Aches and pain increase risk of falls

Older adults are susceptible to falling—over one-third of people 65 years and older in the US fall each year. About 20-30% of falls are estimated to result in moderate to serious injuries, ranging from bruises through fracture to head trauma (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). Risk factors include low physical function, medications, vision impairment and medications. The authors of a new study felt that chronic pain might be an unexplored risk factor for falling.