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Does White Matter Disease Affect The Balancing Issues?
Question: Does white matter disease effect balance?
( Within the last 16 months, I had a broken r.hip, r knee replacement, right kidney removed due to "mass", lots of PT but tonight lost balance just standing and fell backwards to wall and fortunately no concussion. I love to walk and be active. yes I'm 84, but I'm not one to sit and watch TV. I plan to get some balance PT, but should I do more??))
( Within the last 16 months, I had a broken r.hip, r knee replacement, right kidney removed due to "mass", lots of PT but tonight lost balance just standing and fell backwards to wall and fortunately no concussion. I love to walk and be active. yes I'm 84, but I'm not one to sit and watch TV. I plan to get some balance PT, but should I do more??))
Brief Answer:
Yes, it does.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern and your desire to be active.
White matter disease is associated with impairment of gait and balance since it compromises the integrity of the neural network responsible for movement control. Of course it depends also on the degree, in mild white matter disease that usually is not the case, only in moderate or severe cases.
As for whether you should do more, when the cause is white matter disease then there is not much you can do apart from balance PT which you yourself mention (and should pursue). You can only slow progression by controlling vessel risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol etc when they are present, but otherwise there is not any specific therapy for white matter disease.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Yes, it does.
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern and your desire to be active.
White matter disease is associated with impairment of gait and balance since it compromises the integrity of the neural network responsible for movement control. Of course it depends also on the degree, in mild white matter disease that usually is not the case, only in moderate or severe cases.
As for whether you should do more, when the cause is white matter disease then there is not much you can do apart from balance PT which you yourself mention (and should pursue). You can only slow progression by controlling vessel risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol etc when they are present, but otherwise there is not any specific therapy for white matter disease.
I remain at your disposal for other questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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