Gait changes after deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease in a patient with cervical myelopathy

Article type: Case Report

Authors: Farris, Sierra M. | Giroux, Monique L.^{; *}

Affiliations: Booth Gardner Parkinson's Care Center, Kirkland, WA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Monique L. Giroux, M.D., Booth Gardner Parkinson's Care Center, 13030 121st Way NE, Suite 203, Kirkland, WA 98034, USA. E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: Subthalamic (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for advanced Parkinson's disease. We present a patient with significant gait problems due to Parkinson's disease (PD) who underwent STN DBS. Gait worsened after surgery despite significant improvement in parkinsonian signs, due to underlying spasticity previously overshadowed by his parkinsonian motor symptoms. This case illustrates an emergence of dysfunction in gait in a patient with otherwise improved function and reinforces the need for an interdisciplinary approach to care of these patients.

DOI: 10.3233/NRE-2008-23308

Journal: NeuroRehabilitation, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 263-265, 2008