8 Abnormal gait patterns

Question 1

Describe the Trendelenburg gait

Answer 1

If the gluteus Medius is weak, the pelvis will drop excessively on the swing leg side with each step, called The trunk will also lean toward

Question 2

Describe Circumduction gait

Answer 2

With limited range of motion, or with weakness of the muscles contributing to typical movements of the legs for ambulation, the trunk and pelvis often compensate by rotating anteriorly, circumducting (swinging) the leg out to the side of the body to propel it forward. Called circumduction gait , this compensatory pattern occurs in patients with general muscle weakness, hemiplegia, or osteoarthritis of the knee

Question 3

Describe foot drop

Answer 3

Weakness or paralysis of the ankle dorsiflexors can impair heel strike, with the toes coming into contact with the ground prior to the heel. This pattern is called equinus gait . During the swing phase, the toes often drag against the ground due to foot drop , formal term for the loss of ankle dorsiflexion, and it is common after a stroke or TBI.

Isolated weakness of the dorsiflexors can result from injury to the deep fibular nerve, with the strength of the hip and knee preserved. In this case, the hip compensates through excessive flexion to allow the foot to clear the ground, termed high-stepping or steppage gait .

Question 4

Describe Hemiplegic gait

Answer 4

A hemiplegic gait pattern involves paralysis or weak- ness of an entire side of the body resulting from a neurological pathology like a stroke, TBI, or cerebral palsy. This gait pattern may include circumduction of the leg with foot drop, but it also includes common positions of the upper and lower extremities. The hip is often internally rotated and adducted, with an unstable knee extended against the weight of gravity.

Question 5

Describe antalgic gait

Answer 5

Antalgic gait literally means ambulating against ( anti ), or to avoid, pain ( algos ). For example, suppose you experience an ankle sprain and limp for several days afterward due to the pain of weight-bearing through the affected leg. This pattern shortens the stance phase through the painful leg and shifts the weight onto the non injured opposite side.

Question 6

Define ataxic gait

Answer 6

Generally, due to neurological impairment of the cerebellum, the individual strives for a wider base of support with jerky, staggering movements in attempts to ambulate. The loss of global coordination and impaired proximal stability have a considerable effect on upper extremity function.

Question 7

Define scissor gait

Answer 7

Individuals with a scissor gait demonstrate a narrowing, or even crossing-over, of the legs as they walk ( 10.52 ). This is often due to abnormal muscle tone with tightness of the hip adductors and is associated with cerebral palsy or other neurological pathologies that cause muscle spasticity.

Question 8

Define Parkinsonian Gait

Answer 8

For individuals with Parkinson’s disease, gait is affected by impaired perception and modulation of motor movements. Parkinsonian gait includes shuffling the feet—small forward motions with limited elevation of the legs—with flexion of the trunk, placing the weight of the body on the balls of the feet ( 10.53 ). This gait pattern increases the risk of falls and injury.