The term "mechanical fall" is unclear, inconsistently used, and not associated with a discrete fall evaluation and does not predict outcomes. The term implies that an external mechanical force or object caused the fall. However, falls rarely result from a single cause, and are often due to complex interactions between sensory loss and other physiologic changes with age, environmental factors, medication side effects, and underlying illness. Therefore, the term "mechanical fall" oversimplifies a complex problem and bypasses critical thinking about the medical aspects of falls in elderly persons. In summary, there is no clear definition of a mechanical fall, and the term is not recommended for use in fall evaluations.