ankle problem, but sometimes these deficits may
have been what led to the foot/ankle problem.
When the foot/ankle is “healed” that doesn’t
always mean the person starts to immediately
walk properly again. Depending on how long
he or she may have been compensating, the
body will have learned this movement pattern
as the “right” pattern. The body and brain
need to be retrained to adopt more normalized
gait and movement patterns. Not addressing
these gait deficits puts the client at risk for falls
and risks compensatory injuries/strains up the
kinetic chain. Physical therapy can assess gait
mechanics, falls risk, leg strength deficits and
then start an individualized care plan to restore
functional mobility, patient safety and minimize
likelihood of further injury.
Clients coming in for diabetic footwear and
inserts often have deficits in balance related
to neuropathy, and impaired functional
mobility related to leg weakness and decreased
cardiovascular health/fitness. Unaddressed,
these deficits can relate to further complications
in ambulation, mobility, skin integrity and falls
risk. Decreased mobility is directly related to
increased mortality rate. A suggestion to be
evaluated by a physical therapist will help to
improve the client’s safety and quality of life.
All the clien