Preventing Falls and Fractures in People With Joint Disease
Published by Dr Oliver Khoo at Sunday, November 2, 2025
Living with joint disease often means managing pain, stiffness, and mobility challenges. However, one of the most serious yet preventable risks is falling — a single slip or misstep can lead to fractures, reduced mobility, or even long-term loss of independence.
The good news? Most falls are preventable. By improving balance, muscle strength, and home safety, people with joint conditions can remain active and independent while significantly reducing their risk of injury.
This guide explores how to strengthen stability, adjust your environment, and take proactive steps toward safer daily living.
Joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and degenerative joint conditions can affect how the body moves and reacts. Pain, stiffness, and weakness may make it difficult to respond quickly to changes in balance, especially when walking or climbing stairs.
In addition, medications for joint pain or inflammation may cause dizziness or fatigue, further increasing fall risk.
Common causes of falls among people with joint disease include:
Understanding these factors is the first step toward preventing accidents before they happen.
1.Building Better Balance
Balance is one of the most important — and most trainable — components of fall prevention. The ability to stay upright relies on coordination between the inner ear, eyes, muscles, and joints.
As joint pain progresses, people often unconsciously alter their gait (how they walk) to reduce discomfort. Over time, this can weaken balance control.
Here are ways to improve balance safely:
Gentle activities that strengthen the core and leg muscles also improve stability. Examples include:
Standing tall and aligning your spine properly can help distribute body weight evenly across your joints. This prevents unnecessary strain on the knees and hips.
Don’t hesitate to use walking aids such as canes or walkers if recommended by a healthcare provider. These can enhance confidence and reduce fear of falling.
Strong muscles act as natural shock absorbers for the joints. When your muscles — especially in the thighs, hips, and core — are strong, you move more efficiently and with better stability.
Low-resistance training using light weights, bands, or even body weight can build strength without straining joints.
Examples include:
Gentle stretching helps maintain joint flexibility. Morning or evening stretches can reduce stiffness and help joints move freely throughout the day.
Activities like walking, swimming, or stationary cycling build endurance and coordination. Aim for 20–30 minutes most days, adjusting intensity based on comfort and ability.
Many falls occur not outdoors but inside the home — where you spend most of your time. Simple modifications can dramatically reduce risks.
Here’s a room-by-room checklist for safer living:
While environmental adjustments are important, lifestyle changes also play a major role in maintaining safety and mobility.
Schedule regular visits with your doctor or orthopaedic specialist to review joint function, pain management, and medication side effects.
Poor vision or hearing can affect balance and spatial awareness, making falls more likely.
Some pain relievers or anti-inflammatory medications can cause dizziness or drowsiness. Your GP can adjust dosages or timing to reduce side effects.
Chronic pain can make people hesitant to move — but immobility worsens weakness. Seek a balanced approach to pain management, possibly including physiotherapy or gentle exercise under guidance.
Dehydration can cause dizziness, while calcium- and vitamin D-rich foods support bone health and reduce fracture risk.
Even with precautions, falls can occur. Knowing how to respond quickly can limit injury severity.
If you have recurring balance issues, difficulty walking, or frequent falls, speak with your GP or an orthopaedic specialist such as Dr Oliver Khoo. He can evaluate your joint health, recommend strengthening programs, and identify underlying causes that increase your fall risk.
Joint stiffness, muscle weakness, and changes in walking patterns make it harder to maintain balance, increasing the risk of slips or trips.
Low-impact, balance-focused activities like Tai Chi, yoga, or gentle strength training help improve stability and coordination.
Yes. Physiotherapists design targeted exercise plans to strengthen key muscles and retrain balance safely.
Even if you feel fine, it’s best to get checked by a doctor. Some injuries, especially fractures, may not cause immediate pain.
Encourage safe home modifications, participate in exercise routines together, and ensure medical and mobility aids are properly adjusted and maintained.