Postural instability and gait impairments are universally features of advanced PD.1,4 Examination of gait in patients with PD involves asking the patient to stand, unaided, from a seated position, then walk approximately ten metres, turn around, walk back, and sit down again.4 Depending on the level of gait impairment, patients may walk with shortened steps, walk hesitantly, take several steps to turn around, or their gait may freeze.4
References:
1.Massano J, Bhatia KP. Clinical approach to Parkinson’s disease: features, diagnosis, and principles of management. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2012; 2 (6): a008870.
2.Mirelman A, Bonato P, Camicioli R, et al. Gait impairments in Parkinson’s disease. Lancet Neurol 2019; 18 (7): 697–708.
3.Nonnekes J, Giladi N, Guha A, et al. Gait festination in parkinsonism: introduction of two phenotypes. J Neurol 2019; 266 (2): 426–430.
4.Williams DR, Litvan I. Parkinsonian syndromes. Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2013; 19 (5 Movement Disorders): 1189–1212.
