Freezing of gait

What it means

Freezing of gait is defined as a brief, episodic absence or marked reduction of forward progression of the feet despite the intention to walk.

Freezing of gait is one of the most debilitating motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease as it may lead to falls and a loss of independence. Patients may report that their feet are stuck to the floor as if held by magnets when trying to walk, resulting in a temporary blockage of the motor function involved in ambulation.

Rare diseases that can present with this4

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category

Also called: Freezing gait