Finding and Fixing Your Fall-Risk Factors

Samantha Stauffer, CPO, MSOP, Dr. J. Megan Sions, PT, DPT, PhD, & John Horne, CPO

Preventing a fall can be a daily concern for people living with lower-limb loss. For some, a fall is merely a nuisance, while for others it may lead to severe injury. Over half of adults with lower-limb amputations report at least one fall in the past 12 months, with injury occurring in over 40% of cases.¹ This thought in the back of your mind may lead you to avoid certain activities, like going to a crowded area, or to the park, or a walk on a poorly maintained sidewalk – but did you know that most falls actually occur in the comfort of your own home?²

What puts me at risk of a fall?

There are many factors that contribute to how likely you are to have a fall. Some are outside of your control, like your age,^1,3 the cause of your amputation,^1,4 or what how high your leg was amputated.^1,5 However, there are some risk factors that you have the power to change.

What can I do to prevent falls?

At the Amputee Coalition National Conference in Palm Desert, CA, you have the opportunity to sit down with a physical therapist and prosthetists to discuss what may put you at risk for a fall, as well as what you can do to prevent them. They will guide you through how to interpret a self-assessment of your balance confidence and how it may influence your physical and social activity.^6,7

But what if I do fall?

These healthcare professionals will demonstrate how to fall safely to minimize risk of injury and will teach you different strategies to get up from a fall if you have someone else with you or if you are alone. You will also learn signs that you may have a significant injury and should call for help before trying to move.

Learn more at the live session at the National Conference on Friday, August 12^th at 10:45 am.

References

1. Hunter SW, Batchelor F, Hill KD, et al. Risk Factors for Falls in People With a Lower Limb Amputation: A Systematic Review. PM R 2017; 9: 170-180.e1.
2. Anderson CB, Miller MJ, Murray AM, et al. Falls After Dysvascular Transtibial Amputation: A Secondary Analysis of Falling Characteristics and Reduced Physical Performance. PM R 2021; 13: 19–29.
3. Pauley T, Devlin M, Heslin K. Falls Sustained During Inpatient Rehabilitation After Lower Limb Amputation. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2006; 85: 521–532.
4. Yu JC, Lam K, Nettel-Aguirre A, et al. Incidence and Risk Factors of Falling in the Postoperative Lower Limb Amputee While on the Surgical Ward. PM&R 2010; 2: 926–934.
5. Miller WC, Speechley M, Deathe B. The prevalence and risk factors of falling and fear of falling among lower extremity amputees. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2001; 82: 1031–1037.
6. Mandel A, Paul K, Paner R, et al. Balance confidence and activity of community-dwelling patients with transtibial amputation. J Rehabil Res Dev 2016; 53: 551–560.
7. Miller WC, Deathe AB. The influence of balance confidence on social activity after discharge from prosthetic rehabilitation for first lower limb amputation. Prosthetics Orthot Int 2011; 35: 379–385.