7. Disorders Of Stance & Gait

Question 0

Phase of the gait cycle during which the foot is in contact with the ground

Answer 0

Stance phase

Question 1

The period between successive points at which the heel of the same foot strikes the ground

Answer 1

Gait cycle

Question 2

Phase of the gait cycle that begins when the toes leave the ground

Answer 2

Swing phase

Question 3

What are the requirements for locomotion in an upright bipedal position?

Answer 3

1) antigravity support of the body
2) stepping
3) maintenance of equilibrium
4) a means of propulsion

Question 4

What are the muscles of greatest importance in maintaining the erect posture?

Answer 4

1) erector spinae

2) extensors of hips & knees

Question 5

The rhythm & number of steps per minute

Answer 5

Cadence

Question 6

This sign is the clearest indication that the origin of the problem is a loss of proprioceptive sensibility

Answer 6

Romberg sign

Question 7

Type of abnormal gait wherein the main feature is a wide base, unsteadiness, irregularity of steps, & lateral veering

Answer 7

Cerebellar gait

Question 8

The principle features of this abnormal gait are the brusqueness of movement of the legs & stamping of the feet as the foot is forcibly brought down on the floor (ostensibly to detect the location of the foot as a substitute for proprioception). The most specific feature is that the ataxia is markedly exaggerated when the patient is deprived of visual cues.

Answer 8

Gait of sensory ataxia

Question 9

This gait pattern is caused by paralysis of the pretibial & peroneal muscles, with resultant activity to dorsiflex the foot

Answer 9

Steppage/ equine/ foot-drop gait

Question 10

Gait pattern wherein the leg tends to rotate outward to describe a semicircle, first away from then toward the trunk (circumduction) & the foot scrapes the floor

Answer 10

Hemiplegic gait

Question 11

Gait pattern wherein the legs are extended or slightly bent at the knees & the thighs may be strongly adducted, causing the legs almost to cross as the patient walks (scissors gait)

Answer 11

Spastic paraplegic/ paraparetic gait

Question 12

This gait pattern is characterized by involuntary acceleration or hastening (festination). Other stigmata of this gait are diminished or absent arm swing, turning en bloc, hesitation in starting to walk, shuffling, or “freezing” briefly when encountering doorways or other obstacles

Answer 12

Parkinsonian gait

Question 13

This gait is characteristic of gluteal muscle weakness seen in progressive muscular dystrophy.

Answer 13

Waddling/ gluteal/ Trendelenburg gait

Question 14

Typically the initial & most prominent symptom of normal-pressure hydrocephalus

Answer 14

Progressive difficulty in walking