Why do I have trouble with my balance?
Balance problems increase with age. Numerous issues can affect your ability to walk steadily, including, but not limited to:
- Stroke
- Vertigo
- Middle-ear problems
- Parkinson’s disease
- Meniere’s disease
- Arthritis or other joint problems
- Weak muscles or tendons
- Nerve damage (diabetic neuropathy)
How can I be sure that I have a balance problem?
Everyone may trip or fall from time to time but, if you’re older, a trip or fall could be deadly. Approximately 20,000 older men and women die per year due to complications from a fall. If you’re not sure whether you have balance problems, ask yourself:
- Have you fallen in the past?
- Do you frequently slip, trip, or almost fall?
- Do you stumble a lot?
- Do your feet shuffle when you walk?
- Do you ever use the wall or furniture for support when walking?
- Do your legs or ankles feel wobbly or unsteady?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might have a balance problem. As part of your evaluation at Sands Podiatry, Dr. Sands gives you a Fall Assessment test. If you score higher than 10, you have a balance problem.
How can a podiatrist improve my balance?
When Dr. Sands evaluates your balance issues, he also looks for signs of underlying diseases. If he suspects that Parkinson’s disease or another condition causes your balance problems, he may refer to you another specialist.
When your balance problems are caused by diabetic neuropathy, arthritis, or weak muscles or tendons, Dr. Sands recommends physical therapy. He can teach you strengthening and stretching exercises that you can perform at home, too.
He also fits you with an incredibly lightweight fall-prevention device called a Moore Balance Brace (MBB). The lightweight ankle and foot support fits around your lower leg and slips easily into a sneaker or shoe to reduce your risk of falling. The MBB is lighter than a cellphone but strong enough to keep you stable and allows you to walk with confidence.
Dr. Sands also recommends fall-prevention shoes to use with the MBB. Combined with the strengthening exercises you learn in physical therapy, the MBB can reduce your risk of falling by up to 60%.
Don’t risk a life-endangering fall by ignoring your balance problems. Contact Dr. Sands for a Fall Assessment test by filling out the online form or calling his friendly team at Sands Podiatry.
