Gait

Question 1

What is an apraxic gait and when would it be seen?

Answer 1

Marche a petit pas (small shuffling, broad based)

Frontal lobe damage

Question 2

What is a waddling gait and when would it be seen?

Answer 2

Bends pelvis forward and walks with a waddle (muscle/ hip disease)

Question 3

What is a crossing over/ scissoring gait and when would it be seen?

Answer 3

Both feet turned in, walking stiffly on toe, caused by bilateral spasticity (cerebral palsy/ MS)

Question 4

What is a parkinsonian gait?

Answer 4

Small paces, slow and shuffling. Stooped posture, reduced arm swinging (Basal ganglia dysfunction)

Question 5

What is a hemiplegic gait and when would it be seen?

Answer 5

Flexed upper limb and extended lower limb on affected side, patient has to slightly circumduct the foot. Unilateral upper motor neuron lesion (MS/ stroke)

Question 6

What is an ataxic (cerebellar) gait?

Answer 6

Broad based with swaying from side to side (drunk)

Question 7

What is a high stepping/ footdrop gait and when would it be seen?

Answer 7

Patient over flexes hip, lifts knee high and slaps foot down on walking. Possible peripheral neuropathy or peroneal nerve lesion

Question 8

What is Romberg’s test?

Answer 8

Ask P to stand still, feet together, first with eyes open then closed.
Closed: +ve (falling) indications defect in proprioception
Open: +ve (falling) indicates cerebellar lesion

Question 9

What should you observe for when assessing gait?

Answer 9

Pace size
Foot separation (wide/ narrow/ crossing over)
Coordination of legs
Posture and arm swing
Knee alignment (does one life higher than the other?)

Question 10

What steps should you take when assessing a patients gait?

Answer 10

Ask subject to walk in line
Ask if in pain
If gait normal ask to walk heel to toe
Perform Romberg test