exercises to improve walking

[Tschanne]

I have an incomplete SCI injury and fortunately I am able to walk although with not nearly with the fluidity that I had prior to my accident a year ago. Some days are better than others and usually after a bit of distance walking, things seem to smooth out just a little bit. After sitting a while the first few steps are the roughest  but most days I'll walk like a rusted tin man although others a little better. My balance and stability are off also which contributes to that as well, I'm hoping that as more time passes the better things will get.

Does anyone have a certain exercise that has helped improve their gait and smooth things out a bit. I go to the gym and work out five days a week and usually will walk about a mile on the treadmill a couple of times a week. I'll use the elliptical machine on the days I don't walk. Aside from strength and muscle tone returning I'm not seeing and feeling much in the way of improved walking.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Tom

[Gary Anderson]

I too have an incomplete injury caused by cauda equina syndrome. Like you, I prefer to stay mobile and now 20 years since my injury I am determined to stay on my feet as long as I can. Something I found which helped me - although I appreciate that not everyone is lucky enough to work within the NHS!! - was functional electrical simulation - or FES therapy as it is called. It may be worth asking your doctor if he knows of something like this for you. It is electrical currents going into the muscles and does make a difference.

[Tschanne]

Thanks for the reply Gary, I'll ask my doctor more about FES.

[chrisarnold]

Good luck with your efforts today, and hope for tomorrow.

[LW]

Hi Tom,

Personally, I found it was a case of 'practice makes perfect'. I started off not being able to walk at all. Then I walked with a (I hate saying this because I'm only 28 - 26 at the time) zimmer frame. From then on I got round the house with two hands, then one and finally none. When I reached that point I started to get up and walk at every given opportunity, even to do stupid things like make cups of coffee, to get things working again. My legs wanted to move all the time in the end and it stopped me from sleeping, although the steroids I was taking contributed to that as well (they made me hyperactive). I found the more I used them the easier it got; but it took a lot of perserverance and patience. Two years down the line I still get panicky sometimes when I'm out, particularly if I have to walk downhill or it's windy, but I've come on leaps and bounds in terms of mobility. I think you're doing really well to keep working out - stick with it.

[chrisarnold]

Incomplete injuries are unpredictable. Walking is not just a muscular act only. Balance depends on sensory feedback.

I agree with the other posts. Practice does make perfect, and activity is also very important. FES is reputed to develop muscle strength and has produced some very encouraging results.

Well done so far - let onwards and forwards be your mantra.

[Tschanne]

Thanks for the encouraging replies folks. I will continue to press on and as time goes by the walking seems to get a smidge better. Like LW said walking downhill can be tricky. My biggest problem is my right leg tends to drag as I become more fatigued. Some days are much better than others but when I get tired it becomes quite obvious.

As the weather cools here in the Northeast US the stiffness in walking is much worse. Cold damp weather is not my friend.

As Jimmy Buffett sings..........I gotta go where it's warm