Ataxic Gait and Postural Disturbances Quiz

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What is the estimated percentage of falls that lead to serious injuries in elderly persons?

15-20%

20-25%

5-10%

10-15% (correct)

Which factor is NOT listed as a risk factor for falls in elderly persons?

Impaired balance

High body weight (correct)

Impaired postural reflexes

Low physical activity

What type of test involves standing with eyes closed and a narrow base as per the provided text?

Tandem gait

Unterberger’s test

Romberg’s test (correct)

Postural reflexes test

What should be avoided to prevent falls and fall-related injuries, according to the text?

Use of sedatives with long half-life Signup and view all the answers

What psychological factor is associated with slower gait according to the text?

Depression Signup and view all the answers

Which cognitive function is relevant for circumnavigating obstacles and choosing the optimal route during walking, according to the text?

Visuospatial perception Signup and view all the answers

What is the risk associated with elderly persons who stop walking while talking, as per the text?

Higher risk of falling Signup and view all the answers

What strategy prioritizes the maintenance of balance over other tasks in situations where there is a risk of falling, as per the text?

Posture first strategy Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the body should be observed for movements in the direction opposite to the movement of each leg during normal walking?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the timed up and go (TUG) test?

To assess the risk of falling in geriatric patients Signup and view all the answers

What type of test may be applied for diagnostic purposes when normal pressure hydrocephalus is suspected?

Spinal tap test Signup and view all the answers

Why is it advisable to inspect the patient from all sides while standing still during the examination of gait?

To detect orthopaedic abnormalities Signup and view all the answers

What is the distinguishing feature of the antalgic gait?

Lifting and lowering the foot in a fixed ankle position Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the coxalgic gait in patients with hip pain?

Remains level during the stance phase of the affected side Signup and view all the answers

What is a key indicator of knee hyperextension gait due to quadriceps muscle weakness?

Increased ankle plantar flexion Signup and view all the answers

In which condition do patients exhibit a waddling gait due to weakness in the hip girdle and upper thigh muscles?

Myopathies affecting hip joint extension muscles Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic gait pattern in patients with spastic hemiparesis?

Wide base, asymmetrical gait with shortened weight-bearing phase on the paretic side Signup and view all the answers

How can sensory ataxia be distinguished from cerebellar ataxia based on clinical characteristics?

Loss of proprioception compensated by visual input in sensory ataxia Signup and view all the answers

What may result in a complete inability to walk in patients with phobic gait disorder?

Excessive fear of falling Signup and view all the answers

Which treatment option is specifically mentioned for spastic paraparetic gait?

Physiotherapy and medication with muscle relaxing effect Signup and view all the answers

What changes are induced in the strategies for standing and walking when there is a suspected threat to balance?

The stance and gait base is widened, bipedal floor contact is prolonged, and walking becomes slower Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical response in healthy individuals when walking on icy ground or a slippery floor?

Stance and gait base widens and step length becomes shorter Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the preferred walking speed in apparently healthy elderly subjects as they age?

It decreases by 2% per year from a mean of 1.3 m/s in the seventh decade to a mean of 0.95 m/s in those aged over 80 years Signup and view all the answers

What did the Bruneck study reveal about the prevalence of gait disorders in the elderly population?

The prevalence of gait disorders increases markedly with age, reaching >60% in those over 80 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the gait pattern referred to as when the muscles that lift the foot are paretic?

Steppage gait Signup and view all the answers

What symptom is characteristic of intermittent claudication?

Cramps in the calves, feet, or thighs Signup and view all the answers

Which condition leads to narrowing of the spinal canal and mechanical compression of the cervical spinal cord?

Degenerative osteophytes Signup and view all the answers

What category encompasses all gait disorders related to brain disease or dysfunction?

Gait disorders associated with brain dysfunction Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes sensory ataxic gait from cerebellar ataxia?

Visual control compensation for loss of proprioception Signup and view all the answers

What may contribute to a marked worsening of ataxia in patients with sensory ataxia?

Acute ischemic optic neuropathy Signup and view all the answers

Which imaging study suggested that balance and gait problems in patients with higher level gait disorders are associated with grey matter atrophy in the midbrain and caused by dysfunction in a network linking the primary motor cortex with the midbrain locomotor region?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common cause of frontal gait disorders according to the text?

Alzheimer's disease Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the phenomenon of patients with frontal gait disorders appearing to have forgotten how to walk?

Gait ignition failure Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common manifestation of patients with frontal gait disorders?

Exaggerated arm movements during gait initiation Signup and view all the answers

What term is used to describe the phenomenon where patients' feet appear to be glued to the ground during walking?

Magnetic feet syndrome Signup and view all the answers

In some cases of frontal gait disorders, what may lead to backward falls in patients?

Increased deep tendon reflexes Signup and view all the answers

Which term is used to describe the condition characterized by mild rigidity, gegenhalten, and bradykinesia predominantly in the lower limbs?

Lower body parkinsonism Signup and view all the answers

What is a common treatment option for frontal gait disorders as mentioned in the text?

Physiotherapy including gait training Signup and view all the answers

Which symptom is specifically mentioned as the only symptom in isolated gait ignition failure?

'Trunk laterally swaying' during gait initiation Signup and view all the answers

What may be employed as a support for patients with frontal gait disorders, as suggested in the text?

Rhythmic acoustic or visual signals Signup and view all the answers