Patient/caregiver was educated on fall safety and precautions for gouty arthritis patients as follows:
- Individuals with arthritis must avoid activities, such as, using a ladder and working on heights. Poor balance in these individuals can precipitate fall from the working height and result in serious injury.
- Individuals with arthritis involving weightbearing joints of lower extremities must avoid using squat toilets, as it could be difficult to squat and safely get up from the toilet after use. Squat toilets for osteoarthritis patients could a significant fall risk. Western toilet with raised toilet seat can help promote comfort. When using a raised toilet seat, make sure the seat is locked to the toilet, to prevent tipping of the seat.
- Having an elevated toilet seat with armrests can offer better support during sitting on toilet and getting up from toilet. The armrests enable transfer of weight on to them, which contributes to reduced stress on the aching weightbearing joints of lower extremities. This helps with improved safety and fall prevention.
- During episodes of exacerbation of arthritis involving the weightbearing joints of lower extremities, it can be difficult for the individual to enter the regular shower, by safely lifting the affected leg and bending the knee. Having a walk-in shower can help avoid this stress on the tender joints. Individuals can choose to have a shower chair, so that, they can be seated while taking shower and avoid the stress of weightbearing on the joints. Make sure the shower chair has armrests, which offer better support to hold on to while sitting and getting out of the chair. Make sure the seat of the chair is a little high up, which makes the task easier.
