[Identification and interpretation of abnormal walking patterns: a symptom-based approach for walking problems]

Abstract

Identification and interpretation of abnormal walking patterns is important, for the diagnosis as well as the treatment of the underlying condition. Since walking pattern changes can often be clinically observed at an early stage, their identification can help with timely diagnosis. Clinical training makes use of comprehensive descriptions of walking abnormalities that list all possible characteristics of a classic syndrome. However, patients rarely present at the office with all clinical symptoms of a specific disease, certainly not in the earliest stages. Especially in the beginning, patients often display only one or at best a few abnormal walking characteristics. None of these individual characteristics is specific for a certain disease, but may instead be seen in combination with several different disorders. For this reason, we have developed a practical diagnostic approach which allows making a differential diagnosis for each abnormal walking characteristic. Focused history taking and physical examination can then be used to make an accurate diagnose or to refer the patient for further diagnostics.