Citation

Richardson JK, Demott T, Allet L, Kim H, Ashton-Miller JA. Muscle Nerve 2013; 50(3): 437-442.

Affiliation

University of Michigan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/mus.24134

PMID

24282041

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: We determined lower limb neuromuscular capacities associated with falls and fall-related injuries in older people with declining peripheral nerve function. METHODS: Thirty-two subjects (67.4 ± 13.4 years; 19 with type 2 diabetes), representing a spectrum of peripheral neurologic function, were evaluated with frontal plane proprioceptive thresholds at the ankle, frontal plane motor function at the ankle and hip, and prospective follow-up for 1 year. RESULTS: Falls and fall-related injuries were reported by 20 (62.5%) and 14 (43.8%) subjects, respectively. The ratio of hip adductor rate of torque development to ankle proprioceptive threshold (Hip(STR) /AnkPRO ) predicted falls (pseudo-R(2) =.726) and injury (pseudo-R(2) =.382). No other variable maintained significance in the presence of Hip(STR) /AnkPRO . DISCUSSION: Fall and injury risk in the population studied is related inversely to Hip(STR) /AnkPRO . Increasing rapidly available hip strength in patients with neuropathic ankle sensory impairment may decrease risk of falls and related injuries. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Language: en