L-W-O Community supports primary and secondary lymphoedema by promoting emotional wellness, lymphatic health, self-care, patient empowerment, online and in the community.
Why do we fall?
As we get older, many different factors can increase our risk of falling, and for those living with lymphoedema, that risk can be even higher. Heavy legs, swollen ankles, and changes in sensation or mobility can make everyday movements more difficult. But lymphoedema is only one part of the picture.
Falls often happen because several issues overlap. Muscle weakness can make it harder to stay steady. Poor balance affects confidence and stability. Visual impairment can make hazards harder to spot. Polypharmacy, especially certain medicines, may cause dizziness or slower reaction times.
Environmental hazards such as clutter, uneven flooring, or poor lighting add extra challenges. And some medical conditions naturally increase the likelihood of falling.
Understanding these combined risks helps us take practical steps to stay safer, move with more confidence, and recognise when our lymphoedema symptoms may be contributing to instability.
Slowing Down to Stay Safe: What Two Falls Taught Me
In the last couple of years, I’ve had two serious falls that have changed how I move and how I think about my own safety. The first fall left me with a badly damaged ankle. I should have gone to hospital, but I didn’t, and even now, two years on, the ankle has never fully recovered. The second fall happened twelve months later. This time I did call an ambulance and spent two days in hospital. What I thought was my ankles giving way turned out to be something different: my potassium levels were low, and it was actually my hips that were failing me.
Both falls happened when I tried to get out of bed too quickly in the morning. Since then, I’ve had to retrain myself to rise slowly, give my body time to adjust, and make sure I’m steady before I take a step. It’s a small change, but it’s made a big difference to my confidence and safety.
Meralgia Paresthetica
Personal reflection
My own history shows how easily subtle changes can be overlooked. Over the years, I have undergone electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies to assess the health of my muscles and nerves. The first set of tests in 2016 revealed various stages of neuropathy, radiculopathy, and deterioration in my cervical spine. It has been suggested by health care professionals that if my cervical spine has deteriorated, it is highly likely that part or all of my spine has also deteriorated.
More recently, after several falls and further EMG testing, I was diagnosed with meralgia paresthetica. When the falls first started, I assumed it was my ankles giving way, but I’ve since learned it’s actually my hips that suddenly lose strength. The latest tests show that the nerves between my hips and knees aren’t functioning properly, even though the nerves from my knees down to my feet are working as they should.
In simple terms:
My EMG findings and history of falls fit with what the condition can cause:
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A mismatch between what your legs should feel like and what they do feel like
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A sense of instability because the nerve isn’t sending reliable sensory feedback
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That unnerving “empty space” between hip and knee is a classic sensory disruption pattern
While the lymphatic system itself doesn’t cause meralgia paresthetica, changes such as swelling or infection can sometimes put pressure on the nerves that run nearby. That means for people like me, living with lymphoedema or chronic inflammation in the groin or thigh, there’s a small possibility that this pressure could irritate those nerves and contribute to symptoms.
I find this connection fascinating, especially as my lymphoedema has progressed and I now wear nighttime compression. It makes me wonder how much these overlapping systems influence one another and how understanding that might help manage both conditions more effectively.
While there is nothing to directly connect these two conditions, I did discover some quite interesting reading on PubMed.
Femoral nerve palsy: compression by lymph glands in the inguinal region - PubMed
Meralgia paresthetica caused by inguinal lymphadenopathy related to tinea pedis infection: A case report – PubMed
Please note that there is no established scientific link between Meralgia Paresthetica and the lymphatic system. This section comes entirely from my own curiosity. Many of the symptoms associated with my lymphoedema, including several neuropathies, have appeared for me only after my lymphoedema diagnosis, and that timing has made me wonder about how these experiences overlap in my daily life.
The Statistics
Key UK Statistics: Falls in Adults Aged 65+
How common are falls?
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Around one-third of people aged 65+ fall at least once a year.
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Around half of people aged 80+ fall at least once a year.
Hospital admissions
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In 2017–18, there were 220,160 emergency hospital admissions for falls among people aged 65+.
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Of these, 146,665 admissions (66.6%) were in people aged 80+.
Impact on health and independence
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Falls are the ninth highest cause of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in England.
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They are the leading cause of injury in older adults.
Costs to the NHS and social care
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Unaddressed fall hazards in the home cost the NHS £435 million annually.
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Fragility fractures cost the UK £4.4 billion per year, including £1.1 billion in social care.
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Hip fractures alone account for £2 billion of this total.
Outcomes after hip fracture
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One-year mortality after a hip fracture is 18–33%.
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20% of hip fracture patients enter long-term care within a year.
Falls in hospitals
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Falls are the most commonly reported patient safety incident in hospitals.
