Correlation between Motor Strategies of Balance Control and Causes of Fall in Post-Operative Elderly Individuals

Abstract

BACKGROUND Falls are very much common in elderly. Fall in geriatric population is one of the common reasons for hospitalization, which may put financial burden on the patient and family. Fall in geriatric population many a times causes fracture and it may lead to serious complications which can threaten life. It may lead to disability and patient may become a handicap. In our study, we identified the correlation between motor strategies of balance control and causes of fall in post-operative elderly individuals. METHODS In this observational study, a total of 100 post-operative elderly individuals who had a fall and who underwent surgery for fracture correction were included. Both males and females in age group of 60 years and above were included. Outcome measures used were balance tests, manual muscle tests and goniometry. RESULTS 28 % individuals had fall due to low level of motor control at ankle joint and 40 % individuals at hip joint. In 16 % of individuals reaching strategy was affected. Suspensory strategy was affected in 10 % of individuals while stepping strategy was affected in 6 % of elderly. Elderly had fall due to weak musculature at hip joint (35 %), knee joint (15 %), ankle joint (30 %) and spine (25 %) irrespective of the individual’s gender. CONCLUSIONS Impairment in motor strategies of balance control such as, hip strategy, stepping strategy, reaching strategy, suspensory strategy, ankle strategy leads to fall in elderly. On the basis of assessment of manual muscle testing (MMT), range of motion and motor strategies of balance control, we concluded that impairment in motor strategies of balance, and reduced joint range of motion lead to falls. KEY WORDS Motor Strategies for Balance Control, Balance Tests, Manual Muscle Testing, Range of Motion