Gait disorders in the elderly
What is it?
The elderly have a slow, unstable or biomechanically committed march to be ineffective to move normally.
Causes
Aging or pathology
- Sensory and cognitive alterations (visual, auditory, dementia decrease)
- Neuromuscular alterations, myopathies
- Neurological Alterations
- Joint pathology
- Iatrogenic alterations (relaxing drugs, surgery)
Symptoms
- Rigid march, envarada and less flexible.
- Decreased speed and stride length
- These variations are formed with the objective of a safer march, but with a greater energy expenditure in the wandering.
Signs?
- Loss of muscle strength
- Muscle fiber atrophy
- Decrease in joint movements and decreased movements.
- Increase the base of support by separating the heels
- Decrease or disappearance of the stroke
- Flexion reduction:
- Planting in takeoff: decrease in vertical reaction force
- Dorsal in the heel shock phase: decrease in pressure peaks during support
- Appearance of kyphosis, for decreased pelvic rotations, elasticity and flexibility of ligaments and tendons, thus flexing the joints
- Bent over posture with knee flexion
How can we prevent feet problems?
- Walk for 30-60 minutes four or six days a week, gradually increasing time
- Right shoe, stable and with maneuvering margin. Enough to keep the heel to slide
- Buy shoes in the afternoon, having swollen feet
- Avoid walking with bad weather and slippery surfaces. Walk in illuminated places
- Examine feet after walking
- Avoid cotton socks
- Do not walk if there is pain
Autores: rakel albizu, leire area, sara farré, jaquelina roig-
