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PARKINSONIAN GAIT

Parkinsonian Gait, commonly known as Parkinson’s Walk, differs from typical adult gait in that those afflicted use very brief, shuffled steps with minimal foot lift.

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Parkinsonian Gait

Parkinson GaitThe youngest recorded person to acquire Parkinsonian gait is a 12-year-old boy. He was diagnosed with juvenile Parkinson’s disease, a rare form of Parkinson’s disease that affects people under the age of 21. The causes of Juvenile Parkinson’s disease stem from a genetic mutation. The boy’s symptoms include tremors, stiffness, and slow movement. He also walks with a Parkinsonian gait, which appears as a slow, shuffling, and unsteady walking pattern. The boy’s case is significant because it is the youngest known case of Parkinsonian gait. It also raises awareness of juvenile Parkinson’s disease, which rarely occurs and gets misdiagnosed. As of this date, a cure does not exist for juvenile Parkinson’s disease, but treatments exist that can help to manage the symptoms. These treatments include medication, physical therapy, and speech therapy. The boy is currently receiving treatment, and doctors continue to manage his symptoms.

Walking Symptoms

Parkinsonian Gait, commonly known as Parkinson’s Walk, differs from a typical gait in that it uses very brief, shuffled steps with minimal foot lift. The foot is laid flat on the ground because there is little to no flexibility in the knee, ankle, or foot, leading to an exceptionally short stride length. To start moving, one has to flex the foot, bend the knee, and roll onto the ball of the foot. Parkinsonian Gait lacks the knee and foot flexion that characterizes our typical movement, making it challenging for people who experience it to begin walking.

When turning, a person might very slowly swing or move the leg, and uneven surfaces, slopes, and steps become hard to negotiate. Those who possess Parkinsonian Gait frequently have a stooped posture and a little forward lean. Rapid, brief steps that seem to force the person ahead appear to prevent overbalancing, and diminished arm movement is frequently apparent.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What is causing my child's Parkinsonian gait?

A Parkinsonian gait is characterized by a shuffling and unsteady walking pattern similar to that seen in Parkinson’s disease. It can result from various underlying factors, including neurological conditions, medication side effects, or other health issues. The doctor will conduct a thorough evaluation to identify the specific cause and provide information on the underlying condition responsible for the gait abnormality.

Can my child's Parkinsonian gait be treated or improved?

Parents are typically concerned about the treatment and management of their child’s Parkinsonian gait. They may ask about therapies, medications, or interventions that can help improve their child’s mobility and overall quality of life. The doctor can discuss treatment options, rehabilitation, and management strategies to address the specific condition causing the Parkinsonian gait.

What is the prognosis for my child's condition, and what can we expect in the future?

Parents often want to know about the long-term implications of their child’s gait abnormality and whether it will improve or worsen over time. The doctor can provide information on the expected course of the condition, potential complications, and the importance of ongoing medical care and support. They can also discuss the child’s prognosis and provide guidance on how to manage the condition as it evolves.

It’s important to note that the specific questions and concerns may vary based on the underlying cause of the Parkinsonian gait and the child’s age. The doctor will tailor their responses to the individual circumstances of the child in question, and it’s crucial to maintain open communication with the healthcare team to address any specific concerns or needs.

 

Walking differently can be a medical indication that something is wrong.  Make an appointment with one of our pediatric orthopedists to ensure everything is fine.

Parkinsonian Gait Causes?

Parkinson’s disease is characterized by the death of nerve cells and decreased production of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the basal ganglia, a region of the brain. Moreover, dopamine is used by the basal ganglia to bring neurons together. Therefore, this implies that connections are reduced when dopamine levels become low. Basically, your child’s body’s smooth motions are controlled by the basal ganglia. Also, this region of the brain cannot perform that task as well when there are fewer connections there. Otherwise, this results in Parkinsonian gait and other Parkinson’s disease movement symptoms. Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest that in patients with Parkinson’s disease, anxiety might trigger gait freezing or exacerbate it. The condition Parkinson’s also frequently manifests as anxiety. However, this subject needs additional study.

Treatment Options

Doctors treat Parkinsonian gait with certain approved medicines. Notably, people with Parkinson’s disease whose symptoms don’t get better also have other therapies that may help their gait.

Exercises to Improve Gait

Parkinsonian gait will improve with physical therapy and other activities that teach other “strategies” for walking. Some of these workouts are doable at home. To determine which exercises help, patients can try some of the above therapies:

Increasing range of movement and mobility

Your child’s stability, gait, and stiffness can improve by increasing flexibility. For example, if your child is old enough, try these workouts:

  1. Sit your child on a chair and slant their upper body to the right and left at the waist.
  2. Turn your child’s upper body to the right and left while crawling on all fours. As your child turns, they should raise the arm on the side they are turning to.

Strengthen your child’s lower body as well

Strength training can help your child become more balanced, cover more ground, and even walk faster. The following exercises will help:

Leg presses

Use your child’s legs to push a weight away from his or her body while seated.

Squats

Set your child in an upright position with their legs a little wider than hip-width apart. To prevent your child’s knees from crossing, your child should bend their knees while pulling their glute muscles back.

Exercise bike

Using a recumbent electric bicycle, which is a stationary cycle with a back your child can lean on while standing with their legs straight out in front, will help strengthen their legs.

Frequently get into and out of a chair

Your child may build up their leg and core muscles by repeatedly sitting down and getting up. Additionally, it aids in the development of practical skills.

Choosing Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists

Always consult with your doctor if your child begins to walk differently.  If you come to one of our Medical City Children’s Orthopedics & Spine Specialists offices in Arlington, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, and McKinney, TX our pediatric orthopedic doctors will examine your child and recommend the best treatment option to repair the problem and get your child back playing.

As previously mentioned, our doctors at the Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists, will examine your child and understand the reasons for an unusual gait.  At that point, the doctor will prepare an individualized treatment plan for your child if he finds the cause of the unusual gait.  After correcting the problem, your child will resume his or her favorite activities. For athletes, it may take up to a year before they may resume their sport.

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Footnote:

Healthline: Parkinsonian Gait

 

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