As we age, it’s natural to experience changes in physical abilities. Usually the first areas affected are dexterity, strength, and coordination. These shifts often lead to slower walking speed, increased dependence on handrails or grab bars, and other subtle differences in how we move.
Other changes are not so subtle, including a common change that family members notice where an older adult seems to drag their feet instead of lifting them with each step.
While some gait changes are a normal part of the aging process, a shuffling gait can sometimes be a sign of an underlying health issue. It’s a signal that something may be affecting your loved one’s ability to maintain their balance and walk securely.
So, how can you tell if a shuffling gait is just a part of getting older, or if it’s something that requires a closer look? Understanding what a shuffling gait is and its potential causes can help you determine the best next steps for supporting your loved one’s mobility and overall well-being.
What is a shuffling gait?
To understand what’s happening with a shuffling gait, it helps to first picture a normal walking pattern. A typical step involves a sequence of coordinated leg movements: you lift one foot off the ground, swing it forward, and place it down again, usually heel-first. As this happens, your other foot pushes off the ground to propel you forward. Steps are usually a consistent length apart, and your feet clear the ground with each stride.
A shuffling gait looks quite different. Instead of distinct steps, the feet barely leave the floor, dragging a toe or heel along the ground. This can result in:
- Shorter, slower steps: Stride length is significantly reduced, and the pace of walking slows down.
- Poor foot clearance: Because the feet are not lifted properly, there is an increased risk of tripping over small obstacles like rugs, debris, or uneven ground.
- A stooped posture: The person may be bent forward at the waist, perhaps watching their feet.
- Reduced arm swing: The natural arm swing that accompanies a normal gait may be diminished or absent.
This type of walking pattern is often involuntary in response to changes in balance, sensation, or strength. It’s not a “lazy” way of walking; it’s frequently a symptom of an underlying issue that affects muscle control, balance, or neurological function.
Causes of shuffling gait
A shuffling gait can stem from a variety of causes, ranging from simple muscle weakness to more complex neurological conditions. Observing your loved one can provide clues, but a professional evaluation by a physical therapist is often helpful for an accurate diagnosis.
Here are some of the most common shuffling gait causes:
- Muscle weakness and deconditioning: As people age, they may become less active, leading to a loss of muscle mass and strength, particularly in the legs and core. Weak hip flexors, quadriceps, and shin muscles make it difficult to lift the feet properly, leading to dragging.
- Fear of falling: After a fall or a near-fall, it’s common for older adults to develop a fear of falling again. This anxiety can cause them to adopt a more cautious, shuffling walk with a wider stance to feel more stable, even though this type of gait can actually increase their fall risk.
- Balance issues: The systems that control our balance—the inner ear (vestibular system), vision, and sensory feedback from our feet and joints (proprioception)—can decline with age. When this system is compromised, a person may shuffle to keep their feet closer to the ground in an attempt to maintain stability.
- Arthritis and joint pain: Pain and stiffness from conditions like osteoarthritis, especially in the hips, knees, or ankles, can make it uncomfortable to lift the legs and take full steps. A shuffling gait may be a way to compensate and minimize discomfort while walking.
- Neurological conditions: Several neurological disorders are strongly associated with a shuffling gait, most commonly Parkinson’s and dementia.
- Medication side effects: Some medications, particularly antipsychotics or strong sedatives, can have side effects that affect motor control and lead to a shuffling walk.
Because the potential causes are so varied, observation alone isn’t enough to pinpoint the issue. A thorough evaluation with a trusted and understanding doctor or movement specialist, such as a Physical Therapist at Franklin Rehabilitation, is the best way to get an accurate diagnosis and recommendations for improving mobility.
Can a shuffling gait be treated?
The good news is that in many cases, a shuffling gait can be improved or managed. Treatment depends heavily on the underlying cause.
If the cause is related to muscle weakness, fear of falling, or general muscle weakness, physical therapy can be highly effective. A therapist can develop a personalized program that may include:
- Strengthening exercises: Targeting the leg, hip, and core muscles to provide the strength needed to lift the feet and take longer steps.
- Balance and mobility training: Exercises designed to improve stability, coordination, and confidence during movement. This can help reduce the fear of falling.
- Gait training: A therapist can provide specific cues and techniques to help retrain their walking pattern, encouraging longer strides and better foot clearance.
- Assistive devices: In some cases, a walker or cane can provide the necessary support to improve safety and encourage a more normal gait pattern.
When the shuffling gait is caused by a neurological condition like Parkinson’s disease, the focus of treatment expands. While physical therapy remains crucial for managing motor symptoms, it may be just a part of a broader care plan. The goals may shift to include neuromuscular training to help the brain and muscles communicate more effectively and interventions to slow the worsening of cognitive and motor symptoms.
Gait and mobility training at Franklin Rehabilitation
Noticing a change in your loved one’s walk can be concerning, but it’s also an opportunity to seek help and improve their quality of life. Addressing symptoms like shuffling gait can enhance safety, boost confidence, and help your loved one maintain their independence for longer.
At Franklin Rehabilitation, our experienced Physical Therapists specialize in assessing and treating gait and balance disorders in older adults. We can perform a comprehensive evaluation to identify the root cause of the change and design a tailored therapy program to help your loved one walk more safely and confidently.
Start a conversation about your concerns by calling our clinic or by requesting an appointment online today.