Gait Problems and Neuromuscular Abnormalities in an Elderly Patient
What's Your Diagnosis?
Alpesh A. Patel, MD, Michael Daubs, MD, Darrel S. Brodke, MD, Wade Jensen, MD, and Oren Gottfried, MD
Dr. Patel and Dr. Daubs are assistant professors in the department of orthopaedic surgery and Dr. Brodke is a professor of orthopaedic surgery and the director of the University Spine Center, all at the University of Utah School of Medicine (UUSM) in Salt Lake City. In addition, Dr. Patel is the chief of spine surgery and Dr. Daubs and Dr. Brodke are attending physicians, all at the George E. Wahlen VA Medical Center (GWVAMC) in Salt Lake City, Utah. At the time of this writing, Dr. Jensen and Dr. Gottfried were spine fellows at UUSM and attending physicians in the orthopaedic spine service at the GWVAMC.
This patient found it difficult to maintain his balance when walking, and physical examination showed a variety of neurologic and muscle abnormalities. Can you guess his underlying problem?