Gait Flashcards
average step length
14-16 inches
28-32 inch stride length
average cadence
90-120 steps/minute
what sex has a higher cadence?
women by 6-9 steps/minute
where is most of the gait cycle spent?
in stance phase; foot in contact with ground and weight bearing; 60%
vs. swing: period where foot is not in contact with ground, non-weight bearing; 40%
what is considered the gait cycle?
heel strike of one foot to the heel strike of same foot.
most of swing phase is spent in what phase of swing?
terminal phase 35-45%
if the right leg is in heel strike what is the left foot doing?
terminal stance
if the right leg is in flat foot (or loading response) what is the left foot doing?
pre-swing
what is the left leg doing when the right foot is in mid stance?
mid swing
if right leg is in heel off what is left leg doing?
initial contact
what is the left foot doing during toe off?
loading response
what are the 5 requirements of gait?
stability in stance, foot clearance in swing, pre-position for initial contact, adequate step length, energy conservation
stability in stance single limb support for a total of what percentage of gait cycle?
80%: 40% for each foot
what does foot clearance in swing require?
ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion, hip flexion, retain stability in stance
what does the pre-position for initial contact consist of?
ready to absorb weight transfer, foot-ankle-knee in correct alignment, ready to place foot in desired location
what would happen if the step length is too short?
expends energy and minimal progress made
what would happen if the step length is too long?
lose balance, strain ligaments and muscles
what is the purpose of pelvis list?
conserves energy that would otherwise have to be used to lift entire mass of leg
what is pelvic list?
hip drops on weight bearing side about 2”
how does the innominate rotate as foot moves forward for heel strike?
anteriorly
what is the effect of this?
to “lengthen” femur
how many degrees is in it rotated forward?
4 degrees
how far does the pelvis shift laterally?
2”
what is the purpose of the lateral hip displacement?
facilitates abduction of hip during stance
what does an antalgic gait look like?
limp to avoid pain on wt-bearing structures; short stance phase on affected side
what are common causes of antalgic gait?
trauma, osteoarthritis, pelvic girdle pain, coxalgia, tarsal tunnel syndrome
arthrogenic gait look like?
stiffness in affected joint, plantar flexion of foot opposite side to increase clearance, affected leg is circumducted, step usually short
common causes arthrogenic?
osteoarthritis, post orthopedic surgeries
ataxic gait looks like?
broad base of support, unsteady, uncoordinated walk, loss of sensation or control, lurch or stagger, often watch feet when walking
common causes ataxic?
vestibular, cerebellar abscess/hemorrhage, Friedreich’s ataxia, pontine-cerebellar atrophy, chronic mercury posioning, posterior fossa tumor, Wernicke’s syndrome (chronic alcohol abuse), drugs
parkinsonian gait looks like?
small shuffling steps, hypokinesia (general slowness of movement) sometimes akensia= total loss of movement, speed and cadence rate increased
steppage gait presentation?
full foot drop, hip raised very high to clear toe, usually a quiet gait
what are some common causes of stoppage gait?
fibular n. injury as a result of: lumbar disc herniation (most common), poliomyelitis, multiple sclerosis, Guillan-Barre syndrome, Parkinson’s disease
hemiplegic gait presentation?
leg stiff, no flexion, rotated away from the body and then toward= semicircle
causes of hemiplegic gait?
strokes, spinal cord injuries
what is the main difference between arthogenic and hemiplegic gait?
arthogenic gait includes plantar flexion of foot opposite that affected
