In Eskişehir, Dr. Berrin Akpınar said that thanks to the new virtual rehabilitation method used in the treatment of patients with walking and balance disorders, they can be treated in a fun way with game-shaped exercise programs.
Eskişehir Fizyomer Terapia Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Medical Center doctor Berrin Akpınar said that walking and balance disorders can occur due to many reasons and said, “Roughly, the causes of the neurological system (some congenital diseases, a neurological disease, some nervous system diseases, muscle diseases, Parkinson's, Multiple Sclerosis (MS), stroke), causes of the musculoskeletal system (hip and knee prosthesis surgeries, lower extremity fractures, sprains, nerve damage in the foot, tendon problems, spinal curvatures and diseases, rheumatism, flat feet).”
“Many branches should be examined”
Dr. Akpınar stated that in addition to these; advancing age, circulatory system problems, decreased levels of minerals such as sodium, potassium and magnesium in the blood can also cause gait disorders. Stating that in order to diagnose gait and balance disorders, it is necessary to benefit from the examination and triggers of many branches such as physical therapy, neurology, orthopedics, internal medicine, otolaryngology, Dr. Akpınar said, “The basis of the treatment approach to gait disorders is to identify and eliminate the underlying condition. In walking disorders caused by causes such as trauma, walking can return to normal with the healing of the damage caused. In fractures, plaster applications or surgical intervention may be needed in severe cases. If the underlying cause of gait disturbance is infection, antibiotics or antiviral drugs may be prescribed by physicians depending on the causative agent of the disease. In individuals with permanent walking disorders, walking aids such as crutches, orthopedic leg braces, walkers or canes may be used.”
“Virtual rehabilitation method can be used”
Stating that the aim of the treatment of an individual with balance and walking problems is to ensure that the person continues to live independently and with good balance by regaining lost or damaged functions, Dr. Akpınar listed the goals to be achieved with gait disorder exercises as follows:
“Strengthening muscles and joints, improving posture and balance, increasing endurance, acclimatizing the legs to repetitive movements, reducing the risk of falls by increasing mobility.”
“The exercise program can be performed more intensively according to the condition of the patients”
Dr. Akpınar, in the treatment of walking and balance disorders, “Exercise programs (primarily balance coordination and leg stretching and strengthening exercises) are organized as a work with a physiotherapist. The exercise program, which includes movements such as walking on treadmills, climbing and descending on objects, leg lifting, squatting, sitting or standing up, can be performed more intensively or longer depending on the condition of the patients.”
“The patient is not bored during rehabilitation”
Stating that in addition to these, virtual rehabilitation methods have started to be used in recent years, Dr. Akpınar continued his speech, “The patient exercises according to the games or applications on the screen in front of him. Thanks to the exercise programs in the form of games, the patient does not get bored during rehabilitation and his/her participation is better. When all these rehabilitation methods are used repeatedly, the patient's balance can be improved by stimulating the balance centers with continuous stimuli to the brain.”
“Treatment and rehabilitation support should be started as soon as it is realized”
Dr. Akpınar added that every person with gait and balance disorders should be evaluated together with their individual risk factors and continued as follows:
“It should not be too late for approaches to be applied for gait and balance disorders, and treatment and rehabilitation support should be started as soon as they are recognized. It should not be forgotten that gait and balance impairment may be a mild condition that requires some simple measures or very little medication, or it may be a symptom of a neurological or systemic disease that should not be neglected.”
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