FALLS
ANSWER
TO CASE PRESENTATION QUESTION
Q: What potential factors could
contribute to falls in this case?
A: Potential contributors
include:
- Leg weakness: confers a
5-fold increase in fall risk
- Gait disorder secondary to
Parkinson's
- Common manifestations include
postural instability, unsteadiness on feet
- Gait disorders confer a
3-fold increase in fall risk
- Medications
- Furosemide (nocturia/
vestibular toxicity)
- Carbidopa/levodopa (could
cause postural hypotension, though postural changes not present in
this case)
- Diazepam (sedative,
associated with increased fall risk)
- Multiple
medications
- Bunion
deformity
- Cognitive
impairment
- Increased number of risk
factors associated with increased risk of falling
Household factors (e.g.,
clutter) may be important; more information is needed
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Disclaimer
Copyright 1999, 2000 David A. Gruenewald, M.D. and
Kayla I. Brodkin, M.D. All rights reserved.