|
Questions posted in the
Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Question Title: Stroke survivor's increasing fear of walkingForum: Neurology Forum
| ||||
My father experienced a significant stroke 12 years ago at age 63; through rehabilitation over the initial years, he learned to walk with a cane despite right-side paralysis. The quality of his gait began to wane a few years ago, but he continued to walk without much hesitation. In recent months, though, he has developed a more fearful attitude about walking. On occasion, even in familiar places, he has "frozen", unwilling/unable to take another step unless he could lean on a wall or an adjacent person. Uncharacteristically, he seems to resign himself to this situation rather than return to a rehabilitation facility to explore overcoming this problem. He experienced two mild falls when attempting to lean over from a sitting position, but this situation preceded the falls. Does this condition have a name/label for Internet research purposes? The symptom you describe, I feel exceeds the internet / search type approach and you may well need an evaluation by a neurologist to see if there is any thing else going on. Freezing can be due to fear or if due to neurological mechanisms may be a symptom of Parkinson's disease when it is termed BRADYKINESIA. This is usually a feature of late Parkinson's but postural,instability and falls are also part of the picture. I would suggest that you see a neurologist,ideally one with a special interest in movement disorders to clarify this question. If you wish to see a neurologist at the cleveland clinic the number for appointments is (216) 444 5559
|
| |||