Falls Flashcards
Name some neuropsychiatric causes of falls?
- Visual impairment
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Cognitive or mood impairment
- Dementia, depression, delirium
Name some cardiovascular causes of falls?
- Syncope
- Postural hypotension
- Carotid sinus syndrome
Name some MSK causes of falls?
- Joint buckling
- Deconditioning due to immobility
Name some environmental causes of falls?
- Polypharmacy
- Substance abuse
- Loose rugs, poor tiling, poor lighting etc
Name some urgent considerations when assessing a fall?
- Sudden change to alertness or LOC
- New head trauma
- Pain suggesting portential fracture
Name some important aspects of a falls history?
- Circumstances surround the fall
- Location
- Activity at the time
- Injury related to the fall
- Associated symptoms concurrently
- LOC, CV symptions, pain
What should be the focus of a falls examination?
- Factors contributing to a fall
- Identication of any fall-related injuries
- Fall risk factors to correct
Common differentials for a fall?
- Stroke/TIA
- Joint buckling
- Medicine effects or polypharmacy
- Visual impairment
What is the probably cause of an antalgic gait?
Arthropathy
What is the probably cause of an waddling gait?
Proximal myopathy
What is the probably cause of an stamping gait?
Sensory neuropathy
What is the probably cause of a gait with foot drop?
- Radiculopathy
- Peripheral neuropathy
What is the probably cause of an ataxic gait?
Sensory neuropathy or cerebellar disease
What is the probably cause of a shuffling gait?
Parkinsons
What is the probably cause of Marche a petitis pas?
Cerebral hemisphere disease
