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Neurology (Expert Forum)
gait disorder
This forum is for questions and support regarding neurology issues such as: Alzheimer's Disease, ALS, Autism, Brain Cancer, Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Pain, Epilepsy, Fibromyalgia, Headaches, MS, Neuralgia, Neuropathy, Parkinson's Disease, RSD, Sleep Disorders, Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury
gait disorder
by Kerry2, Jun 17, 2004 12:00AM
I am a 41-year-old female, 5 ft. 6., 140 pounds. Last year, I started hesitating when I went downstairs--it didn't bother me at the time, for I figured I was just favoring a "trick" knee. But in January I began to limp on the flats, favoring my right leg. My gp said I walked like a person who had one leg shorter than the other...I would kind of swing the right leg in circles as I walked, and sometimes if I was walking at any distance I would trip over my right foot (I don't know whether this is "foot drop"). She said the reflexes of my right leg were slightly off, and sent me to a neurologist. The neurologist ordered a brain MRI, but said before I left her office that if it came back normal that I should see a knee specialist. It came back fine, I cheered and went to the knee doctor--but both he and his colleague swore that they had NEVER seen a limp like mine associated with a knee problem. They did, however, find a nasty loose body and arthritis and operated for that last week. But I was bounced back to the neurologist, who wants me to go in for a spinal MRI next to "rule out demylenating disease" (which I thought she'd already done).
Right now I'm worrying myself to death that I have MS or ALS. Yet there are no other symptoms besides the limp and foot drop. Sometimes my hands tingle very slightly, but only after I've been at the computer or reading in one position for a while. My balance has always been poor (what worried the gp was that I find it difficult to rise from a crouch). What do you think?
Thanks!
Kerry2
Right now I'm worrying myself to death that I have MS or ALS. Yet there are no other symptoms besides the limp and foot drop. Sometimes my hands tingle very slightly, but only after I've been at the computer or reading in one position for a while. My balance has always been poor (what worried the gp was that I find it difficult to rise from a crouch). What do you think?
Thanks!
Kerry2
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-Neuro-M.D.-CS, Jun 17, 2004 12:00AM
The history you have provided does not point to MS or ALS as the definite diagnosis. I would agree that a MRI of the spine should be performed to look for structural abnormalities. Without evaluating you I cannot determine if it is a problem in the spine, nerves to the leg, or muscles in the leg. I would wait for the MRI and then re-discuss this with your doctor. Good luck
Is there a particular gait pattern associated with MS or ALS? What else might cause a gait disturbance such as I've described?
Thanks again!
Kerry2