Abnormal Gait Patterns And Deviations Flashcards
What is an antalgic gait pattern?
Protective gait pattern where the involved step length is DECREASED in order to avoid WB on the involved side usually secondary to pain
What is an Ataxic gait pattern?
Characterized by staggering and unsteadiness. Usually WIDE BOS and movements are exaggerated.
*common pattern with cerebellum injuries
What is a cerebellar gait pattern?
Pattern seen in cerebellar disease
Describe a gait pattern that involves circumduction?
Characterized by a circular motion to advance the leg during swing phase
May be used to compensate for insufficient hip or knee flexion or DF
Describe double step pattern
Alternate steps are of a different length or at a different rate
Describe an Equine (high steppage) gait pattern
Characterized by high steps usually involves excessive activity of the Gastrocnemius
What is a estimating gait pattern?
Patient walks on toes as though pushed.
Starts slowly, increases, and may continue until the patient grasps an object in order to stop
Describe a hemiplegic gait pattern.
Patient abducts the paralyzed limb, swing it around, and bring it forward so the foot comes to the ground in front of them
What is a parkinsonian gait pattern?
Marked by increased forward flexion of the trunk and knees
Gait is shuffling with quick and small steps; festinating may occur
Describe a scissor gait pattern.
The legs cross midline upon advancement
Describe a spastic gait pattern.
Stiff movement, toes seeming to catch and drag, legs held together, and hip/knee joints slightly flexed.
Commonly seen in spastic paraplegia
Describe a Steppage gait pattern
The fee and toes are lifted though hip and knee flexion to excessive heights; usually secondary to DF weakness.
The foot will slap at Initial contact with the ground secondary to decreased control
Describe a Tabetic gait pattern
High stepping ataxic gait pattern in which the feet slap the ground
What is a trendelenburg gait pattern?
Denotes gluteus medius weakness; excessive lateral trunk flexion and weigh shifting over the stance leg
Describe a vaulting gait pattern.
The swing leg advances by compensating through the combination of elevation of the pelvis and PF of the stance leg
What are common gait deviations of the ankle and foot?
- Foot Slap
- Toe down instead of heel strike
- Clawing of the toes
- Heel lift during midstance
- No toe off
Why would foot slap occur during gait?
- weak DF
- DF paralysis
Why would someone put their toes down instead of their heel first?
- PF spasticity
- PF contracture
- Weak DF
- DF paralysis
- Leg Length Discrepancy
- Hindfoot pain
What would a therapist see clawing of toes during gait?
- toe flexor spasticity
- positive support reflex
Why may the heel lift off the ground during midstance?
- insufficient DF range
- PF spasticity
Why might a PT see no toe off during gait?
- Forefoot/toe pain
- weak PFs
- weak toe flexors
- Insufficient PF ROM
What are some common gait deviations of the knee?
- Exaggerated knee flexion at contact
- Hyperextension in stance
- Exaggerated knee flexion at terminal stance
- Insufficient flexion with swing
- Excessive flexion with swing
Why might a PT see exaggerated knee flexion at contact?
- weak quads
- quad paralysis
- hamstring spasticity
- insufficient extension ROM
Why might a PT see hyperextension in stance?
- compensation for weak quads
- PF contracture
Why might a PT see exaggerated knee flexion at terminal stance?
- knee flexion contracture
- hip flexion contracture
Why might a PT see insufficient flexion with swing?
- knee effusion
- Quad Extension spasticity
- PF spasticity
- Insufficient Flexion ROM
Why might a PT see excessive flexion with swing?
- Flexor withdrawal reflex
2. Lower Extremity flexor synergy
What are some common gait deviations that may be seen at the hip?
- weak hip flexors
- Insufficient hip extension at stance
- Circumduction during swing
- Hip hiking during swing
- Exaggerated hip flexion during swing
Why may a therapist see insufficient hip flexion at initial contact?
- weak hip flexors
- hip flexor paralysis
- hip extensor spasticity
- insufficient hip flexion ORm
Why might a Pt see insufficient hip extension at stance?
- insufficient extension ROM
- hip flexion contracture
- lower extremity flexor synergy
Why might a PT see circumduction during swing?
- compensation for weak hip flexors
- compensation for weak DF’s
- compensation for weak hamstrings
Why may a PT see hip hiking during swing?
- Compensation for weak DF’s
- Compensation for weak knee flexors
- compensation for extensors synergy pattern
Why might a therapist see exaggerated hp flexion during swing?
- lower extremity flexor synergy
- compensation for insufficient ankle DF
