The following article appears in response to questions from patients, spouses, and family members. PSP is uncommon. In time, the differences, distinctions between PSP and PD become readily apparent. Often, PSP patients begin with balance difficulty and falls. This is unlike PD where balance difficulty and falls occur later.
Rigidity is less prominent and pronounced in the arms and legs.
And, rigidity, when present in the arms and legs is equal on both sides. In PD rigidity is more prominent and pronounced in the arms and legs than the neck and spine. And, in PD one side, the right or the left, is usually more effected than the other. Consequently, the neck bends backward the patient perpetually looking up at the ceiling. Consequently, the neck bends forward the patient perpetually looking down at the floor.