Gait

Question 1

Normal Gait Goal and Challenges

Answer 1

Goal: to move the body weight forward with little effort/energy and doing so pain free.
Challenge: must be able to absorb the force/weight of body or transfer body weight in an efficient manner (force to forward movement)

Question 2

what are the two phases of a walking gait?

Answer 2

Stance Phase and Swing Phase.

They alternate, one after another in order to walk

Question 3

Stance Phase Summary (3)

Answer 3

Heel Strike: establish stable contact
Loading Response: absorb ground reaction to weight
Mid-stance to pre-swing: body weight carried forward

Question 4

Swing Phase Summary

Answer 4

goal is to clear foot, advance lower extremity and prepare for loading of extremity

Question 5

Common Etiologies of Gait Abnormalities/Pathologies with signs.

Answer 5

Neurologic: muscle become spastic or flaccid
Musculoskeletal: pain or weakness

Question 6

Describe and identify the etiology of Ataxic Gait:

Answer 6

• effects both legs/bilateral
• wide base, irregular steps
• lack of balance/proprioception
• due to alcohol intoxication or damage to balance centers of brain/spinal cord

NEUROLOGICAL ETIOLOGY

Question 7

Describe and identify the etiology of Hemiparesis:

Answer 7

• loss of function
• effects one leg/unilateral
• will drag extended leg with a circumduction motion
• arm is flexed and help close to trunk
• due to damage to motor control of the brain (common with strokes)

NEUROLOGICAL ETIOLOGY

Question 8

Describe and identify the etiology of Scissor Gait:

Answer 8

• bilateral effect on legs
• leg muscles stiff due to spasm with knees pointing inward
• legs and foot commonly cross midline
• due to damage at motor part of spinal cord

NEUROLOGICAL ETIOLOGY

Question 9

Describe and identify the etiology of Steppage Gait/ Foot Drop:

Answer 9

• unilateral
• “hiking” of hip and knee to raise leg higher and clear during swinging phase
• due to weakness in a specific nerve causing inability to raise foot

NEUROLOGICAL ETIOLOGY

Question 10

Describe and identify the etiology of Parkinsonian Gait:

Answer 10

• bilateral
• stiff and stooped over with tremors
• short shuffling gait that speeds up involuntarily (fenstrating)
• due to damage muscle tone/movement initiation center of brain

NEUROLOGICAL ETIOLOGY

Question 11

Describe and identify the etiology of Waddling/Trendelenbrug Gait:

Answer 11

• bilateral
• duck waddle, trunk shifts toward stance leg, hip drops on swinging leg
• due to trunk and leg muscular weakness/pathology

MUSCULOSKELETAL ETIOLOGY

Question 12

Describe and identify the etiology of Antalgic Gait:

Answer 12

• unilateral
• shorten gait prevent placing weight on injury leg/joint
• decrease stance phase on effected limb
• due to pain in lower extremity
• concern for trauma, joint damage or joint inflammation

MUSCULOSKELETAL ETIOLOGY