Search on the internet for early signs of Parkinson’s disease. Surprisingly, you will not find foot drag on most of the lists. Yet, Ali Samil, in the chapter “Cardinal Features of Early Parkinson’s Disease,” in the book “Parkinson’s Disease: Diagnosis and Clinical Management,” lists foot drag as an important early symptom.
I have been dealing with foot drag for a few years — that squeak of the sneaker on the kitchen floor when the foot drag catches, scuff marks left behind. While at a professional conference, the foot drag caught the top edge of a stair just as I was headed down, and down I went, grasping the handrail to rescue an awful fall. Recently, it has been much worse, and oh, what a drag it is now.
Reflecting on it, it seems almost impossible that I could seriously hurt my foot walking on a flat, carpeted surface with no obstacles in the way. But that is exactly what happened. Walking barefoot on a carpeted floor, my foot dragged, and then my big toe jammed into the carpet — HARD! I screamed, tears flowed, and I fell to the floor weeping from the pain. The toe turned a nice purple shortly thereafter, but luckily nothing was broken. I don’t walk barefoot anywhere now, except for a few steps in and out of the shower.
I am surprised that there is not more mention of foot drag in the lists of early PD symptoms. If it is a cardinal early symptom, then both patients and care providers should be given the heads up (or maybe feet down), along with some guidelines on how to adjust.
If a patient does have this symptom, then perhaps it doesn’t show up all the time, but rather only during off periods and deep fatigue. If the patient has a favorite pair of shoes, then perhaps signs of the foot drag can be seen on the wear pattern in the shoes.
The indications of foot drag problems don’t have to be as dramatic as my story before they become something that needs attention. My attention is given to the footwear I purchase, limiting my walking during deep fatigue, and carefully watching my feet when changing surface levels (such as a curb on sidewalks).
Maybe there are readers out there who have dealt with foot drag and have a story to tell with suggestions about how to cope. Next time someone says to you, “Quit dragging your feet on this,” tell them about this column.
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Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.
https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2018/12/07/pd-early-symptoms-foot-drag-oh-what-drag-it-is/
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