Title

Balance And Gait Training To Reduce Fall Risk In A Patient With Bilateral Foot And Hand Deformities Secondary To Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report

Creator

Kirsten Bombardier, University of New EnglandFollow

Faculty Advisor(s)

Amy J. Litterini

Files

Description

Each year, one out of three adults over the age of 65 sustains a fall. Although the risk of suffering a fall increases with age, falls are not an unavoidable aspect of the aging process. Fall risk can be heightened in patients with medical comorbidities that impact the physiological senses which help maintain balance. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects the lining of the joints and causes painful swelling that can eventually result in bone erosion and joint deformity. The fall incidence rate in individuals with RA is 0.62 falls per person per year as compared to a fall incidence rate of 0.45 falls per person per year in healthy elderly individuals. The purpose of this case report was to provide an overview of the physical therapy plan of care for a patient at high risk for falls. Procedural interventions focused on balance and gait training while accommodating for the patient’s bilateral foot and hand deformities secondary to RA.

Publication Date

11-17-2015

Disciplines

Physical Therapy

Related Materials

The case report paper for this poster can be found here:

http://dune.une.edu/pt_studcrpaper/29

Preferred Citation

Bombardier, Kirsten, "Balance And Gait Training To Reduce Fall Risk In A Patient With Bilateral Foot And Hand Deformities Secondary To Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case Report" (2015). Case Report Posters. Poster 49.
https://dune.une.edu/pt_studcrposter/49