Shaky gait is a rather alarming symptom that may indicate the presence of a serious pathology of the brain, nervous system, or musculoskeletal system. In young children, when they learn to walk, there is also a certain instability when walking, but over time it passes. If such a symptom occurs at an older age, you need to go to the hospital as soon as possible to undergo an examination and identify the problem.
Manifestations
With the normal coordinated functioning of the skeletal, muscular and ocular systems, as well as the inner ear and nerve trunks, there are no problems with gait. But only at least one of these elements fails, violations occur in the form of a shaky gait. Sometimes these deviations are practically not noticeable, but there are times when a person, because of this state, can’t practically move in space. His gait becomes unstable, shaky.
The causes of such symptoms are many. Therefore, it is worthwhile to thoroughly understand what diseases a person has a similar symptom.
Causes of Shaky Gait
Lack of coordination is a rather dangerous symptom. Therefore, if you have gait disorders, you should immediately consult a doctor. Shaky gait can signal the following problems:
- Cerebral palsy.
- Diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system (muscle tissue, joints, bones, tendons).
- Lack of vitamins B1, B12, folate.
- Neoplasms in the brain.
- Poisoning with alcohol and narcotic and psychotropic substances.
- Diseases affecting the brain and spinal cord.
- Hemorrhagic and ischemic strokes.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Varicose veins thrombarteritis obliterans.
- Myasthenia gravis and multiple sclerosis.
- Fainting conditions.
An unstable gait can occur when wearing uncomfortable shoes.
Diseases of the brain and spinal cord
When a person is healthy, he does not have a question how to maintain balance in an upright position, since this function is automatically regulated by the vestibular apparatus and muscular system. Impaired coordination of movements, including gait, can occur with diseases of the spinal cord and brain. These organs are responsible for the functioning of the central nervous system, and therefore the diseases associated with them lead to this kind of disorder. A patient with impaired vestibular apparatus exhibits a shaky gait, dizziness, instability of the body, and other symptoms.
When the brain is damaged, the organ is not able to give certain signals and control neural processes, and this directly affects the work of the lower extremities.
What pathologies of the brain and spinal cord can lead to impaired coordination?
- Atherosclerosis.
- VSD.
- Hemorrhagic stroke.
- Meningitis.
- Oncological diseases.
- Inflammatory and purulent processes occurring in the brain.
- Anomalies in the location and structure of the “small brain” (cerebellum).
- Functional disorders in the central nervous system.
- Neurodegenerative diseases arising from a background of mental disorders or hyperkinesis.
- Infection with pale treponema, subsequently causing damage to the central nervous system.
- Encephalomyelitis.
- Parkinson's disease.
Inflammatory processes in the inner ear can also lead to impaired coordination. To avoid complications, it is necessary to consult a doctor in a timely manner. He will conduct a thorough examination and prescribe treatment. The cause of a shaky gait can also be the misuse of neurotoxic drugs. An overdose of such drugs leads to the development of polyneuropathy, one of the symptoms of which are coordination disorders.
Locomotor system disorders
There are many pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, in which a person may have a shaky gait. These include:
- osteochondrosis;
- arthritis;
- osteomyelitis;
- arthrosis, etc.
Inflammatory processes and degenerative changes in the joints lead to painful sensations. To alleviate the condition, a person tries to reduce the load on his legs as much as possible, which is why his movements when walking become asymmetric.
For example, with osteochondrosis afferent and efferent fibers (connect the brain to other parts of the body and organs) that go to the lower extremities are infringed. Due to pinching of the nerve roots, muscle tissue and their sensitivity are weakened.
A symptom of a shaky gait can also occur after a fracture of the lower extremities. During the period while the leg was gypsum, the muscle tissues did not function properly, i.e., did not participate in the movement, which led to their atrophy. Until the muscles adapt and come back to their normal state, the patient will have unsteadiness and asymmetry in the gait.
Violations of coordination of movements can occur with stretching and rupture of tendons, as well as paralysis of muscle tissue.
Neuroses and mental disorders
Such a symptom as a shaky gait can occur with various mental disorders and pathologies of the nervous system. These include stressful and depressive states, nervous breakdowns, and neurosis. Also, a violation of coordination can be observed in violation of the perception of surrounding reality, in the presence of groundless fears and anxieties.
Alcohol intoxication
The use of alcohol, narcotic and psychotropic drugs leads to intoxication of the body and disruption of the central nervous system, which is why such a symptom as a shaky gait.
After the poisonous substances enter the digestive system, they are absorbed into the bloodstream and spread to the bloodstream to all organs. These substances penetrate the muscle tissue and the brain, including the cerebellum, which is responsible for the coordination of movements. The maximum concentration of a substance in the blood is observed 20 minutes after taking alcohol or a drug.
In women, the intoxicating effect is much more pronounced than in the stronger sex. The whole thing lies in the characteristics of the body. Women have more fatty tissues, and as you know, alcohol-containing substances do not dissolve in them. Since the muscular system first weakens during alcohol intoxication, therefore, the manifestations of poisoning in the fairer sex are more pronounced.
In the process of the breakdown of alcohol, a very harmful, poisonous substance, acetaldehyde, is released. It negatively affects the work of the cerebellum, which leads to impaired coordination. A drunk person’s eyes become cloudy, while walking there is a shaky gait, etc. With severe intoxication, headache, nausea, and vomiting can also occur.
Diagnostics
If there is a shaky gait, you should immediately consult a doctor, since this symptom can hide a very serious disease. After examining the patient and assessing his general state of health, the specialist prescribes additional diagnostic measures that will help to make the correct diagnosis. Depending on the concomitant symptoms, the following can be prescribed:
- MRI
- CT
- consultation of narrow specialists: otolaryngologist, neurosurgeon, etc .;
- MR angiography;
- electroencephalography;
- toxicological expertise;
- general and biochemical blood analysis;
- analysis to determine the concentration of vitamin B12 in the blood.
Treatment
As such, treatment for a shaky gait is not performed, as this is just a symptom. First of all, the doctor must determine what disease led to a violation of the functions of coordination of movements, and only then choose an effective therapy.
The spectrum of diseases in which such symptoms appear is very large. Accordingly, there are a lot of treatment methods. For instance:
- The pathology of the musculoskeletal system is treated with the help of chondroprotectors "Mukosat", "Don" and others, as well as physiotherapy. Additionally, complexes of minerals, muscle relaxants are prescribed.
- If a shaky gait has arisen due to a lack of B vitamins, experts recommend taking medications such as Milgamma, Neuromultivit, Combilipen, etc. These funds have a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
- In multiple sclerosis, glucocorticoid hormones, immunosuppressants, which suppress autoimmune reactions, are used.
- With more serious pathologies, such as brain tumors and other serious conditions, resort to surgical intervention.