HomeAnswersNeurologygait disordersMy father is not able to walk properly. Should we get a CT scan?

Shall I go with CT scan to know the reason for my father's problem?

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Published At August 31, 2016
Reviewed AtJanuary 30, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My father is not able to walk properly. His x-ray is fine. I guess it as some brain issue. Shall I go with computed tomography (CT) scan? Kindly suggest.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. If patient not able to walk properly, then there are three most common possibilities. 1. He has problem in the brain. 2. He has problem in the spine. 3. He has problem in peripheral nerves. If he has brain problem, then he might have a stroke or NPH (normal pressure hydrocephalus). If it is a stroke, then the weakness would be of sudden onset and in case of NPH, it would be of gradual onset. The brain problems would have other symptoms also, I mean other than weakness. The preferred investigation with this scenario would be CT scan of brain. Spine problem and walking difficulty would be of slow onset, commonly with neck or back pain. It would be in both the legs in case of cervical spine and mostly on one side of lumbar spine. Here, the preferred investigation would be x-rays of neck and back in technical terms cervical and lumbar anteroposterior and lateral x-rays. The peripheral nerve weakness would be only in a particular group of muscles and may be associated with loss of sensation in small or particular areas of the limb. Here, the preferred further investigation would be NCV studies (nerve conduction velocity) of both lower limbs.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Hardik Nareshbhai Rajyaguru
Dr. Hardik Nareshbhai Rajyaguru

Neurology

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