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Balance Assessment and Fall Prevention
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Are You Ever Dizzy, Unsteady or Afraid of Falling?
During my medical career, many of my patients with orthopedic problems also experienced problems with their balance. As a result, I decided to add an integrative Balance Assessment and Fall Prevention Program to the practice. This program, the only one of its kind in Pueblo, offers balance evaluation and training designed especially for individuals with balance and mobility problems.
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Falls Can Kill
Have you or one of your loved ones experienced a balance-related problem? Don’t wait until your balance issues cripple you - take action now. Falls are a huge problem and not just for seniors. Consider these statistics:
- Falls are the leading cause of injury in older adults and this dangerous loss of balance leads to more than 250,000 hip fractures annually. These fractures are deadly: they result in a 35% mortality rate within the first year of injury.
- Each year, approximately 40% of the U.S.population age 65 and over experience falls. Half of our seniors who fall do so repeatedly.
- One half of older Americans that are hospitalized for fall-related injuries are discharged to nursing homes.
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What Causes Dizziness & Loss of Balance? (Vestibular Disorders)
In most cases, balance problems originate within three systems integrated by the brain: the inner ears; eyes; and our muscles, joints and nerves. The brain processes this information and directs instructions back to our bodies enabling us to walk, turn, and bend easily. If one, or any combination, of these systems develops a problem, then dizziness or a loss of balance will usually occur. Even a sense of being unsteady is a sign that a balance evaluation is needed. |
What Can Be Done to Help? (Vestibular Therapy)
In a safe, controlled setting, our clinic will use the latest technology to test your balance and mobility skills. The test is simple, totally painless and non-invasive. If the results reveal a problem, I will personally discuss the findings with you and how we may be able to help you. If you do have a problem that we can help with and you choose to participate in our treatment program, then we will design a training program customized to meet each patient's individual needs. |
Be Proactive with Your Health
Be proactive now by setting an appointment for a Balance Evaluation with the medical experts at Premier Back Rehabilitation Center. To do so or for more information about the integrative balance program, please contact us at (719) 544-1161 |
What is a Videonystagmography (VNG)
Videonystagmography (VNG) is designed to test inner ear and central motor functions. VNG testing is considered the new standard for testing inner ear functions over Electronystagmography (ENG), this is due to the fact that a VNG measures the movements of the eyes directly through infrared cameras, instead of measuring the mastoid muscles around the eyes with electrodes like the previous ENG version. VNG testing is considered to be more accurate, consistent, and comfortable for the patient. Due to these facts, a superior test is more easily achieved.
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When is an VNG used?
VNG testing is used to determine if a vestibular (inner ear) disease may be causing a balance or dizziness problem. A VNG test is one of the only tests available today that can decipher between a unilateral (one ear) and bilateral (both ears) vestibular loss. VNG testing is a series of tests designed to document a person's ability to follow visual objects with their eyes and how well the eyes respond to information from the vestibular system.
This test also addresses the functionality of each ear and if a vestibular deficit may be the cause of a dizziness or balance problem. To monitor the movements of the eyes, infrared goggles are placed around the eyes to record eye movements during testing. VNG testing is non-invasive, and only minor discomfort is felt by the patients during testing as a result of wearing goggles. Appointments usually last about 1.5 hours, and testing is covered by all insurances.
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What Does a VNG Test Entail?
A VNG test consists of four parts. These parts include:
- Ocular Mobility - You will be asked to have your eyes follow objects that jump from place to place, stand still, or move smoothly. The technician will be looking for any slowness or inaccuracies in your ability to follow visual targets. This may indicate a central or neurological problem, or possibly a problem in the pathway connecting the vestibular system to the brain.
- Optokinetic Nystagmus - You will be asked to view a large, continuously moving visual image to see if your eyes can appropriately track these movements. Like the ocular mobility tests, the technician will be looking for any slowness or inaccuracies in your ability to follow visual targets. This may indicate a central or neurological problem, or possibly a problem in the pathway connecting the vestibular system to the brain.
- Positional Nystagmus - The technician will move your head and body into various positions to make sure that there are no inappropriate eye movements (nystagmus), when your head is in different positions. This test is looking at your inner ear system and the condition of the endolymph fluid in your semi-circular canals. The technician is verifying that small calcium carbonate particles called otoconia are not suspended in the fluid and causing a disturbance to the flow of the fluid.
The technician will stimulate both of your inner ears (one at a time) with warm and then cold air. They will be monitoring the movements of your eyes using goggles to make sure that both of your ears can sense this stimulation. This test will confirm that your vestibular system for each ear is working and responding to stimulation. This test is the only test available that can decipher between both unilateral and bilateral hearing loss. |
What sensations am I going to experience during a VNG?
You may become weak, dizzy, or nauseated during a videonystagmogram. You may feel as though you are going to fall down during testing. Care will be taken to make sure that you do not fall. The effects of the test are temporary. The level of discomfort caused by a videonystagmogram depends on the reason for having the test. If you are having the test done due to periods of dizziness or vertigo, you may find that the test causes your condition to worsen temporarily. |
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Other resources for information on VNGs:
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