What is a primary feature of sensory ataxia in gait?

In sensory ataxia, a primary feature of gait is the wide base of support. This occurs because individuals with sensory ataxia often struggle with proprioception, which is the sense that helps the body understand its position in space. As a compensatory mechanism for their loss of balance and coordination, they adopt a wider stance to stabilize themselves while walking. This adjustment allows them to maintain better equilibrium and reduce the risk of falls, as their body's awareness of limb positioning is impaired.

Other gait characteristics commonly associated with sensory ataxia include an unsteady or irregular gait pattern, which may involve excessive lateral movement. The other options describe different postural or gait abnormalities that are not specifically indicative of sensory ataxia. For instance, a stooped posture often suggests conditions like Parkinson's disease, short shuffling steps relate more to bradykinesia, and thigh crossing is associated with spasticity or other neurological conditions affecting motor control.