Fall Prevention and Balance Care

What You Need To Know

How podiatric care helps assess balance, reduce fall risk, and protect your mobility.

Understanding Fall Prevention

Falls are a serious health concern, particularly for older adults and individuals with foot and ankle conditions. Each year, millions of people suffer injuries due to falls, leading to fractures, loss of mobility, and long-term disability. Many of these falls are preventable with proper balance assessments, supportive braces, and podiatric treatments.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four adults over 65 falls each year, and fall-related injuries account for over 3 million emergency room visits annually. Falls also affect younger individuals with balance impairments, making early evaluation important at any age.

Several factors contribute to an increased fall risk, including weak or unstable ankles, neuropathy that reduces sensation in the feet, poor posture and coordination, muscle weakness, medication side effects that cause dizziness or drowsiness, and foot pain or improper footwear that increases the risk of tripping.

You should see a podiatrist if you have recently experienced a fall or feel unsteady when walking, if you have ankle weakness, foot pain, or neuropathy, if you notice changes in your gait or difficulty standing on one foot, or if you feel nervous about walking on uneven surfaces or stairs. Scheduling a balance evaluation is the first step toward identifying risk factors and building a personalized plan to keep you steady on your feet.

Balance Testing and Treatment Options

Podiatrists use specialized assessments to evaluate balance and stability. The Life in Balance Test is a comprehensive assessment that includes gait evaluation to identify walking abnormalities, postural assessment to check for improper alignment, ankle and foot strength testing, and a fall history review. Results guide a personalized treatment plan.

The Moore Balance Brace (MBB) is a lightweight, custom-made ankle-foot orthosis designed to improve stability and reduce fall risk. It provides additional ankle and foot support, improves proprioception (the body’s ability to sense foot position and movement), reduces fear of falling, and is custom-fitted for comfort and use with most types of footwear.

Custom orthotics correct foot positioning and provide arch support, absorbing shock, improving weight distribution, and enhancing foot control on various surfaces. Patients with flat feet, high arches, or pronation issues often benefit from these inserts.

Strengthening exercises help improve muscle function in the feet, ankles, and legs. A podiatrist may recommend heel-to-toe walking, single-leg stance practice, and calf raises to build stability. Proper footwear with low, wide heels, non-slip soles, firm heel support, and a proper fit also plays a critical role in preventing slips and trips.

For patients with neuropathy, treatments that improve sensation and circulation can further reduce fall risk. Your podiatrist will combine these approaches into a plan tailored to your needs, helping you maintain independence and move with greater confidence.