Foot care that prevention of falls in the institutionalized elderly

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The present study was undertaken to investigate the contact surface of toes and foot problems in elderly people. The study was additionally designed to analyze the relationship of these factors to the physical activities of elderly people and their propensity to experience falls. The following results were obtained.1. A relationship between contact surface of toes and falling was suggested for both physically weak elderly individuals and healthy elderly individuals.2. Foot problems were noted in about 40% of all elderly people. Elderly people with foot problems tended to experience multiple falls, even on flat surfaces, and to experience fall-related injuries.3. The contact pressure of toes in elderly people was higher when they stood leaning forward than when they stood upright. The subjects were divided by contact surface of toes into three groups: Group I (toe contacting the floor during both when they were leaning forward and standing upright), Group II (toe contact only when they were leaning forward) and Group III (no toe contact while they were leaning forward or standing upright). Contact pressure of the big toe was highest in Group II. Fluctuation of the center of gravity was large in the order of Group III > I > II. The percentage of people having experienced falls was about 20% in Group I and III and 8.8% in Group II. No correlation was found between toe contact pattern and foot problems.These results suggest that appropriate care of the toes, which are intimately involved in postural stabilization, is useful for preventing elderly people from experiencing falls.