Immobility (especially in elderly)

DDx

  • Weakness, eg, disuse, anemia, malnutrition, electrolyte abnormality, neurologic disorder, myopathy
  • Stiffness, eg, arthritis, parkinsonism, polymyalgia rheumatica
  • Bone pain, eg, vertebral fracture, metastases, Paget’s disease
  • Joint pain, eg, arthritis, hip fracture
  • Bursa or muscle pain, eg, bursitis, polymyalgia rheumatica, claudication, pseudoclaudication (spinal stenosis)
  • Foot pain, eg, ingrown nail, plantar warts, bunions, corns
  • Imbalance (often multifactorial):
    • Neurologic disease, eg, stroke, cervical myelopathy, peripheral neuropathy, vestibular or cerebellar disorder
    • Orthostatic or postprandial hypotension
    • Drugs, eg, antihypertensives, diuretics, sedatives, neuroleptics, antidepressants
  • Anxiety or depression

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Last updated: December 1, 2014