1. < Aging Well

Balance & Gait Problems: A Real Puzzler

Posted by Ray Kemble @ray666, Apr 6, 2022

Hello, all!

I'm a 77-year-old retired male. Although I'm generally healthy, I have balance and gait problems. They snuck up on me sneakily, starting (I'm guessing) about ten years ago. They've been manageable until recently (the past 1-2 years); if I were just careful, I'd be okay. Lately, I suspect they're getting worse. (I've fallen twice in the past few months.) My doctor has been puzzled because I have no dizziness (no pain either); everything from my waist up seems A-okay; the lower half of me seems to be the problem. And the lower half of me does have some "issues." My right knee is prosthetic, and my left is arthritic. My orthopedist tells me my 12-year-old prosthetic is in good shape, and my arthritic knee, though occasionally painful, can still be managed with injections. I have seriously flat feet (pronated), for which I have been wearing orthotics for nearly 30 years. The last time I saw my podiatrist, I asked if my bad might be contributing to my balance and gait problems; he thought no, that I still have good circulation and nerve response. At my wit's end, I met with a neurosurgeon, thinking my difficulties might be all "in my head." Two MRIs––brain and cervical spine––showed only "borderline" cervical myelopathy, which the surgeon thought wasn't operable; nor did he think it was the cause of my get-around difficulties. So, I'm at a loss as to where to turn next. Tuesday, I'll be meeting with my primary doctor to go over all of this. I suspect I'll be giving her a real puzzler. I thought I'd post here on the off-chance that others have had similar difficulties figuring out what was causing their balance and gait problems.

Ray (@ray666)

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marye2 | @marye2 | May 12, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "Good morning! I love your comment “I know we are aging gracefully, but the body sometimes..." + (show)
@loribmt

Good morning! I love your comment “I know we are aging gracefully, but the body sometimes seems to be aging aggressively!” Isn’t that the truth?!? 🙄

@sueinmn had some great suggestions for increasing leg strength and asked me to join in the conversation. At this time I don’t have spinal stenosis but I did suffer spinal cord damage a few years ago, which significantly affected my walking. I felt like a toddler! With the help of my PT, as Sue mentioned, I’m back to my 20 year old self in a 68 year old body! 😅
I’ve posted a link from last year where I gave my detailed exercises. The side benefit is that it also helped reverse the osteoporosis in my hips to osteopenia by strengthening the muscles, encouraging new bone growth. Only do these if you are comfortable!

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/638759/

One more that I’m going to add is a good video for strengthening core and our glute muscles. All of these together can help keep the muscles around our spine strong and in good alignment for less pain. https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t-s&ei=UTF-8&p=glute+exercises+for+senior+women#id=1&vid=d75954b17136d9d2dcde966e5e053294&action=click

I think you also really nailed a cause of pain with the realization that certain foods can increase your discomfort. What foods have you found which cause you issues with inflammation?

Jump to this post

I also really like Dr Jo on you tube--she is a PT and some of the exercises are isometric. Two Guys-Bob & Brad are great chiro's who explain the anatomy of what is happening. Due to kidney issues, having to drop NSAIDs so going to depend more on those stretches-always looking for different ones to try.

REPLY
riana1 | @riana1 | May 12, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "Good morning! I love your comment “I know we are aging gracefully, but the body sometimes..." + (show)
@loribmt

Good morning! I love your comment “I know we are aging gracefully, but the body sometimes seems to be aging aggressively!” Isn’t that the truth?!? 🙄

@sueinmn had some great suggestions for increasing leg strength and asked me to join in the conversation. At this time I don’t have spinal stenosis but I did suffer spinal cord damage a few years ago, which significantly affected my walking. I felt like a toddler! With the help of my PT, as Sue mentioned, I’m back to my 20 year old self in a 68 year old body! 😅
I’ve posted a link from last year where I gave my detailed exercises. The side benefit is that it also helped reverse the osteoporosis in my hips to osteopenia by strengthening the muscles, encouraging new bone growth. Only do these if you are comfortable!

https://connect.mayoclinic.org/comment/638759/

One more that I’m going to add is a good video for strengthening core and our glute muscles. All of these together can help keep the muscles around our spine strong and in good alignment for less pain. https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=yfp-t-s&ei=UTF-8&p=glute+exercises+for+senior+women#id=1&vid=d75954b17136d9d2dcde966e5e053294&action=click

I think you also really nailed a cause of pain with the realization that certain foods can increase your discomfort. What foods have you found which cause you issues with inflammation?

Jump to this post

Sugary desserts, sugary drinks, starchy veggies, and processed foods put me in chronic pain if I don’t practice moderation. I cannot tolerate spaghetti made from wheat but can eat rice noodles in moderation. I find homemade soups, salad and baked meats well. I have definitely cut back on fried foods.

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | May 12, 2022
In reply to @riana1 "Sugary desserts, sugary drinks, starchy veggies, and processed foods put me in chronic pain if I..." + (show)
@riana1

Sugary desserts, sugary drinks, starchy veggies, and processed foods put me in chronic pain if I don’t practice moderation. I cannot tolerate spaghetti made from wheat but can eat rice noodles in moderation. I find homemade soups, salad and baked meats well. I have definitely cut back on fried foods.

