Falls

[Sarah Vickerstaff]

I have a tendency to fall, when I trip on something I cannot stop myself from going down like a felled tree. I have two metal knees and titianium in my back. My question really is whether this is a common problem for people with lots of metal!

[Tracy Corbett]

Hello, Sarah

Yes, I think that is a very common problem in people who have had the sorts of surgeries you mentioned. There are a number of possible reasons for this, for example:
- the underlying condition/injury may have caused proprioceptive (position sense) and balance issues
- the surgeries and the metalwork can cause differences in your body's proprioceptive sense and balance issues.
- not exercising or moving as much as before can also exacerbate proprioceptive and balance issues.

Your GP may be able to refer you to a balance or falls prevention class. This would help your balance and position sense and help prevent falling. Alternatively, your GP could refer you to your local community rehabilitation team who could assist with balance exercises and falls prevention.

The NHS has some online resources for balance exercises that you could try at home:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/b ... exercises/

[Sarah Vickerstaff]

Hello, Sarah

Yes, I think that is a very common problem in people who have had the sorts of surgeries you mentioned. There are a number of possible reasons for this, for example:
- the underlying condition/injury may have caused proprioceptive (position sense) and balance issues
- the surgeries and the metalwork can cause differences in your body's proprioceptive sense and balance issues.
- not exercising or moving as much as before can also exacerbate proprioceptive and balance issues.

Your GP may be able to refer you to a balance or falls prevention class. This would help your balance and position sense and help prevent falling. Alternatively, your GP could refer you to your local community rehabilitation team who could assist with balance exercises and falls prevention.

The NHS has some online resources for balance exercises that you could try at home:
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/b ... exercises/

Thanks for this!