Parkinson’s gait is a symptom of Parkinson’s disease that causes an unsteady, hunched gait, short steps, difficulty turning or stopping, and a feeling of constantly leaning forward. Medications, physical therapy, and walking aids can help reduce symptoms, but remaining active with short walks is important to keep joints in better shape.
Parkinson’s gait is a symptom of Parkinson’s disease that usually develops as the condition becomes more severe. The effects of the disease, such as lack of balance and strength, contribute to an unsteady, hunched gait. Often, Parkinson’s gait is mistaken for a walking style consistent with old age, until the condition worsens. Other common signs of Parkinson’s gait include short steps, difficulty turning or stopping, and the patient feeling as if they are constantly leaning forward.
Parkinson’s disease affects the human brain and slows down the speed of signals traveling through the nervous system. This reduced transmission rate can have a major effect on daily activities, including walking, showering, and dressing. Other problems include a lack of balance and tiredness. As the condition worsens, symptoms become more apparent, including Parkinson’s gait.
The main hallmark of Parkinson’s gait is a shortened, shuffling step, but there are many others associated with the problem. When healthy people walk, their arms swing naturally. A person with Parkinson’s usually doesn’t swing their arms as much. If the disease is mainly on one side of the body, the arm on this side will be most affected.
A person with Parkinson’s may also occasionally freeze and become unable to walk. This can often occur in the middle of the stride. Other signs of Parkinson’s gait include stiff posture and an increased risk of falling.
Medications are often prescribed to relieve Parkinson’s symptoms, but there are other treatment techniques that can be used to reduce walking problems. For example, physical therapy can be effective in helping a patient maintain good posture and build muscle strength. Practicing the acts of walking, turning, and stopping can also make the process easier.
In some cases, a walking aid may be needed. This can make walking more comfortable and reduce the chance of falling. During the early stages of Parkinson’s disease, a walking stick may be sufficient, while a walker is often used for later stages of the disease.
It is important for a person with Parkinson’s gait, despite challenging symptoms, to remain active. As the disease progresses, the joints and muscles are likely to stiffen over time if they are not used regularly. Strenuous exercise is often not possible, but short walks can keep joints in better shape and help reduce the gait problems associated with Parkinson’s.
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