Abnormal Gait Observations & Interventions Flashcards
What are the 3 basic approaches used in observing/evaluating gait?
- subdivide cycle according to reciprocal floor contact
- identify the functional phases
- use time and distance qualities of stride
Name some reasons why someone might have pathological gait:
- pain
- ROM limitation
- muscular weakness/paralysis
- neurological involvement
- leg length discrepancy
What is the term for pathological gait due to pain?
antalgic gait
What is the term for pathological gait due to cerebellar dysfunction?
ataxic gait
What is the term for pathological gait due to loss of kinesthetic sensation?
stomping gait
Muscular paralysis resulting in pathologic gait can result in what 2 problems?
spastic & flaccid
Spastic gait due to muscular paralysis results in what gait deviations?
circumduction gait, scissoring gait, paralytic gait
Flaccid gait due to muscular paralysis results in what gait deviations?
lurching gait, waddling gait, foot drop
Toe walking gait is known as:
equinus gait
Club foot gait is a developmental condition and also known as:
equinovarus gait
Calcaneal gait results in the absence of ____, which are for propulsion and energy concervation
rockers
Forefoot contact causes a decrease in ______ & _____. This can be due to what 4 reasons?
heel rocker, shock absorption;
pretibial weakness, PF contracture, heel pain, short leg
Flat foot contact causes a decrease in ______ & ______. This can be due to what 2 reasons?
heel rocker, decreased forward progression;
weak quads, any impairment causing excess knee flexion
Foot slap is uncontrollable PF at the ankle following ___, usually audible slap. This creates a decrease in ____, ____, _____. This is due to what?
IC; heel rocker, forward progression, shock absorption;
anterior tib weakness
Excess plantar flexion causes a decrease ____ in stance, decreased _____ in swing. This is due to what 3 reasons?
rockers, foot clearance;
PF contracture, pretibial weakness, ankle pain
What is excess inversion due to?
over-activity of inverting muscles,
equinovarus contraction,
skeletal deformity
What is excess eversion is due to?
during SLS it unlocks the midfoot & causes decreased heel off & forward progression
What 3 phases of gait are affected by decreased knee flexion?
LR, PSw, Isw
What does decreased knee flexion result in during LR?
decreased shock absorption, less demand on quads
What does decreased knee flexion result in during Psw and Isw?
decreased foot clearance
What is the result of decreased knee flexion (not observable results)?
quad weakness, quad/PF spasticity, knee pain, decreased proprioception
What are the observable gait deviations due to decreased knee flexion?
vaulting, pelvic hiking, circumduction
What is the functional significance of knee hyperextension (recurvatum)?
LR, Mst, Tst, reduces demand of quads & results in decreased forward progression
What does knee hyperextension cause?
quad weak (LR), quad & PF weak (SLS), severe plantar flexion contracture
What is the functional significance of extensor thrust?
decreased shock absorption, decreased forward progression
What results from extensor thrust?
PF weak, knee flex contracture, HS contracture, knee pain
What 4 phases of gait are affected by excessive knee flexion?
LR, Mst, Tst, Tsw
What is the functional significance of excess knee flexion>
increase demands of quads
What results in excess knee flexion?
PF weakness, knee flexion contracture, HS contracture, knee pain
What is the functional significance of excess hip flexion?
causes more demand on hip extension & quads in stance
What results in excess hip flexion?
hip flexion contracture, hip flexion spasticity, hip pain, patterned movement (synergy)
What 4 phases of gait are affected by limited hip flexion?
LR, Isw, Msw, Tsw
What is the functional significance of limited hip flexion?
decreased step length with swing
What results from limited hip flexion?
weak hip flexion, synergy, hip pain, foot drag
Pelvic hike occurs during what phase of gait?
swing
What is the functional significance of pelvic hike?
assists with foot clearance, causes increased energy expenditure
What results from pelvic hike?
limited knee flexion in Isw, limited hip flex, Msw, excess PF during Msw
What is the functional significance of pelvic drop?
increase length of opposite limb, decreased stance stability
What results from pelvic drop?
ipsilateral hip abduction weakness
What is the functional significance of trunk backward lean?
in stance adds hip stability, in swing aids with advancing thigh
What results from trunk backward lean?
compensate weak hip ext in stance, compensate weak hip flexion in swing
What is the functional significance of trunk forward lean?
in stance adds knee stability, increase energy, provides passive knee ext force by placing the body vector anterior to knee
What results from trunk forward lean?
quad weakness, hip extensor weakness, use of AD
