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Current and Emerging Trends in the Management of Fall Risk in People with Lower Limb Amputation

  • Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation (O Addison, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

People living with lower limb amputation are at an increased risk of falling compared with the healthy geriatric population. Factors of increased age and increased number of comorbidities could compound the already increased risk. The purpose of this article is to highlight recent research associated with fall risk in amputees and provide the reader with evidence to help guide clinical interventions.

Recent Findings

Though research on the topic of falls in people with amputation is becoming more common, there is still a dearth of evidence regarding what contributes to increased fall risk and how to address it in this population. There are recent studies that have examined therapy and prosthetic interventions that could mitigate fall risk in people with amputation, yet there is not enough evidence to develop a consensus on the topic. More research is required to determine what contributes to increased fall rates in people with amputation, and what detriments to an amputee’s function or psyche may result after incurring a fall.

Summary

Borrowing from what is known about geriatric fall risk and combining the information with novel and existing approaches to fall mitigation in amputees can offer clinicians the opportunity to develop evidence-based programs to address fall risk in their patients with lower limb amputation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physical Therapy, Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Florida International University, 11200 S.W. 8th St., Miami, FL, 33199, USA

    Sheila Clemens

  2. Research Health Scientist, Bruce W. Carter Veterans Affairs Healthcare System, 1201 N.W. 16th St., Miami, FL, 33125, USA

    Sheila Clemens

  3. Division of Physical Therapy, School of Kinesiology and Physical Therapy, University of Central Florida, 12805 Pegasus Dr., Orlando, FL, 32816, USA

    Charissa Doerger

  4. Department of Physical Therapy, School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Pkwy, Box 453029, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA

    Szu-Ping Lee

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  1. Sheila Clemens
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  2. Charissa Doerger
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  3. Szu-Ping Lee
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Correspondence to Sheila Clemens.

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Sheila Clemens, Charissa Doerger and Szu-Ping Lee declare no conflicts of interest.

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Clemens, S., Doerger, C. & Lee, SP. Current and Emerging Trends in the Management of Fall Risk in People with Lower Limb Amputation. Curr Geri Rep 9, 134–141 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-020-00328-4

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