First, let's take a look at some of the common characteristics of the MS gait pattern that you might be experiencing: You may walk more slowly, with shorter steps. You may lack in confidence when you walk – leading to hesitation and stumbling. You might feel unsteady when turning or walking.
Many assistive devices, such as canes, crutches, or braces, can be beneficial for people with MS. Anyone with trouble walking should speak with healthcare professionals about ways to reduce the risk of falling. This might involve: not wearing high heels.
Balance: Balance problems typically result in a swaying and “drunken” type of gait known as ataxia. Sensory deficit: Some people with MS have such severe numbness in their feet that they cannot feel the floor or know where their feet are. This is referred to as a sensory ataxia.
Walking changes in MS include reduced gait speed, impaired walking balance, and reduced walking-related physical activity. Falls in people with MS are associated with injuries, reduced participation, and increased fear of falling.
Foot drop, or dropped foot, is a symptom of multiple sclerosis caused by weakness in the ankle or disruption in the nerve pathway between the legs and your brain. This disruption means it is difficult to lift the front of your foot to the correct angle during walking.
Each Challenge Walk MS ranges from 2-3 days, and routes vary from 30-50 miles.
The present work suggests that people with MS have a decrease in speed and stride length, as well as an increase in double-stance intervals during gait.
Balance problems and falls are common in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) but their cause and nature are not well understood. It is known that MS affects many areas of the central nervous system that can impact postural responses to maintain balance, including the cerebellum and the spinal cord.
Vision problems, like blurred or double vision. Dizziness and a lack of coordination. Trouble walking, feeling unsteady, a loss of balance.
The Functional Gait Assessment is a valid measure of balance during walking in ambulatory people with MS. The test includes walking activities that are challenging for many individuals with MS. The test is easy to perform in clinical settings but requires preparation such as taping of the walkway.
An unsteady, staggering gait is described as an ataxic gait because walking is uncoordinated and appears to be 'not ordered'. Many motor activities may be described as ataxic if they appear to others, or are perceived by patients, as uncoordinated.
The present data found the average walking speed to be 0.95 m/s, whereas Wurdeman et al. [4] found the average walking speed to be 1.02 m/s, and even lower values with higher disability levels, corroborating our findings presented.
The muscle weakness that you are feeling can be directly linked to MS because the damage to your nerves can disrupt signals to the muscles. This nerve damage makes it hard to move your muscles and leads to a heavy feeling in your legs (or other areas of your body).
A person with benign MS will have few symptoms or loss of ability after having MS for about 15 years, while most people with MS would be expected to have some degree of disability after that amount of time, particularly if their MS went untreated.
Losing your balance while walking, or feeling imbalanced, can result from: Vestibular problems. Abnormalities in your inner ear can cause a sensation of a floating or heavy head and unsteadiness in the dark. Nerve damage to your legs (peripheral neuropathy).
Overview. Dizziness is a common symptom of MS. People with MS may feel off balance or lightheaded. Much less often, they have the sensation that they or their surroundings are spinning — a condition known as vertigo.
The fact that multiple sclerosis is most prevalent in northern Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand has led to speculation that it has been carried around the world by European colonists and settlers.
Fatigue was highest in relapsing-remitting MS, typically peaking in late-afternoon. In controls, fatigue started lower and increased steadily until bedtime.
Shuffling gait is characterized by short steps and feet that slide along the ground rather than fully clear the floor. This gait commonly occurs with Parkinson's disease and conditions that affect nerves and muscles in the legs.
The 6 Minute Walk Test is a sub-maximal exercise test used to assess aerobic capacity and endurance. The distance covered over a time of 6 minutes is used as the outcome by which to compare changes in performance capacity.
The symptoms of MS can be both visible and invisible to others. Some of the most common MS symptoms involve: Motor control – difficulties with walking, balance or coordination, muscle spasms or tremors, muscle weakness, slurring or slowing of speech, swallowing difficulties, dizziness or vertigo.
Tightness or stiffness of the muscles, called spasticity, is caused directly by MS. Spasticity, will alter walking and cause pulling on the joints. This can result in pain typically in the ankles, knees, hips and back.