Abnormal Gait Patterns And Deviations

Question 1

What is an antalgic gait pattern?

Answer 1

Protective gait pattern where the involved step length is DECREASED in order to avoid WB on the involved side usually secondary to pain

Question 2

What is an Ataxic gait pattern?

Answer 2

Characterized by staggering and unsteadiness. Usually WIDE BOS and movements are exaggerated.

*common pattern with cerebellum injuries

Question 3

What is a cerebellar gait pattern?

Answer 3

Pattern seen in cerebellar disease

Question 4

Describe a gait pattern that involves circumduction?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

Describe double step pattern

Answer 5

Alternate steps are of a different length or at a different rate

Question 6

Describe an Equine (high steppage) gait pattern

Answer 6

Characterized by high steps usually involves excessive activity of the Gastrocnemius

Question 7

What is a estimating gait pattern?

Answer 7

Patient walks on toes as though pushed.

Starts slowly, increases, and may continue until the patient grasps an object in order to stop

Question 8

Describe a hemiplegic gait pattern.

Answer 8

Patient abducts the paralyzed limb, swing it around, and bring it forward so the foot comes to the ground in front of them

Question 9

What is a parkinsonian gait pattern?

Answer 9

Marked by increased forward flexion of the trunk and knees

Gait is shuffling with quick and small steps; festinating may occur

Question 10

Describe a scissor gait pattern.

Answer 10

The legs cross midline upon advancement

Question 11

Describe a spastic gait pattern.

Answer 11

Stiff movement, toes seeming to catch and drag, legs held together, and hip/knee joints slightly flexed.

Commonly seen in spastic paraplegia

Question 12

Describe a Steppage gait pattern

Answer 12

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

Question 13

Describe a Tabetic gait pattern

Answer 13

High stepping ataxic gait pattern in which the feet slap the ground

Question 14

What is a trendelenburg gait pattern?

Answer 14

Denotes gluteus medius weakness; excessive lateral trunk flexion and weigh shifting over the stance leg

Question 15

Describe a vaulting gait pattern.

Answer 15

The swing leg advances by compensating through the combination of elevation of the pelvis and PF of the stance leg

Question 16

What are common gait deviations of the ankle and foot?

Answer 16

1. Foot Slap
2. Toe down instead of heel strike
3. Clawing of the toes
4. Heel lift during midstance
5. No toe off

Question 17

Why would foot slap occur during gait?

Answer 17

• weak DF

- DF paralysis

Question 18

Why would someone put their toes down instead of their heel first?

Answer 18

• PF spasticity
• PF contracture
• Weak DF
• DF paralysis
• Leg Length Discrepancy
• Hindfoot pain

Question 19

What would a therapist see clawing of toes during gait?

Answer 19

• toe flexor spasticity

- positive support reflex

Question 20

Why may the heel lift off the ground during midstance?

Answer 20

• insufficient DF range

- PF spasticity

Question 21

Why might a PT see no toe off during gait?

Answer 21

• Forefoot/toe pain
• weak PFs
• weak toe flexors
• Insufficient PF ROM

Question 22

What are some common gait deviations of the knee?

Answer 22

1. Exaggerated knee flexion at contact
2. Hyperextension in stance
3. Exaggerated knee flexion at terminal stance
4. Insufficient flexion with swing
5. Excessive flexion with swing

Question 23

Why might a PT see exaggerated knee flexion at contact?

Answer 23

• weak quads
• quad paralysis
• hamstring spasticity
• insufficient extension ROM

Question 24

Why might a PT see hyperextension in stance?

Answer 24

• compensation for weak quads

- PF contracture

Question 25

Why might a PT see exaggerated knee flexion at terminal stance?

Answer 25

• knee flexion contracture

- hip flexion contracture

Question 26

Why might a PT see insufficient flexion with swing?

Answer 26

• knee effusion
• Quad Extension spasticity
• PF spasticity
• Insufficient Flexion ROM

Question 27

Why might a PT see excessive flexion with swing?

Answer 27

1. Flexor withdrawal reflex

2. Lower Extremity flexor synergy

Question 28

What are some common gait deviations that may be seen at the hip?

Answer 28

1. weak hip flexors
2. Insufficient hip extension at stance
3. Circumduction during swing
4. Hip hiking during swing
5. Exaggerated hip flexion during swing

Question 29

Why may a therapist see insufficient hip flexion at initial contact?

Answer 29

• weak hip flexors
• hip flexor paralysis
• hip extensor spasticity
• insufficient hip flexion ORm

Question 30

Why might a Pt see insufficient hip extension at stance?

Answer 30

• insufficient extension ROM
• hip flexion contracture
• lower extremity flexor synergy

Question 31

Why might a PT see circumduction during swing?

Answer 31

• compensation for weak hip flexors
• compensation for weak DF’s
• compensation for weak hamstrings

Question 32

Why may a PT see hip hiking during swing?

Answer 32

• Compensation for weak DF’s
• Compensation for weak knee flexors
• compensation for extensors synergy pattern

Question 33

Why might a therapist see exaggerated hp flexion during swing?

Answer 33

• lower extremity flexor synergy

- compensation for insufficient ankle DF