How do you differentiate ataxia and disequilibrium?

Answer:

“So, how do you differentiate ataxia and disequilibrium? Generally ataxia I’m looking for a wide-based gait, a bit more of a shuffling perhaps. Disequilibrium can be maybe a little bit less severe, less exciting. Most of our patients are coming in saying that, “Oh yeah, I have disequilibrium. I have poor balance”, but those ataxic patients, you see them when they come in from the waiting room and are demonstrating a pretty wide-based gait.”

RESOURCES & LINKS:

  • This Q&A is an excerpt from the Vestibular Health Summit Sessions
  • The Vestibular Health Summit Sessions are included with 360NeuroGO Enterprise

FACULTY:

Jamie Bogle, AuD, PhD

Dr. Jamie M. Bogle currently works at the Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona. During her time at Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, she has provided patient care, mentored 17 students, and developed the Mayo Clinic Sport Neurology and Concussion Program which provides baseline concussion measurements and post-concussion testing in a team approach with neurology and neuropsychology. In addition to this, she also holds academic ranks at not only Mayo Clinic, but three other universities (University of Colorado at Boulder, Salus University, and Gallaudet University). She lectures on vestibular sciences, diagnostics, and treatment. In addition to academic teaching, she has also presented at numerous conferences and seminars including at the American Academy of Audiology, American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, and the American Balance Society.

Bridgett Wallace, PT, DPT

Bridgett Wallace, PT, DPT, has a doctorate of physical therapy and holds competency-based certifications in vestibular rehabilitation and concussion management. Dr. Wallace has been treating patients with dizziness and balance disorders for more than 20 years and is the founder and President of 360 Balance & Dizziness – a specialty clinic for the evaluation and treatment of dizziness and balance disorders that includes both audiology and therapy services. She is also the co-founder and Director of Clinical Education for 360 Neuro Health Institute, which provides online, mobile, and live educational offerings for healthcare providers.