Common Gait Deviations

Question 1

Lateral trunk bending

Answer 1

Weak glute med (trandelenburg)

Or pain in hip

Question 2

Backward trunk lean

Difficulty ascending stairs and ramps

Answer 2

Weak gluteus max

Question 3

Forward trunk lean

Answer 3

Weak quads

Hip and knee flexion contractures

Question 4

Excessive hip flexion

Answer 4

Weak hip extensors

Right hip or knee flexors

Question 5

Limited hip extension

Answer 5

Tight or spastic hip flexors

Question 6

Limited hip flexion

Answer 6

Weak hip flexors or tight extensors

Question 7

Abnormal synergistic activity examples

Answer 7

Excessive hip adduction combined with hip and knee extension plantarflexion scissoring or adducted gait pattern

Question 8

Antalgic gait

Answer 8

Painful limb results in an uneven gait pattern shortened step on uninvolved limb

Question 9

Excessive knee flexion with difficulty going down stairs or ramp and forward trunk bending

Answer 9

Weak quads or knee flexion contracture

Question 10

Knee hyper extension

Answer 10

Weak quads, plantar flexion contracture, extensor spasticity

Question 11

Toe first

Answer 11

Weak dorsiflexors, spastic or tight plantarflexors
Shortened leg
Painful heel
Positive support reflex

Question 12

Foot slap

Answer 12

Weak dorsiflexors or hypotonia

Question 13

Foot flat

Answer 13

Weak dorsiflexors, limited ROM

Or babies do that

Question 14

Excessive dorsiflexion with uncontrolled forward motion of tibia

Answer 14

“Calcaneus gait”

Weak plantarflexors

Question 15

Excessive plantarflexion

Answer 15

“Equinus gait”

Spasticity or contracture of plantarflexors

Question 16

Supination

Answer 16

Spastic invertors
Spasticity
Pes valgus
Genu valgum

Question 17

Toes claw

Answer 17

Spastic toe flexors

Hyper active plantar grasp reflex

Question 18

Inadequate push off

Answer 18

Weak plantar flexors, decreased ROM

Painful forefoot

Question 19

Insufficient foreword pelvic rotation in swing

Answer 19

Weak abdominals

Weak flexor muscles

Question 20

Insufficient hip and knee flexion in swing

Answer 20

Week hip and knee flexors

inability to lift the leg and move forward

Question 21

Circumduction

Answer 21

Weak hip and knee flexors

Question 22

Hip hiking

Answer 22

Weak hip and knee flexors

Extensor spasticity

Question 23

Excessive hip or knee flexion in swing

Answer 23

“Steppage gait”
Weak dorsiflexors
Leg is too long

Question 24

Abnormal synergistic activities during swing

Answer 24

Excessive hip and knee flexion with abduction

Question 25

Insufficient knee flexion

Answer 25

Extensor spasticity, pain/ decreased ROM

Weak hamstrings

Question 26

Excessive knee flexion

Answer 26

Flexor spasticity

Flexor withdrawal reflex

Question 27

Foot drop during swing

Answer 27

Weak or delayed contraction of the dorsiflexors or spastic plantarflexors

Question 28

Varus or inverted foot

Answer 28

Spastic invertors (anterior tibialis)
Weak peroneals
Abnormal synergistic pattern

Question 29

Equinovarus

Answer 29

Spasticity of posterior tibialis and or gastroc soleus

Developmental abnormality

Question 30

Coxalgic gait

Answer 30

Avascular necrosis of the hip