Abnormal Gait Patterns Flashcards
Antalgic
Protective gait pattern where stance time is decreased to avoid weight bearing on the involved side due to pain.
- Typically associated with rapid, shorter swing phase of the uninvolved limb
- Causes: disease (e.g., bone or joint), joint inflammation, injury to muscle, tendons, ligaments
Ataxic
Characterized by staggering and unsteadiness.
- Usually a wide BOS
- Usually exaggerated movements
Cerebellar
Staggering gait pattern seen in cerebellar disease
Circumduction
Circular motion to advance the leg during swing phase
-May be used to compensate for insufficient hip or knee flexion or dorsiflexion
Double Step
Alternate steps are of a different length or at a different rate
Equine
Characterized by high steps.
-Usually involves excessive activity of the gastrocnemius
Festinating
Walks on toes as though pushed.
-Starts slowly, increases, and may continue until the patient grasps an object in order to stop
Hemiplegic
Abduction of the paralyzed limb, swing it around, and bring it forward so the foot comes to the ground in front of them
Parkinsonian
Increased forward flexion of the trunk and knees, gait is shuffling with quick and small steps, festinating may occur
Scissor
Legs cross midline upon advancement
Spastic
Stiff movement, toes seeming to catch and drag, legs held together, and hip and knee joints slightly flexed.
-Commonly seen in spastic paraplegia
Steppage
Feet and toes are lifted through hip and knee flexion to excessive heights
- Usually secondary to dorsiflexor weakness
- Foot will slap at initial contact
Tabetic
High stepping ataxic pattern in which the feet slap the ground
Trendelenburg
Denotes gluteus medius weakness
-Excessive lateral trunk flexion and weight shifting over the stance leg
Vaulting
Swing leg advances by compensating through the combination of elevation of the pelvis and plantar flexion of the stance leg
