Fall Prevention and Physical Therapy

Abstract

Osteoporosis generally remains silent until fall-related fractures occur. Hip fracture is the main cause of morbidity, mortality, and expense related to osteoporosis, but fractures of the pelvis, proximal humerus, distal wrist, ribs and spine represent other important fall-related events. The public health impact of osteoporosis would be vastly reduced if injurious falls could be largely prevented, even without successful interventions to prevent decline in bone density. Only vertebral compression fractures would remain common manifestations of osteoporosis in such a scenario. Thus, attention to fall prevention should be included in the clinical management of osteoporosis patients to reduce the risk of fracture-related pain, mobility impairment, and disability. Assessment of environmental risks, the underlying extent of gait instability and deconditioning, and the nature of any concomitant physical and cognitive impairments will be necessary to construct appropriate individual care plans.