Festinating Gait

Last reviewed by Dr.Mary on August 7th, 2018.

What is Festinating Gait?

This is also known as the Parkinsonian gait and is the type of gait that those with Parkinson’s disease present. Gait is one of the motor characteristics most affected by Parkinson’s although the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are diverse and cover a wide variety of symptoms and signs.


Festinating gait is marked by tiny steps that are shuffling and slowness generally of movement known as hypokinesia or in some cases the complete loss of the ability to move known as akinesia.

Patients with PD show a reduced length in stride and speed of walking during free ambulation while double support duration and rate of cadence are increased. The individual has problems starting but also has problems stopping after starting. This is all due to hypertonicity of muscles.

Festinating Gait Symptoms

The list of symptoms and signs mentioned in various medical resources include the following:

  • Stiff, shuffling walk
  • Abnormal walk
  • Quickness of walking motion that is involuntary

Causes of Festinating Gait

This manner of walking in an individual’s speed escalates in an effect that is unconscious to “catch up” with a displaced center of gravity. This condition is believed to be instigated by a deficiency in the circuit of the basal ganglia that leads to deficits with motor skills.

Gait is analyzed by evaluation of the manner of walking typically performed by observing the individual naturally walking in a straight line. The standard forward step entails two phases:

  • Stance phase – one leg and foot are upholding almost all of the weight of the body
  • Swing phase – the foot is in touch with the surface for walking and the weight of the body is upheld by the opposite foot and leg

In a finished 2 step phase, both feet are in touch at the identical time with the floor for approximately 25% of the time. This portion of the phase is denoted as the “double-support phase”.

Festinating Gait Treatment

Treatment of the condition that is the cause of the “hypertonicity” and changes in gait may aid a festinating gait configuration. Even though it is not probable to cure Parkinson’s disease and many other reasons of hypertonicity leading to festination, there are drugs that also may be used in treating precise symptoms and making the patient more comfortable. These options for treatment may be chatted with a physician about. Physical therapy may also be aid for helping the individuals organize for the worsening of the symptoms.

If an individual rapidly develops a gait change and there is no reason known, it is advisable to visit your primary care physician. Gait changes may be a symptom of disorders neurologically, as well as muscle and joint injuries. A physician will interview the individual, examine the person, and endorse some testing to learn about what is happening inside the body. The more rapidly that a cause is identified and treated, the better the prognosis will be.

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