Gait disturbance can be caused by injury, disease, alcohol or drug abuse, and even poorly fitting shoes. Ataxic gait can be caused by damage to the cerebellum, while Parkinson’s disease can cause a propulsive gait. Congenital conditions like developmental dysplasia can also cause gait disturbances.
Gait disturbance is commonly caused by an injury to the spine or legs or by a disease such as multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s. Alcohol abuse is another common cause of gait disturbance, as is the abuse or use of certain drugs and medications. There are different types of walking problems, which vary depending on the cause of the disorder.
An ataxic gait disorder occurs when a person has suffered damage to the cerebellum. Someone with an ataxic gait will have difficulty maintaining balance while walking. A common cause of an ataxic gait is multiple sclerosis, an autoimmune disease. When someone has multiple sclerosis, the immune system attacks the fatty lining that protects the spinal cord and brain.
The damage to the cerebellum that causes ataxia can also occur when a person suffers a severe head injury, such as during a car accident or when someone suffers a stroke. The use of medications to prevent seizures can also cause ataxia, as can alcohol abuse. Someone with ataxia may need to use a walker or cane to stabilize themselves and may benefit from physical therapy.
Parkinson’s disease is another common cause of gait disturbances. The disease can cause a person to have a propulsive gait, meaning he walks with his shoulders hunched forward and his head tilted. May shuffle as he walks. In some cases, movement for Parkinson’s patients is extremely difficult. A patient may feel as if his feet are sticking to the floor. As the disease progresses, a person may lose his balance when he walks and fall.
Other common causes of gait disturbance include injuries or ailments that are easily repaired. A person who has a plantar wart or callus on their foot may have trouble walking until the wart or callus is removed. Even poorly fitting shoes can disturb a person’s walking. If a person has sprained their ankle, suffers from a shin splint, or has broken a bone in their leg or foot, they will most likely have gait disturbances until the injury heals. Usually, a person will use crutches until she is healed.
Congenital conditions, such as a dislocated hip joint, commonly known as developmental dysplasia, also usually cause gait disturbances. When a baby is born with developmental dysplasia, one leg may end up being shorter than the other, which can cause him to walk with a limp or sway as he walks. If discovered early enough, the dislocated hip can be fixed with a brace. In some cases, surgery may be needed to adjust the hip.
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