Impact of Pelvic Joint Stiffness on the Fear of Falling in Subjects Aged Over 75 Years

The pelvic girdle is the mechanical structure at the center of the balance and walking systems. The lack of amplitude of the joints that compose it could induce a fear of falling, common in the geriatric population and often underdiagnosed with poorly identified risk factors. Fear of falling is defined as the enduring preoccupation with falling, leading the person to avoid activities that they are capable of doing. It modifies its behavior and affects its quality of life, its well-being and increases the risk of developing pathologies linked to the lack of physical activities. Joint stiffness is a major disorder in the elderly linked to bone and joint aging, but also to lack of mobilization. The pelvic girdle is the mechanical structure at the center of the balance and gait systems. The lack of amplitude of the joints that compose it could induce a fear of falling.

This study seeks to highlight whether there is an association between the fear of falling and the lack of amplitude of the different joints of the pelvic girdle.

Inclusion criteria

• Subjects aged over 75 years hospitalized or in institution in the geriatric department of GHSIF (Groupe Hospitalier Sud -Ile-de France)

Exclusion criteria

• Patients that have undergone a lumbar surgery
• Patients with hospital diagnosed cognitive troubles