{"id":10320,"date":"2017-05-08T09:55:44","date_gmt":"2017-05-08T15:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=10320"},"modified":"2025-04-15T10:54:24","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T16:54:24","slug":"chance-walk-without-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/chance-walk-without-pain\/","title":{"rendered":"A chance to walk without pain: Reduce fall risks through strength and balance exercises"},"content":{"rendered":"
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May 1, 2017 was a big day for Patricia Eichhorn. It was the day she rejoin the UCHealth Aspen Club Walkers after more than two years away.<\/p>\n

But her Monday walk was more significant than a social outing with Aspen Club members. Patricia had spent more than two years in pain, and her leg has been too weak to walk more than a few blocks.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy back would be hurting from my limp, and I would be exhausted,\u201d she said. \u201cUp until I took the Stepping On<\/a> class, I couldn\u2019t even consider going back.\u201d<\/p>\n

More than two years ago, Eichhorn broke her femur just above the knee. Surgery went well, and she was diligent at physical therapy for more than a year. But she still had a limp that would throw her back out of whack and create pain when walking. The muscles in her damaged leg would periodically and unexpectedly give out, and her leg would collapse. Falling was always a concern, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI missed walking,\u201d she said. \u201cFor years \u2014 really for most of my life \u2014 walking was my biggest activity.\u201d<\/p>\n

Before her accident, Eichhorn would speed walk up to six days a week, walking about 4 miles in one hour, and on Sundays, she\u2019d walk 6 miles. But after her surgery, she was in a wheelchair for several weeks while her leg adapted to the metal rod and nine screws that were now a part of her; she never fully recovered.<\/p>\n

Then, Eichhorn learned of the UCHealth Stepping On class<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Reduce fall risks through strength and balance exercises<\/h2>\n

The seven-week class is designed to help older adults reduce their fall risk through strength and balance exercises and gain knowledge about safety practices.<\/p>\n

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The next Stepping On sessions in northern Colorado are:<\/p>\n