Falling Over - Does anything Cause It???

[EvelynMW]

Over the last 2 weeks, i have fallen over twice when out dog walking. In both cases, i had stopped looking at where my feet were going, and tripped over a tree root.

I have seen a number of mentioning falling over as their first sign of MND. My question is, when falling over, was there an identifiable cause, or did it happen without any god reason?

I would be very interested in some replies, over to you......

[Karen62]

Over the past two weeks, I have had 7 falls at the most random times. Each time, it has been really hot so I felt really tired and my knees have just buckled under me. Since this is my first summer since diagnosis so not sure if it’s the heat that is making my symptoms worse or whether it is just normal progression

[EvelynMW]

Karen62 That suggests no direct cause, unless it was the unbearable heat. Have you hurt yourself much? My elbows aren't very pretty now, not that they ever were! The worst bit is the double chin i have gained, a lump and bruise right under my chin! Bruised ribs too, and some secret bruises (under my clothes).

As you say you have been diagnosed already, what signs were you showing ?

[Maria C]

My first fall was in January of 2020. My husband and I were out for a walk, my foot dropped, and I fell flat on my face. Several months later, I tripped over my own toe again, falling hard. In both cases, I had stopped paying attention to how and where I was placing my feet.

The next few falls were caused by leg weakness and circumstances. In one case, I caught the wheel of my rollator on a box on the floor. It stopped me suddenly and as my knees were bent, I couldn’t finish my step forward. I went down on my knees holding the rollator so I didn’t get hurt. Another fall was caused by my toe getting caught in tall grass. Again, I didn’t have the leg strength to stand up from the lunge position I was in.

This year my legs have given out on my twice. Both times, my right leg just wobbled under me and I collapsed. My husband was behind me and kept me from falling backwards. I had also had difficulties with standing and transferring so I know these last falls were just from progression.

[MMG]

My husband had a series of falls in one week, balance just went. Possibly due to core muscle weakness. His legs are still quite strong, but he is now unable to stand or move them independently.

[Karen62]

Karen62 That suggests no direct cause, unless it was the unbearable heat. Have you hurt yourself much? My elbows aren't very pretty now, not that they ever were! The worst bit is the double chin i have gained, a lump and bruise right under my chin! Bruised ribs too, and some secret bruises (under my clothes).

As you say you have been diagnosed already, what signs were you showing ?

EvelynMW my first symptoms were in about June last year, my left knee was giving way and then I got foot drop in my left foot. By Christmas I had weakness in my hands and was diagnosed in March. I am still mobile around the house with a frame but as I said yesterday, have had more falls. Fortunately apart from a couple of bruises I haven’t hurt myself- I have learnt very quickly to try and relax as I go down which seems to help. I am looking forward to the 1st August when I finally get my powerchair!

[WheelsOfSteel]

Yeah, foot drop with me too. My left ankle going floppy was my first sign, and I had to walk strangely lifting my foot high to "flop" the foot forwards. Any lapse in concentration and I would forget to pick my foot up high enough, then my toe would hit the floor and cause a stumble.
One occasion when I was still at work I ended up flat on my face but managed to keep the coffee I had just bought upright and saved most of it. ☕
" Oh gravity, though art a heartless bitch".

[denise]

Stephen just goes down. He can walk down stairs and be fine then just hits the floor. Yes theres a balance issue, too far over and he goes down. No time to even protect his face. Try explaining that to ambulance people or even GP as to why he ends up on the floor, I just say it's a symptom of MND. It's very scary, I'm frightened for him and feel so useless trying to get help. I wish I knew why then perhaps we could anticipate it but after all these years I'm non the wiser.

[Stevedp]

My partner reckons I'm moving to quickly. Having to relearn to walk(foot drop left leg) has been a steep learning curve I've fallen 6 times mostly when turning around I forget to lift me foot up. Surprised I haven't broken me big toe. I now slow down and take my time I still catch me toe but because I've slowed down been lucky not to fall

[Tabbycat]

All my initial falls were due to lower leg muscle weakness, although I only know this now, at the time I dismissed it as feeling tired, not concentrating etc as it was so infrequent.

Footdrop, catching my toe as others have described, sometimes appearing to trip over nothing other times, slightly raised paving, tripping up curbs etc.

Then it progressed to involve stability at my ankle with me turning my ankle walking on slightly uneven ground (grass, cobbles, uneven paving) any kind of heal on my shoe.

I had Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO's) from orthotics dept which helped alot, keeping my ankles stable and limiting the footdrop. They kept me mobile and reduced effort in walking.

[denise]

Stephen hasn't got anything wrong with his feet or legs. If he did I would get it. I would have got it if he fell after going up stairs, exertion, stress on muscles but no. 🤷♀️

[TinyLady]

My first falls were trips due to foot drop. If I forgot to swing my leg to the side (I didn't realise I was walking in such a weird way) because my hip was too weak to pick up my foot high enough. At first just the left, then both.

The foot drop in both feet has progressed. I can't actually walk at all now but I can "slide" a step forward or too if I have something solid to hold on to in my right hand. I can't lift either foot off the floor when standing.

Mostly my falls now are backwards and balance related. I just cannot keep myself upright at all. If I am sliding a couple of steps or standing, my carer has to stay behind me and hold on to me gently, especially on carpet.... feet just don't go!

[WheelsOfSteel]

download.jpg We should contact these chaps

[Ellie]

If you want one answer to the Does Anything Cause It?, here it is:

We have a predisposition for falling due to changes in strength, balance, endurance, and muscle tone, particularly of the lower legs and feet, all of which change our gait and lead to postural instability.

Plus, damage to motor neurons interrupts the signal telling our arms to break the fall so, when we do fall, we really fall - all in all, we’re doomed…

[denise]

See when shes not nagging us shes filling us with words of, as Elsie put it, DOOM. 😮