How does NPH affect gait?

How does NPH affect gait?

Specific features of the gait disturbance in normal pressure hydrocephalus were a broad based gait pattern with outward rotated feet and a diminished height of the steps. After treatment in both diseases, the speed increased, due to an enlarged stride length, now presenting a lower variability.

Why does NPH cause magnetic gait?

This is caused by expansion of the lateral ventricles to impinge on the corticospinal tract motor fibers. The typical gait abnormality in NPH is a broad-based, slow, short-stepped, “stuck to the floor”, or “magnetic” movement.

What does gait apraxia look like?

Frontal Gait Disorder (Gait Apraxia) Typical features include a wide base of support, short stride, shuffling on the floor, and difficulty with starts and turns. Many exhibit a peculiar difficulty with gait initiation, descriptively characterized as freezing gait or gait ignition failure.

Does apraxia affect walking?

In gait apraxia cases, the functional abnormality is restricted to walking and there is no motor weakness, sensory loss or cerebellar dysfunction in the lower limbs to account for the gait difficulty.

What is NPH diagnosis?

Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a brain disorder in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the brain’s ventricles, causing thinking and reasoning problems, difficulty walking, and loss of bladder control.

What is a dystonic gait?

Definition. Dystonic gait disorders frequently appear bizarre, particularly because activity increases dystonic tonus and posture. The abnormal posture of the foot in dystonic gait typically involves inversion, plantar flexion and tonic extension of the big toe.

Why pressure is normal in NPH?

Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a brain disorder in which excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain’s ventricles, which are fluid-filled chambers. Normal pressure hydrocephalus is called “normal pressure” because despite the excess fluid, CSF pressure as measured during a spinal tap is often normal.

Why does NPH cause incontinence?

The bladder disorders in NPH are the result of a hyperactive detrusor muscle due to reduced or absent central inhibition. At first the patient suffers from an increased micturition frequency. In the further course, urge incontinence usually follows and can progress to an absolute urinary incontinence.

What is cerebellar gait?

The clinical features of cerebellar ataxic gait usually include a widened base, unsteadiness and irregularity of steps, and lateral veering. Locomotion in individuals with cerebellar ataxia is characterized by a significantly reduced step frequency with a prolonged stance and double limb support duration.