Figure 3.

The diagnostic approach to the classification of gait disturbances

(a) Classification is initially based on the clinical description of the gait disturbances

(b) A probable diagnosis is formulated on the basis of the results of ancillary testing and of the patient’s further course

(c) The definite diagnosis can only be established by autopsy

In this approach, anatomical and etiological classifications are not attempted in stage (a), as these cannot be securely established on clinical grounds alone (e.g., frontal gait disturbance). On the other hand, a correct descriptive designation of the gait disturbance is possible at the beginning, before the ancillary findings and further course are known (e.g., ataxic gait disturbance). Classification modified from Snijders et al. (13)