[Falls and gait alterations in elderly].
There is a higher frequency of falls in the elderly than in young people, due to age related physiological changes in gait. There is a lower amplitude of pelvic movements that affects gait efficiency. Equilibrium is also disturbed since the trunk assumes the leadership of gait, displacing the pelvis. Many diseases of elderly individuals, such as Parkinson disease, spastic paraparesis, cerebrovascular accidents or neuropathies, further impair the gait. Therefore, after the age of 65, all falls must be considered symptomatic.
Cartier
Luis
L
Departamento de Neurología, Hospital del Salvador, Av. Salvador 364, Santiago de Chile.
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000150:complications*
Caídas y alteraciones de la marcha en los adultos mayores.