Gait Flashcards
What is an apraxic gait and when would it be seen?
Marche a petit pas (small shuffling, broad based)
Frontal lobe damage
What is a waddling gait and when would it be seen?
Bends pelvis forward and walks with a waddle (muscle/ hip disease)
What is a crossing over/ scissoring gait and when would it be seen?
Both feet turned in, walking stiffly on toe, caused by bilateral spasticity (cerebral palsy/ MS)
What is a parkinsonian gait?
Small paces, slow and shuffling. Stooped posture, reduced arm swinging (Basal ganglia dysfunction)
What is a hemiplegic gait and when would it be seen?
Flexed upper limb and extended lower limb on affected side, patient has to slightly circumduct the foot. Unilateral upper motor neuron lesion (MS/ stroke)
What is an ataxic (cerebellar) gait?
Broad based with swaying from side to side (drunk)
What is a high stepping/ footdrop gait and when would it be seen?
Patient over flexes hip, lifts knee high and slaps foot down on walking. Possible peripheral neuropathy or peroneal nerve lesion
What is Romberg’s test?
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
What should you observe for when assessing gait?
Pace size
Foot separation (wide/ narrow/ crossing over)
Coordination of legs
Posture and arm swing
Knee alignment (does one life higher than the other?)
What steps should you take when assessing a patients gait?
Ask subject to walk in line
Ask if in pain
If gait normal ask to walk heel to toe
Perform Romberg test