Assessment of Gait

Question 1

Components of Stance phase of gait

Answer 1

1. Heel strike
2. foot flat
3. midstance
4. push off

Question 2

Components of the swing phase of gait

Answer 2

1. Acceleration
2. Midswing
3. Deceleration

Question 3

Common causes of problems during the stance phase

Answer 3

1. Antalgic gait - pt will favor the unaffected limb

2. Shoe problems

Question 4

What are causes of gait disorders (7 listed)

Answer 4

1. Peripheral neuropathies
2. Upper motor neuron lesion
3. Lower motor neuron lesion
4. Diseases affecting inner ear function
5. Cerebellar functions
6. Arthritis
7. Myelopathies

Question 5

How would an upper motor neuron lesion affect gait

Answer 5

Would cause increased muscle tone and DTR. EX: cerebral palsy

Question 6

How would a lower motor neuron lesion affect gait

Answer 6

Would cause decreased muscle tone and DTR.

Question 7

Abnormal gait signs

Answer 7

1. Posture not straight
2. Decreased or altered speed of ambulation
3. Disordered balance
4. Tripping, stumbling, falls

Question 8

Spastic hemiparesis

Answer 8

Muscles on one side of body are in constant state of contraction (seen in cerebral palsy), kind of a swinging gait

Question 9

Spastic diplegia

Answer 9

Muscles are in constant contraction, this is usually the lower legs. Feet are often turned inward (also seen in cerebral palsy)

Question 10

Steppage/drop foot

Answer 10

AKA dropfoot gait. Weak or non function dorsiflexors cause slapping down of foot during heel strike (high step)

Question 11

Ataxia

Answer 11

Drunken sailor, unsteady staggering gait. Worse with eyes closed or in dark. Usually due to loss of sensory info from feet or cerebellar disorders

Question 12

Dystonia

Answer 12

Abnormal muscle tone that results in muscular spasm (repetitive motions) and abnormal posture.

Question 13

Abductor lurch

Answer 13

AKA trendelenburg gait. Weakened gluteus medius causes pt to tilt pelvis toward univolved side because muscle on affected side is not strong enough to hold (looks like a shifting waddle)

Question 14

Adductor lurch

Answer 14

???

Question 15

Extensor lurch

Answer 15

AKA gluteus maximus gait. Weakened gluteus maximus forces pt to push thorax backwards to maintain hip extension and balance

Question 16

Flat foot

Answer 16

Pt with weak or non functioning dorsiflexors slap foot down. Also seen in pts with fused ankles

Question 17

Back knee

Answer 17

If quad muscle is weak, it may result in unstable knee, or pt may be able to push knee into extension with every step

Question 18

Antalgic

Answer 18

Painful gait (injury), pt places as little weight on affected limb as possible. The stance phase will be noticeably short or absent.

Question 19

Apraxic

Answer 19

Cant get movement started, organization of gait is impaired. Seen in parkinson.