Jump to this post

This is really interesting. It pretty much validates the list of the foods we should avoid anyway, and you now have proof that the inflammation caused by sugar, starch and processed foods affects how you feel!
We eat similarly at home, but if I do cheat with a decadent dessert or as we say at our house, “It wasn’t my fault, I was coerced into making bad choices.”, I pay for that too! 😅
Thank you for sharing your list. Is there anything you particularly miss eating?

REPLY
1 reply
riana1 | @riana1 | May 12, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "This is really interesting. It pretty much validates the list of the foods we should avoid..." + (show)
@loribmt

This is really interesting. It pretty much validates the list of the foods we should avoid anyway, and you now have proof that the inflammation caused by sugar, starch and processed foods affects how you feel!
We eat similarly at home, but if I do cheat with a decadent dessert or as we say at our house, “It wasn’t my fault, I was coerced into making bad choices.”, I pay for that too! 😅
Thank you for sharing your list. Is there anything you particularly miss eating?

Jump to this post

Yes, I miss potato chips, chocolate cake, lemon pie oh and did I say potato chips 😄

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | May 12, 2022
In reply to @riana1 "Yes, I miss potato chips, chocolate cake, lemon pie oh and did I say potato chips..." + (show)
@riana1

Yes, I miss potato chips, chocolate cake, lemon pie oh and did I say potato chips 😄

Jump to this post

OMG yes!! Potato chips!! Hahah I had a couple the other day…off a friend’s plate when we were out to lunch. “Ohhh look, a butterfly!”…munch munch. 😅.
It was only two chips and it satisfied a craving. No bad after-effects from that little daring escapade. 😇 (and I bought lunch for the both of us).

REPLY
2 replies
riana1 | @riana1 | May 12, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "OMG yes!! Potato chips!! Hahah I had a couple the other day…off a friend’s plate when..." + (show)
@loribmt

OMG yes!! Potato chips!! Hahah I had a couple the other day…off a friend’s plate when we were out to lunch. “Ohhh look, a butterfly!”…munch munch. 😅.
It was only two chips and it satisfied a craving. No bad after-effects from that little daring escapade. 😇 (and I bought lunch for the both of us).

Jump to this post

You’re guuud, stopping at two chips. 😁 Share some of that will power with me.😁

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | May 12, 2022
In reply to @loribmt "OMG yes!! Potato chips!! Hahah I had a couple the other day…off a friend’s plate when..." + (show)
@loribmt

OMG yes!! Potato chips!! Hahah I had a couple the other day…off a friend’s plate when we were out to lunch. “Ohhh look, a butterfly!”…munch munch. 😅.
It was only two chips and it satisfied a craving. No bad after-effects from that little daring escapade. 😇 (and I bought lunch for the both of us).

Jump to this post

I found the way to cut down on chips. Just occasionally buy a small serving. We just have to have them with our tuna or chicken salad (with wild rice instead of pasta.)
Sue

REPLY
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | May 13, 2022

@sueinmn
I only have a few fritos on a rare occasion with a tuna, turkey or my favorite a pastrami sandwich but would rather indulge in a decadent desert!! Wouldn’t you? Sure you would.
Jake

REPLY
bonnieb81 | @bonnieb81 | May 13, 2022

Hi Ray! I’m Bonnie, caregiver 9 yrsto my husband now 92 ( me 84)! 41 yrs together!!! This man, my husband has9 yrs of weird ‘symptoms, diagnoses… (4) diagnosed Dementias plus 5 chronic illnesses… one duagnosis is called Autonomic
Nervous Syndrome… or for
him Autonomic Hypotension. Not sure of your age.. but along with ‘hypotension NOH is Neurogenic Orthostatic
Hypotension . It caused huge drops in blood pressure on my husband… while standing up from sitting position!,.. then his right leg went out from under him, causing falls, many!!!! I’m certainly NOT a medical professional but this seems apparent in the elderly! Orthostatic) ( notice in nursing homes, rehabs ‘or wheelchairs… instead of upright on walkers!!! Called ‘CYA’ for their own protection rom falls if the patrons ( patients). Just saying… maybe cardiologists vs neurologists seem to have different opinions on ‘autonomic’ or disautonomia! (?) my husband has had multiple strokes (Tia’s) sent to Hospice as Terminal… NO… once more I have him in rehab. Hoping for one serious physical therapy session.. last resort. I have no idea on your own diagnosis, but I had to give you just my experience with husbands falls.. may not be related. I wish you the very best.. diagnostics major lacking in our medical system! Such as it is!!!!

REPLY
Leonard | @jakedduck1 | May 13, 2022

@bonnieb81
Just curious, was your husband sent to hospice only because of TIA’s or did he have a hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke after the TIA’s or other potentially terminal diseases?
Take care,
Jake

REPLY
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