Rigidity or stiff or inflexible muscles is one of the main symptoms of Parkinson’s, alongside tremor and slowness of movement. Not everyone will experience all of these symptoms.
In Parkinson’s rigidity is often most noticeable when you move a joint through a circular movement. The movement often feels as if the joint is moving through a number of cogs, known as ‘cogwheel rigidity’.
Some people also experience a constant resistance to motion throughout the entire range of movement, known as ‘lead pipe rigidity’.
Parkinson’s and Rigidity
Rigidity can stop muscles from stretching and relaxing. It can cause:
- Stiff muscles
- Inflexible muscles
- Pain and muscle cramps
- Fixed ‘mask-like’ facial expression
- Inability to swing arm or arms when walking
- Difficulties getting out of chairs, turning over in bed and turning around
- Difficulties with fine movements such as writing or doing up buttons
- Postural change
- Fatigue
I spoke to a PwP who said, “I have PD induced COPD and PD induced restrictive lung disease..(rigid diaphragms and chest wall muscles.) PD is suffocating me at 43% vital capacity as my lungs collapse.”
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Standing up to Parkinson's 