Atypical Gait Patterns

Question 1

• either forefoot, foot flat, or foot slap at WA
• excessive plantarflexion during swing limb advancement
• compensatory strategy to clear swing limb

Answer 1

Tibialis anterior weakness

Question 2

SLS: excessive dorsiflexion with knee flexion and hip flexion
SLA: limited push off at preswing leads to limited knee flexion

Answer 2

Gastroc-soleus weakness

Question 3

WA: excessive plantarflexion (with flat foot contact), knee hyperextension, limited hip flexion
SLS: excessive plantarflexion, knee hyperextension, excessive hip flexion
SLA: excessive plantarflexion, compensatory strategy to clear longer swing limb

Answer 3

Gastroc-soleus contracture 15 degrees

Question 4

WA: forefoot contact, possibly knee flex at IC, excessive plantarflexion
SLS: heel off, excessive plantarflexion
SLA: excessive plantarflexion, compensatory strategy to clear swing limb

Answer 4

Gastroc-soleus contracture 30 degrees

Question 5

• Excessive plantarflexion throughout

- knee wobble at WA

Answer 5

Gastroc-soleus spasticity

Question 6

WA: knee hyperextension, potentially forefoot contact to support knee hyperextension, potentially limited hip flexion to ensure knee hyperextension
SLA: maybe excessive knee flexion at terminal swing if very weak

Answer 6

Quadriceps weakness

Question 7

WA: nothing
SLS: nothing
SLA: past retract or knee hyperextension

Answer 7

Hamstring weakness

Question 8

WA: excessive hip and knee flexion
SLS: excessive hip and knee flexion
SLA: terminal swing has excessive knee flexion and limited hip flexion

Answer 8

Hamstring contracture popliteal angle = 45 degrees

Question 9

WA: reduce shock absorption so limit knee flexion (limited hip flexion)
SLS: limited time in SLS – limited hip extension
SLA: limited knee flexion at preswing and initial swing, need compensatory strategy to clear swing limb

Answer 9

Knee pain

Question 10

WA: limited knee flexion at LR, knee wobble at LR
SLA: limited hip and knee flexion at preswing and initial swing, compensatory strategy to clear swing limb

Answer 10

quadriceps spasticity

Question 11

WA and SLS: excessive dorsiflexion, excessive knee flexion, excessive hip flexion
SLA: terminal swing has excessive knee flexion

Answer 11

Hamstring spasticity

Question 12

SLA: limited hip and knee flexion at preswing and initial swing. To compensate - use abdominals to contract and pull thigh forward. Results in forward trunk lean followed by backward trunk lean with past retract

Answer 12

Iliopsoas and adductor longus weakness – compensating with trunk lean

Question 13

SLA: limited hip and knee flexion, external hip rotation

Answer 13

Iliopsoas weakness compensating with adductor longus

Question 14

WA: slightly forward trunk lean
SLS: more forward trunk lean
SLA: upright trunk - opposite limb is on the ground

Answer 14

Gluteus Maximus weakness with forward trunk lean

Question 15

WA: limited hip flexion, backward trunk lean
SLS: backward trunk lean
SLA: backward trunk lean

Answer 15

Gluteus Maximus weakness compensating with backward trunk lean

Question 16

WA: contralateral pelvic drop starts at WA
SLS: more contralateral pelvic drop

Answer 16

Gluteus medius weakness with pelvic drop

Question 17

WA: lateral trunk lean toward the weak side
SLS: lateral trunk lean toward weak side

Answer 17

Gluteus medius weakness compensating with lateral trunk lean