Ask the Doctor

My father’s shuffling walk

Published by

I noticed that my 70-year-old father has recently been walking usually with a shuffling gait. Kindly let me know what could be the matter with him.

Julius (by SMS)

 

Aging naturally leads to muscle loss, especially in the thighs and calves. This condition, known as sarcopenia, makes it harder for seniors to lift their feet properly, resulting in a shuffling gait.

The solution is to engage in strength-training exercises tailored to seniors, such as chair squats or resistance band workouts.

However, some people shuffle due to Parkinson’s or some other disease, but they are the exception, of course. Shuffling gait can improve with treatment of the underlying cause—such as taking medications to treat Parkinson’s disease or getting blood sugar levels under control if the person has diabetes.

Treatment for shuffling gait often includes physical therapy, regardless of the underlying cause.

READ ALSO: 

Recent Posts

The Buhari that lives in the Nigerian mind

As it so often tends to be with people who have headed a country, Muhammadu…

19 minutes ago

Awujale: Religion alien to spiritual, cultural identity of Ìjẹ̀bú-Ode — KOOOF chairman

"He must vacate the throne to continue to enjoy his new-found fundamental rights and not…

2 hours ago

Oyo guber: Aborisade meets PDP leaders in Ibarapa

Aborisade, who declared to contest for governor of the state a few days ago, was…

3 hours ago

AGF denies FG’s involvement in First Holdco share acquisition

The Office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) has refuted recent media reports…

3 hours ago

EFCC arrests 23 suspects at Yahoo academy in Abia

The arrested trainees include Toona Henry, Tavershima Solomon, Chi Orseer James, Ubee Benjamin, Gabriel Ibe…

3 hours ago

Stablecoins: Trump signs first major crypto bill into law

It makes it easier for banks and other financial institutions to issue stablecoins

3 hours ago

Welcome

Install

This website uses cookies.