Falls in Elderly with Plantar Changes.

ABSTRACT

Aims: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of falls among older people with plantar changes in order to preserve their autonomy and independence. Study Design: A cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study was conducted based on a sample of elderly people. Place and Duration of the Study Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology at the Federal University of Sao Paulo/UNIFESP - Brazil, between March, 2007 and December, 2008. Methodology: The study sample consisted of 100 elderly people of both genders, aged ≥ 60 years. After patients were included in the study, are search protocol was applied with the following information demographic data (age, gender, race, marital status, housing, and education) and anthropometric data (height, weight, and body mass index (BMI)). Results: The foot types and major injuries were 83% had valgus feet, 52% had flat feet, 64% had skin lesions, 63% had lesions, and 53% had toenail deformities. Regarding the number of falls in the previous year, 40% did not report having fallen, 44% fell at least once, and 16% fell two or more times. The frequency of falls among older people with plantar changes in the present study (60%) was relatively higher than in other studies. About half of the general population will be affected by a change in the foot, and the incidence and severity increase with age. Conclusion: Plantar changes were common among the elderly in this study and can directly affect the balance and gait cycle and, therefore, may be a contributing factor to functional disability and falls in the geriatric population.