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How Do I Examine Postural Disorders in Parkinson's Disease?
Lucia Ameghino1, Malco Rossi1, Marcelo Merello1,2
1Movement Disorders Section Neuroscience Department Raul Carrea Institute for Neurological Research (FLENI) Buenos Aires Argentina.
Movement Disorders Clinical Practice
|March 7, 2019
Summary
Parkinson's disease (PD) commonly causes disabling postural abnormalities like antecollis and Pisa syndrome. These conditions often coexist with scoliosis and have complex causes including muscle rigidity and spinal changes.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Movement Disorders
- Spinal Disorders
Background:
- Postural abnormalities are frequent and disabling complications in Parkinson's disease (PD).
- Common deformities include camptocormia, antecollis, Pisa syndrome, and scoliosis.
- Pathophysiology is multifactorial, involving rigidity, axial dystonia, myopathy, proprioception deficits, and spinal changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To clarify the characteristics and diagnostic considerations of postural abnormalities in Parkinson's disease.
- To differentiate between various postural syndromes and their relationship with scoliosis.
Main Methods:
- Review of literature on Parkinson's disease and associated postural deformities.
- Clinical definitions and diagnostic criteria for antecollis, camptocormia, and Pisa syndrome.
- Emphasis on the role of scoliosis and patient positioning (supine vs. standing) in diagnosis.
Main Results:
- Antecollis is forward head and neck flexion, often mild in PD.
- Camptocormia involves significant thoracolumbar flexion (>45°), largely resolving when supine.
- Pisa syndrome presents as lateral trunk flexion (>10°), improving with passive movement or supine positioning.
- Scoliosis is common in PD, meaning camptocormia and Pisa syndrome rarely occur in isolation.
Conclusions:
- Accurate diagnosis of postural deformities in PD requires considering scoliosis.
- Patient positioning and passive mobilization are key diagnostic aids.
- Understanding these distinctions is crucial for managing PD-related posture issues.