Parkinsonian/Festinating Gait (Extrapyramidal disorder gait):
Due to dysfunction in basal ganglia (hypokinetic disorders); gait abnormality is from the combined effects of akinesia, dystonia, rigidity and tremor.
Stooped/flexed standing posture; minimal or no arm movement (arms usually hang by side); first steps are hard to initiate appear hesitant and steps are small; speed and length of step increases as they get going (festinating); usually leaning forward during gait (learn forward more than when standing); legs remain flexed at knee and hip during gait; steps are short and feet barely leave ground ‘shuffle’ (often drag on ground); turning is difficult and achieved by taking very short steps; may take a few steps backwards when stopping; narrower base of gait
eg Parkinson’s disease; Parkinson plus syndromes
Related Topics:
Gait in Parkinsons Disease
Comments are closed.