A 78-year-old man has a history of a cerebrovascular accident.The nurse notes that when he walks, his left arm is immobile against the body with flexion of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers and adduction of the shoulder.His left leg is stiff and extended, and he drags the toe in a semicircle with each step.What type of gait disturbance is this individual experiencing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The description of the left arm being immobile against the body with flexion of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers and adduction of the shoulder and the left leg being stiff and extended and dragging the toe in a semicircle with each step is consistent with spastic hemiparesis, a type of gait disturbance commonly seen after a cerebrovascular accident. Scissors gait is seen in individuals with cerebral palsy, cerebellar ataxia presents with uncoordinated and wide-based gait, and Parkinsonian gait is characterized by a shuffling gait with reduced arm swing and festination.

A 78-Year-Old Man Has a History of a Cerebrovascular Accident