The Stork gait is a pathological type of gait that is characterized by excessive flexion of the hips when walking and high elevation of drop feet. This can be caused by a variety of causes, including muscle atrophy in the distal lower extremities due to hereditary neuromuscular diseases such as neural hereditary amyotrophy.
When walking with the Stork gait, a person lifts their feet high in the air, which causes their hips to flex heavily. This occurs because the leg muscles become weak and cannot support the body in an upright position. As a result, the person is forced to use their hips to maintain balance, which causes them to flex excessively.
In addition, with this gait, the feet may drop down, which is also associated with atrophy of the leg muscles. This causes the feet to droop, making walking difficult.
The Stork's gait can be very dangerous to human health, as it can lead to various injuries and fractures of the bones of the lower extremities. In addition, it can cause discomfort and pain in the legs, and also impair a person’s quality of life.
To treat Stork's gait, you need to consult a neurologist or physiotherapist. They can prescribe various treatments such as exercise therapy, massage, physical therapy and others. Surgery may also be required to strengthen the leg muscles and restore their function.
It is important to remember that the Stork's gait is a symptom of a serious illness, so it is necessary to seek medical help as soon as possible. Only timely treatment can help prevent the development of complications and improve the quality of life of a person with such a gait.
Stork Gait: Features and Reasons
The Stork gait is a phenomenon characterized by excessive flexion of the hips and high lifting of the drop feet. This gait is observed in people with atrophy of the muscles of the distal legs, in particular, with neural hereditary amyotrophy.
Neural hereditary amyotrophy (NAA) is a group of rare genetic disorders characterized by the gradual degeneration of the nerve cells responsible for muscle movement. With NNA, muscles located at a considerable distance from the central nervous system, such as the muscles of the lower leg and foot, atrophy. This leads to impaired neuromuscular coordination and changes in gait.
One of the characteristic signs of NNA is the gait of the Stork. In this type of gait, patients flex their hips to an excessive degree and raise their feet higher than normal. This is a compensatory mechanism that helps overcome decreased muscle strength and strain associated with muscle atrophy.
Why does this particular gait occur in neural hereditary amyotrophy? The answer lies in the changes that occur in the muscles and nerves of this disease. As NAD progresses, the muscles become weaker and atrophy, leading to loss of control of movement. However, with Amytrophy, the muscles of the thigh, which are more proximal and do not suffer from atrophy to the same extent as the muscles of the leg and foot, become involved in the motor process. The result is excessive flexion of the hips and elevation of the feet, which creates the impression of a stork-like gait.
The Stork Walk may be accompanied by other symptoms associated with neural hereditary amyotrophy, such as muscle weakness, decreased sensitivity and problems with coordination of movements. The level of severity of the Stork's gait may vary depending on the degree of muscle atrophy and the individual characteristics of the patient.
Treatment for neural hereditary amyotrophy and Stork gait is aimed at reducing symptoms and maintaining the patient's maximum functionality. Doctors may recommend physical therapy, exercise therapy, orthoses to support muscles, and other rehabilitation methods. It is also important to provide the patient with support and assistance in everyday life, as well as psychological support to cope with the emotional aspects of the disease.
In conclusion, the Stork gait is a characteristic feature of neural hereditary amyotrophy associated with muscle atrophy of the distal legs. This type of gait occurs as a result of compensatory mechanisms used by the body to overcome muscle weakness and deformities. Treatment is aimed at improving patients' quality of life and maintaining their functionality. It is important to seek medical help and follow the recommendations of specialists to effectively manage symptoms and cope with the challenges associated with neural hereditary amyotrophy.