Which functional impairment increases fall risk in peripheral neuropathy?

Which functional impairment increases fall risk in peripheral neuropathy?

• A. Improved balance with practice
• B. Inability to maintain unipedal stance for 10 seconds in three tries
• C. Increased toe strength
• D. Faster gait speed

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that falls risk in peripheral neuropathy rises when balance and postural control are impaired, especially when sensory feedback from the feet is compromised. Holding a unipedal stance for 10 seconds requires accurate proprioception, ankle and hip stability, and the ability to execute timely corrective steps. If a person cannot maintain that single-leg stance across multiple attempts, it reflects substantial deficits in balance and protective postural responses, which directly increase the chance of a fall in everyday activities. Improving balance with practice would reduce risk, so that option doesn’t fit as an impairment. Increasing toe strength would enhance stability and push-off, also reducing risk. Faster gait speed typically indicates better functional status rather than an impairment, though it can be risky if balance is poor, but it’s not the impairment described.

The key idea is that falls risk in peripheral neuropathy rises when balance and postural control are impaired, especially when sensory feedback from the feet is compromised. Holding a unipedal stance for 10 seconds requires accurate proprioception, ankle and hip stability, and the ability to execute timely corrective steps. If a person cannot maintain that single-leg stance across multiple attempts, it reflects substantial deficits in balance and protective postural responses, which directly increase the chance of a fall in everyday activities.

Improving balance with practice would reduce risk, so that option doesn’t fit as an impairment. Increasing toe strength would enhance stability and push-off, also reducing risk. Faster gait speed typically indicates better functional status rather than an impairment, though it can be risky if balance is poor, but it’s not the impairment described.