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Over 240,000 falls are reported annually across acute hospitals and mental health trusts in England and Wales.
Fall Prevention
Sadly, I have seen far too many times in support groups that, because of lymphoedema mobility problems, a person refuses to use a mobility aid because they feel they are too young.
I’ve never liked the idea that using a mobility aid somehow means you’re “losing” your independence. In fact, I see it as the complete opposite. A mobility aid, whether it’s a stick, a rollator, a grab rail, or a bedguard, is a tool that helps you hold on to your independence for longer. It keeps you safer, steadier, and more confident as you move through your day.
For anyone under 40, the process can feel like a difficult step. It’s natural to worry about what others might think or to feel that you’re “too young” to need support. But age doesn’t decide when you deserve safety. Your body does, and listening to it is one of the strongest, most self-respecting things you can do.
Mobility aids don’t take anything away from you. They give you more: stability, confidence, and freedom to live your life without fear of falling or overstraining. They help you stay active, stay engaged, and stay safe. And if something improves your quality of life, supports your independence, and protects you from harm, then it’s not a weakness; it is common sense.
Using the right support at the right time is a sign of strength. It’s choosing to live well, not just get by. And for many of us living with lymphoedema, that choice makes all the difference.
How to Access Mobility Aids
Through the NHS
Mobility aids play an important role in helping us stay safe, steady, and independent, especially when living with long‑term conditions like lymphoedema.
They’re not just pieces of equipment; they’re practical tools that support confidence, reduce the risk of falls, and make everyday life more manageable.
As we grow older, or when our health changes, we may find that tasks we once did without thinking now require a little more support. That’s not a weakness; it’s simply part of recognising what our bodies need, and respond with kindness and practicality.
Whether through the NHS, local services, or by purchasing equipment yourself, understanding the options available can make the process far less overwhelming. My aim is to offer clear, accessible guidance for people living with lymphoedema, their families, carers, and the healthcare professionals who support them.
How mobility aids:
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Reduce the risk of falls.
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Support balance and stability.
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Help conserve energy and reduce pain.
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Make daily tasks safer and more manageable.
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Enable people to stay independent for longer.
Choosing to use a mobility aid is an act of self‑care, not a sign of decline. It’s about protecting your wellbeing, staying active, and living life with confidence.
In the UK, there are several routes to accessing mobility or disability equipment through the NHS or local services. The pathway depends on your needs, your health conditions, and the type of equipment required.
1. Referral from Your GP
Your GP is often the first point of contact. They can:
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Assess whether mobility equipment would support your safety or mobility.
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Refer you to the appropriate NHS service, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, or a specialist clinic.
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Provide supporting medical information if a more detailed assessment is needed.
2. Referral from a Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists can:
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Assess your mobility, gait, balance, and strength.
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Recommend aids such as walking frames, sticks, or wheelchairs.
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Refer you to wheelchair services or occupational therapy if more specialised equipment is needed.
Many physiotherapy departments can issue basic mobility aids directly following assessment.
3. Occupational Therapy (OT) Assessment
Occupational therapists play a key role in:
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Assessing your home environment.
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Identifying equipment that supports daily living (grab rails, bed rails, raised toilet seats, shower chairs, etc.).
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Arranging installation of certain aids through local authority services.
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Advising on safe movement, transfers, and fall prevention.
OT assessments can be arranged through your GP, hospital team, or local council adult social care.
4. Hospital Teams
If you are an inpatient or attending outpatient clinics, hospital physiotherapists or OTs may:
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Provide mobility aids before discharge.
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Refer you to community services for ongoing support.
5. Adult Social Care
Contact your local council. In the UK, the primary council departments for assisting with welfare, mobility and home adaptations may be able offer assistance to live independently.
If You Choose to Buy Equipment Yourself
Many people prefer to buy their own mobility or disability equipment, either for speed, choice, or because they want something specific.
VAT Relief on Mobility and Disability Equipment
If you are buying equipment with your own funds, you should not have to pay VAT on many mobility or disability products, provided you meet HMRC’s definition of being chronically sick or disabled. This includes long‑term conditions and chronic illnesses.
Key points:
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VAT relief allows eligible products to be purchased at 0% VAT instead of the standard 20%.
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You do not need to be registered disabled or receiving benefits to qualify.
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You simply complete a short self‑declaration at the point of purchase.
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Products covered include wheelchairs, scooters, walking frames, grab rails, bathroom aids, adjustable beds, and many other items designed for disabled people.
There are also reduced VAT rates (currently 5%) for certain mobility aids installed in the homes of people aged 60 or over.
This relief exists because the UK recognises that disabled and older people should not bear additional tax costs for essential equipment.