Schiller's Symptom

Movements towards the paretic arm affected by a neurological disease are less pronounced or absent altogether. Active “contralateral” rotation of the leg is more often deviated towards the weakly affected limb. Characterized by less correct, less differentiated and less coordinated movements of the leg that is not injured, and in the affected leg there is a feeling of a “scraping” nature of the movements. These symptoms are often combined with ataxia (imbalance) in movement, when the patient steps unsteadily, in small steps, as if choosing a hard surface with his feet when walking. In such conditions, it is difficult for the patient to maintain balance, especially when walking quickly. Motor disorders affecting body support are not always adequately corrected in an emotionally calm state. The patient does not hold the body in a stable standing position

Schiller's symptom is the patient's ability to walk in steps, while on the side of the paresis the steps can be more active and free than on the opposite side. This is a sign of central damage - hemiparesis.

Schiller described this symptom at the beginning of the 20th century when examining patients with hemiplegia. He drew attention to the fact that most people can only walk on that side of the hemisyndrome. On the opposite side there were opportunities for slight movement. And, in rare cases, patients were able to walk on that side, but not as freely as on the healthy side.

Unfortunately, there is no exact data on the causes of this symptom; the reasons may vary from patient to patient. But there is a theory that this is due to the fact that the patient does not move on the hemisinotrophic side, but next to it, because the sides with symptoms and the other side are anti-gravity. In other words, the side of the hemisynegria is in the same plane with the ground, and the opposite side is outside this plane. By moving the patient on the other side of gravity, their body becomes more stable and confidence arises. And on the side with signs of hemisynapdrasis, it is necessary to overcome gravity, which causes muscles to tense and coordination of movements decreases