title: Polio survivors: falls and subsequent injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study examines the frequency of falls in polio survivors and their resulting morbidity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two groups, fallers vs. nonfallers, were investigated in this descriptive study. A total of 233 polio survivors volunteered to complete a structured questionnaire on fall history and sequelae.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the study participants, 64% had fallen within the previous year, and 61% had falls for which they received medical attention, including 35% who had at least one fracture. There was not a correlation between age and falling, but there was a strong correlation between tripping and falling.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Falls with resultant injuries are a significant issue for polio survivors that warrants further study. Because tripping was predictive of falling in this sample, bracing should be considered as a treatment or preventative measure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: Julie K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Silver
authors.forename: Dorothy D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Aiello
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001915:Braces; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000150:complications*; D017741:Survivors; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000209:etiology*