Fall Prevention and Balance Care

What You Need To Know

How podiatry helps assess balance, reduce fall risk, and keep you moving with confidence.

Fall Prevention Through Podiatric Care

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.

Falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospital visits among adults over 65, but they also affect younger individuals with balance impairments. 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.

Several factors contribute to an increased fall risk, including weak or unstable ankles, neuropathy (nerve damage) that reduces sensation in the feet, poor posture and coordination due to aging or medical conditions, muscle weakness that affects movement and stability, side effects of medications 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, have ankle weakness, foot pain, or neuropathy, notice changes in your gait or difficulty standing on one foot, or feel nervous about walking on uneven surfaces or stairs. Addressing these concerns early can help you maintain independence and prevent serious injuries.

Balance Testing and the Moore Balance Brace

The Life in Balance Test is a comprehensive assessment used by podiatrists to evaluate a person’s stability, gait, and risk of falling. It includes gait evaluation to identify walking abnormalities, postural assessment to check for improper alignment or weakness, ankle and foot strength testing to measure stability, and a fall history review to determine past incidents and risk factors. This test is particularly useful for detecting early signs of imbalance before a fall occurs.

Based on the results of this test, a podiatrist can develop a personalized treatment plan, which may include the Moore Balance Brace, custom orthotics, physical therapy, or other interventions. The Moore Balance Brace (MBB) is a lightweight, custom-made ankle-foot orthosis designed to improve stability and reduce fall risk. Unlike traditional braces, the MBB is tailored for individuals experiencing balance issues due to weakness, neuropathy, or instability.

The MBB 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 functionality. It is lightweight and easy to wear with most types of footwear.

Custom orthotics, targeted balance exercises, supportive footwear with non-slip soles, and treatment of underlying neuropathy also play important roles in stability. A podiatrist can help you combine these tools into a plan that fits your daily life and gives you steadier, more confident movement.