In this article, we will discuss the Problems related to Physiotherapy in Geriatric Patients. So, let’s get started.
Problems related to Physiotherapy in Geriatric Patients
The above changes in the systems may lead or make them prone to different problems in the elderly. The
problems are:
• Orthopaedic problems: Fracture neck femur, # surgical neck of humerus, soft tissue injuries joint replacement surgeries, capsulitis, deformities (due to inflammatory, degenerative and metabolic
arthropathies), Colles #, pain syndromes, osteoporosis, problems with gait / posture.
• Respiratory problems: Chronic obstructive airway diseases (COPD), asthma, reduced mechanical efficiency of chest, decreased vital capacity, susceptibility to pneumonia, sluggish cough reflex.
• Cardiovascular problems: Coronary artery disease, congestive cardiac failure, valve disorder, arrhythmias, heart block, infective endocarditis, silent MCI, venous leg ulcers, PVD leading to amputation, oedema.
• Neurological problems: CVA, cerebral tumour, Parkinson’s disease, neuropathies, co-ordination and balance problems, degenerative changes of ANS/PNS, sensory problems
• Psychiatric problems: Depression/anxiety/phobic, dementia, confusions/hallucinations, Delusions/paranoid psychosis, Alzheimer’s disease, hypomania (mood swing)
• Other problems: Hearing problems, visual impairment, speech impairment/taste impairment, learning and memory problem, hypersensitivity/hyposensitivity to pain, oedema, renal/hepatic
problems.
• Social problems: Poverty, loneliness, reduced income, social disengagement.