Diagnosis of psychogenic (functional) gait disorders

Psychogenic gait is common in patients with medically unexplained neurological symptoms and provides significant challenges to healthcare providers. Clinicians may arrive at a correct diagnosis earlier if distinctive positive signs are identified acknowledged. disorders of posture the major manifestation 8–10 % psychogenic movement disorders. can present varied phenomenology that resemble organic The based on clinical evaluation supporting history classic features neurologic examination. In functional disorders, walking often bizarre does not conform any usual patterns observed Astasia-abasia, an inability stand (astasia) or walk (abasia) absence other abnormalities, was term applied by investigators mid late 19thcentury describe certain frankly gait. Other descriptive terms include gaits ice, sticky surface, through water (bringing mind excessive slowness), tightrope walking, habitual limping, bizarre, robotic, knock-kneed, trepidant, anxious, cautious gaits. Ancillary testing, such as imaging neurophysiologic studies, provide supplementary information but necessary for diagnosis.