Can We Be Taught How to Avoid an MS Fall?

I have been having a physiotherapist come to My home to teach me exercises that could help me get up by myself , if I do fall ....but also to strengthen my legs to prevent falls .
I use a rollator walker in the house.
Thanks for your article.
Helpful , as usual.

I just fell Wednesday morning on both my knees and do they hurt now! I was coming into the house from my patio and my two Goldens went in first and then decided they wanted to go back out. Luckily I was holding onto the door handle and braced myself a little, but still! I don't want to get rid of the dogs (yet!), but this is my third fall in the past 18 months, all of them my fault.

I do a lot of things to keep from falling but the thing all those efforts have in common is just slowing down a bit. I'm not talking about a crawl but I did move much faster in the past. Working on my core strength at the gym has also helped. I've had several broken bones from falls in the past so not falling is very important to me.

Hi Ed - Like you, I learnt fall techniques when I was young in pre-MS days doing gym leaps and tumbles. My three rules are (1) Don't extend your hand to break your fall. It won't break the fall, but it may well break your hand (or arm), (2) Crumple up at the knees and waist, (3) Twist around to take the fall evenly down the side of the body. For me, it is fortunately automatic - there is only a split second for it to click in when going down.

So falls prevention it is. Keep paths clear and check for hazards on the floor. Always use the appropriate level of walking aids. Keep areas well-lit. Handrails in wet or uneven areas. I'm sure there are more rules or guidelines.

I think this is a great idea to look into.

I'm fairly young (35) and I've fallen once due to the MS. As soon as I did I tried thinking of ways to make falling safer as it seems that it's inevitable for me with my balance issues.

Immediately I thought that some sort of tumbling exercises and practice would be a good idea. Gymnastics perhaps.

Most of my falls happen when one of my legs will just give way under me and I crash to the floor like a ton of bricks. Not sure how this risk can be mitigated or reduced as it happens totally without warning, and the physios also don't know what can be done either. Yes, one solution would be to always use my walker inside my house (I always use it away from home), but my ability to walk at all was extremely hard won after a week in an induced coma and three months in hospital and rehab for a health problem totally unrelated to MS. It's a vexed question because using my walker all the time in my house would be a real nuisance i.e. no hands to do "stuff" because they're on the walker handles, but I would probably dodge the occasional fall. However, the more I use my walker the less I maintain what sense of balance I have left, and as that deteriorates my falls risk increases. Definitely stuck between a rock and a hard place with both sides losing.........

I, too, have been victim to my beloved dogs. For the current bad 68 lb.girl, I've had to modify where and when I walk with her (and the 5 lb.Maltese). If I walk where we'd encounter people or other dogs, she's like Baby Huey --> SO excited that she flies into the air, lunging with all her might to go visit --> and I follow behind her like a kite tail!
And land with an audible "THUD!"

MS has affected my balance, vision, depth perception, and reaction time. I now cruise walls - especially at night. Anthony H has some great rules & suggestions. Thanks so much!

I agree that offering training on how to fall with the least risk of injury would be fabulous. This would benefit us in the emotional hurt also, lessen any feelings of embarrassment. It's important to take several breaths and assess yourself before attempting to get up. You will be hurt but check if you're injured (need medical assistance) and know how to give yourself home care after a fall --> rest, ice, Tylenol, hydrate.

After foot surgery made me even more unsteady and I’d had monthly falls, I started seeing a personal trainer, who was also a physical therapist with an MS mom. He helped me develop my leg strength, coordination & balance. We practiced simulated falls & recovery techniques assuming various injuries. As I lived alone at the time, the boost in confidence was huge. Best $ I ever spent!

I can't say I've got falling down (pun intended)- but do you have any tips for or can you perhaps write about the revese problem! How to get back UP - particularly if alone in the house. Thanks. Always enjoy your articles.

Ed,
As I was reading your article, things started to feel familiar, almost like I'd "been there, done that", especially with falling. But I began to realize that I was doing what you've suggested - fall towards one side.
My husband, friends, and doctors have wondered how I haven't fractured or broken something. Well, a few years ago, I fell into heavy wooden end table and broke (not fractured) ribs.
But in the very last 3 (and final) falls, I realized that it was easier to just pretend I was falling on my side in "slow-mo", rolling up into a small ball, and not using my hands.
So that's always been in the back of my mind.
Then, I'm reading your article about being "taught to avoid an MS fall" and the light bulb went on in my head.
That's what I've been doing!
So I wanted to give you a shout out about how it's working for me, even though I didn't realize what I was doing.
But, in the end, you are correct. Fall prevention education is better than a "OK, you've fallen. Now what?" stance.
I hope you understand what I'm trying to convey in words to you.
:-)
I appreciate this site.
Carolyn