Common Gait Deviations

Question 1

Abnormal Synergistic Activity (Swing Phase)

Answer 1

• Excessive Hip/Knee Flexion
• Abduction

Question 2

Knee Hyperextension

Answer 2

• Weak Quadriceps
• Plantar Flexion Contracture
• Extensor Spasticity
  
  • Quadriceps and/or Plantar Flexion

Question 3

Excessive Dorsiflexion

Answer 3

• Weak Plantarflexors

Question 4

Excessive Knee Flexion (Swing Phase)

Answer 4

• Flexor Spasticity
• Flexor Withdrawal Reflex

Question 5

Circumduction

Answer 5

• Weak Hip/Knee Flexors

Question 6

Lateral Trunk Bending

Answer 6

• Weak Gluteus Medius
  
  • Will bend to the same side of weakness
• Pain in the hip

Question 7

Foot Drop (Equinus)

Answer 7

• Weak/Delayed Dorsiflexors
• Spastic Plantarflexors

Question 8

Insufficient Hip/Knee Flexion (Swing Phase)

Answer 8

• Weak Hip/Knee Flexors

Question 9

Equinovarus

Answer 9

• Spasticity of Posterior Tibialis/Gastrosoleus Complex

Question 10

Toe First

Answer 10

• Weak Dorsiflexors
• Spastic/Tight Plantarflexors
• Shortened Leg
• Painful Feel
• Positive Support Reflex

Question 11

Excessive Hip Flexion

Answer 11

• Weak Hip Extensors
• Tight Hip/Knee Flexors

Question 12

Supination (Stance Phase)

Answer 12

• Spastic Invertors
• Weak Evertors
• Pes Varus
• Genu Varum

Question 13

Backward Trunk Lean

Answer 13

• Weak Gluteus Maximus
  
  • Difficult going up stairs/ramps

Question 14

Insufficient Forward Pelvic Rotation

Answer 14

• Weak Abdominals
• Weak Flexor Muscles

Question 15

Inadequate Push-Off

Answer 15

• Weak Plantarflexors
• Decreased ROM
• Pain in Forefoot

Question 16

Limited Hip Extension

Answer 16

• Tight/Spastic Hip Flexor

Question 17

Varus/Inverted Foot (Swing Phase)

Answer 17

• Spastic Invertors (Tibialis Anterior)
• Weak Peroneals
• Abnormal Synergistic Pattern

Question 18

Abnormal Synergistic Activity

Answer 18

• Excessive Hip Adduction w/ Combined:
  
  • Hip/Knee Extension
  • Plantarflexion
  • Scissoring or Adducted Gait Pattern

Question 19

Forward Trunk Lean

Answer 19

• Weak Quadriceps
  
  • Decrease flexor movement at the knee
• Hip/Knee Flexion Contracture

Question 20

Excessive Knee Flexion

Answer 20

• Weak Quadriceps (Knee Wobbles or Buckles)
  
  • Forward Trunk Bending Can Compensate
• Knee Flexor Contracture
• Difficulty Going Down Stairs/Ramps

Question 21

Pronation (Stance Phase)

Answer 21

• Weak Invertors
• Spasticity
• Pes Valgus
• Genu Valgum

Question 22

Insufficient Knee Flexion (Swing Phase)

Answer 22

• Extensor Spasticity
• Pain
• Decreased ROM
• Weak Hamstrings

Question 23

Foot Slap

Answer 23

• Weak Dorsiflexors
• Hypotonia
• Compensated with Steppage Gait

Question 24

Foot Flat

Answer 24

• Weak Dorsiflexors
• Limited ROM
• Immature Gait Pattern

Question 25

Excessive Plantarflexion (Equinus Gait)

Answer 25

• Spasticity/Contracture of Plantarflexors

Question 26

Excessive Hip/Knee Flexion (Steppage Gate)

Answer 26

• Weak Dorsiflexors
  
  • Diabetic Neuropathy of Fibular Nerve

Question 27

Hip Hiking

Answer 27

• Weak Hip/Knee Flexors
• Extensor Spasticity

Question 28

Limited Hip Flexion

Answer 28

• Weak Hip Flexors
• Tight Extensors