Gait Flashcards
What is gait
……… mechanism by which the body is transported using coordinated movements of the major lower limb joints
…….. energy-efficient interaction of MSK and Neurological systems
What are the 5 attributes of normal gait
5 Attributes • Stability in Stance • Foot Clearance in Swing • Pre-positioning for Initial Contact • Adequate Step Length • Energy Conservation
What is the gait cycle
• Describes the period of time from initial contact to next initial contact on the same side
Describe the gait cycle in walking
60% stance 40% swing
Points of bobble support between them - see slide
Describe the gait cycle in running
Swing longer than stance, get 2 periods of double float
Describe the stance phase
- Initial Contact (Heel strike)
- Loading response
- Mid-stance (Foot flat)
- Terminal stance (Heel off)
- Pre-swing (Toe off)
Describe the swing phase
• Initial swing • Mid-swing • Terminal swing
Define stride
IC right -> IC left (one cycle)
Define step
Distance from IC right to IC left
Define cadence
No of steps per minute
What is kinematic
Describes motion: – joint angles – displacements – velocities – accelerations
What is kinetics
Describes the things that cause motion:
– forces – moments
Describe gait kinematics of the hip knee and ankle
See slide for graphs
What do muscles provide force for and how
Muscles produce force to
– Provide stability
– Propel body segments
Muscles work
– Concentric (shortening) – acceleration / power generation
– Eccentric (lengthening) – deceleration / power absorption
– Isometric (same length) – stability
Describe ankle kinetics
Generation of force shifts to muscles in posterior part of lower leg -
anterior has a rest
calf muscles very important for pushing off
How is energy converted in walking
- Minimise excursion of Centre of Gravity
- Control momentum
- Transfer energy between body segments
- Phasic muscle action
Name some pathological gaits
• Antalgic / Limp • Trendelenburg / Waddling • Spastic – Hemiplegic – Diplegic • High steppage / Foot drop • Parkinsonian / Festinant • Ataxic / Cerebellar / Broad-based
What is antalgic gait
• ‘Limp’ • Painful leg • Short stance phase affected leg • Lack body weight shift to affected leg • Short swing phase unaffected leg • ‘Uneven’ Use Walking stick in Opposite hand
What is trendelenberg gait
• Hip Abductor weakness – Pain – Neurological damage – Trauma (surgical) • Pelvis drops on unaffected side in stance phase • Torso swings to affected side • Bilateral • ‘Waddling’ - swinging from side to side
What is hemiplegic gait
• Hemi-Brain injury – Stroke – Cerebral Palsy – Trauma • Flexed upper limb • Extended lower limb • Short step unaffected leg • Circumduction affected leg
What is diplegic gait
• Neuromuscular disorders – Cerebral Palsy • Scissoring • Tight Muscle groups – Psoas / Adductors / Hamstrings / Calf • Ankles plantar-flexed • Forefoot Initial Contact
What s high steppage gait
• Foot Drop – Sciatica – Common Peroneal n. Palsy – Neuromuscular disorders • Toes hanging down • Excessive hip flexion affected side • Foot slap
What is Parkinsonian gait
• Neurological disease – Parkinsons • Hard to initiate movement • Short step • Shuffling / ‘Festinant’ • Forward flexed • No arm swing
What is ataxic gait
• Cerebellar disorders – Inherited – Sensory – Intoxication • Broad based • ‘Reeling’ • Inco-ordinated • Arms balancing • ‘Drunk’
