Although gait abnormalities in Parkinson's disease are very common, the presenting symptoms are frequently resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, and postural instability.
Older patients have a syndrome of predominantly axial rigidity and gait disorders.
The features of the major symptoms are presented below along with those of the gait disorders. The tremor of Parkinson's disease is a rest tremor. It is absent, or diminished with sleep, sedation, and when performing skilled acts. This type of tremor is not seen in any other basal ganglia disorder, thus it can be used to help make a firm diagnosis even when other signs might be absent. Initially, the tremor is usually one-sided.