Why Everyone Is at Risk for Falls

When we hear about falls, our minds often jump to seniors. But the truth is, a fall can happen to anyone, at any age, and the feet are almost always a central part of the story. For people who are not in their golden years, falls are the result of specific foot conditions, injuries, or circumstances that compromise their balance and stability. We at Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, explain who’s most at risk in the following sections.

Athletes and Chronic Ankle Instability

Despite being in peak physical condition, athletes are at a significant risk for falls. Of course, contact sports require falling as part of the rules (via tackling). But with this come injuries: ankle sprains, overuse injuries, stress fractures, and plantar fasciitis can all cause a subtle limp, which throws off balance and increases the risk of a tumble. Some of these could even lead to chronic ankle instability, where the ankle feels like it can give at any moment and cause you to fall.

Gait Abnormalities

Limps are just the start of it. Overuse injuries like Achilles tendonitis or shin splints can cause pain and inflammation and alter the way you walk. This unsteady stride is a major contributor to slips, trips, and falls.

Chronic Conditions

Young adults with chronic health conditions are at a higher risk of falling, especially if those conditions affect their feet. For example, young-onset forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, can cause pain, stiffness, and inflammation in the joints of the feet and ankles. This limits your flexibility and makes it harder to react to missteps.

Other conditions like neuropathy can also lead to numbness and a loss of sensation (and therefore a sense of balance) with the ground.

The Unsuspecting Hazards

Beyond health conditions, certain daily habits and circumstances can increase the risk of a fall. For example, wearing shoes with worn-out treads, carrying a heavy backpack that throws off your center of gravity, or simply walking in unsupportive shoes all diminish your stability.

Also think of:

The pet owner: If you’re a pet owner, you might be at a higher risk of falling because your pet’s unpredictable movements can easily trip you.

The cluttered house: A cluttered home, with things like electrical cords and loose rugs, is a major fall hazard for anyone, regardless of age or lifestyle.

New parents: face an increased risk of falls from sleep deprivation, distraction, and carrying a baby or a large amount of baby gear.

The chef: The kitchen is a high-risk area for a home chef. Wet floors and the need to move quickly can easily lead to a fall.

For any questions about foot health and wellness, reach out to the tenured staff at My Chicago Foot Expert by calling (773) 561-8100 or by clicking here to schedule an appointment with Cook County podiatrist Stavros O. Alexopoulos, DPM, in our modern, comfortable Ravenswood office today.