Question

What are the common gait impairments seen in Parkinson's Disease patients?

Answer 1

Parkinson's disease

A chronic Neurological disorder resulting in lack of control over movement , poor balance and coordination and other similar symptoms.

Common gait impairments seen in Parkinson's disease patients:

Gait is the manner of walking or stepping. Common Gait impairments seen in patient's wih Parkinson's disease are :

* festination or festinating gaits:

The involuntary shortening of stride and quickening of gait that occurs in Parkinson's  disease. This manner of Gait can be tiring and frustrating.

* Freezing of gait:

It is characterised by a difficulty in initiating the walking or stepping. It appears as a hesitation before stepping forward. It is called as feezing gait as the patients expressed their experience as they feel that their feet are glued to the ground . It is a temporary feeling, after initiation of walking, then it may disappear.

* Shuffling gait

It is characterised by small shuffling steps along with general slowness and reduced arm  movement . This walking style of dragging foot is also a characteristic gait feature in Parkinson's disease.

These are the commonly seen gait impairments in Parkinson's patient. They may exhibit hypokinesia ( slowness of movement)or akinesia , loss of movement.