Gait/Abnormal Gait Flashcards
Other events besides what happens in the lower extremities must also be considered when looking at gait
Determinants of Gait
If you were to hold a marker against the blackboard, you would see a line that is up and down in a wave like fashion
Normal amount is approximately 2 inches
Highest at midstance
Lowest at heel strike
Vertical Displacement
Normal amount of vertical displacemnt is approximately 2 inches
It is Highest at ?
midstance
Normal amount of vertical displacemnt is approximately 2 inches
It is Lowest at ?
heel strike
- There is an equal amount of this displacement
- The center of gravity moves as the body weight shifts from side to side
- it is greatest during the single support phase at midstance
- The body must shift horizontally onto one foot so that the other foot can swing forward
- Usually about 2 inches
Horizontal Displacement
- When you walk, you do not walk in a tandem gait pattern, one step directly in front of the other
- If lines were drawn through the successive midpoints of heel contact on each foot, the distance would range from 2-4 inches
Width of Walking Base
- Step length should be equal in both distance and time
- The arms should swing with the opposite leg
- The trunk rotates forward as the leg progresses through the swing phase
- Arms swing in opposition to the trunk rotation helps to control the amount of trunk rotation by providing counter-rotation
Normal Gait
- Not all gait patterns that aren’t normal are a result of pathology
- The walking patterns of young children and elderly adults have characteristics different than that of normal adults
Age Related Gait Patterns
Differences in younger children tend to disappear as they get older
what are the differences?
- wide BOS
- fast cadence
- short stride lengths
- flat footed
- no arm swing
- short and choppy steps
for the elderly Generally, the fear of falling is a major contributor to changes in walking patterns as well as decreased muscle mass, less active lifestyle.
What are some characteristics
- Slow cadence
- More time in stance phase
- Longer periods of double support
- Shorter steps, decreasing vertical displacement
- Fewer, slower automatic movements
- Greater horizontal displacement as they have a wider BOS
Causes for Abnormal Gait
- Muscular Weakness
- Joint muscle ROM limitations/contractures
- Neurological Involvement
- Pain
- Leg Length Discrepancy
- Can range from slight weakness to complete paralysis
- The body tends to compensate by shifting the COG over/towards the part that is limited, reducing the torque (reduces moment arm) on the joint
- Lessens the muscle strength required
- The portion of the gait cycle limited will depend on which joint is affected
Muscular Weakness
- Trunk shifts posteriorly at heel strike
- Shifting the body’s COG posteriorly over GM, moving the line of force posterior to the hips
- With the foot in contact with the floor, this requires less muscle strength to maintain the hip in extension during stance phase
- Rocking Horse Gait
Gluteus Maximus Gait
- The individual shifts the trunk over the affected side during stance phase
- As the R side is weak:
- The left side of the pelvis will drop when the left leg leaves the ground and begins swing phase
- the body leans over the right (affected) leg during stance phase of the right leg
Gluteus Medius Gait
- Referred to as the Trendelenburg Gait
- Not to be confused with the normal amount of dipping of the pelvis
- The trunk shifting is a result of an attempt to reduce the amount of strength needed to stabilize the pelvis
Gluteus Medius Gait
Several different compensatory movements can be used
- Leaning the body forward over the quads as the weight is shifted onto the stance leg
- By leaning forward at the hip, the COG is shifted forward and the line of force now falls in front of the knee forcing the knee into hyperextension
- Using the hip extensors and ankle plantarflexors to pull the knee into extension at heel strike
- A person may also push on the anterior thigh during stance phase, physically holding the knee in extension
Quadriceps Weakness
2 Possibilities
In stance phase, the knee will go into excessive hyperextension
-Called genu recurvatum gait
Without the these eccentrically contracting to slow the swing during swing phase of gait, the knee snaps into extension
Hamstring Weakness
Sufficient strength in the ______ ________ will hold the foot in neutral at the end of swing phase and initial contact. It will also result in a slow, controlled eccentric lowering of the forefoot during loading response.
Ankle Dorsiflexors