Foot problems, functional impairment, and falls in older people

Falls in older people are common and may lead to considerable disability. A lthough a number of risk factors for falling have been identified, the role of foot problems has received relatively little attention in the literatur e. This article reviews the literature pertaining to the prevalence of foot problems in older people and discusses the relationship of foot problems t o functional impairment and falls. In addition, a number of theoretical con siderations regarding specific foot conditions and postural instability are outlined.