Gait Analysis Flashcards
Gait Analysis
Form of posture assessment while performing a gait (ie. walking, running, etc.).
Can give a lot of information about body mechanics, injuries, compensation movements, balance or vestibular issues, muscle weaknesses, and joint problems.
Many types of gait exists for certain conditions…
-shuffling or propulsive gait = parkinson’s disease
-shuffling or sticky feet = dementia
-spastic gait = cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis
Gait Cycle
Want to take in both sides individually and then combine together.
Side and front view most helpful.
Main Muscle Groups at Work (Big 5)
Big 3 (where you’ll see the most problems)
-ankle plantar flexors (gastrocnemius and soleus)
-hip flexors (rectus femoris/iliopsoas; lifting leg/foot off the ground; do lots of marching to strengthen especially in older populations).
-hip extensors (glutes, hamstrings; pushing forwards during toe off).
Core
Ankle dorsiflexors
Gait Analysis Tools
10+ meter walk way
-can use a stopwatch to determine gait speed and stride length
Treadmill
-can change a person’s gait so not ideal, but still works.
-put include up by about 1% and that will even out the person’s gait (mimic walking on ground more).
-helpful and easier to watch over multiple gait cycles
-can see them running easier
-video is good for running because you can slow it down later on
-Can only see side and back view (front is blocked)
Video Apps/Software
-can be helpful to look at later
-most software/apps can break down joint angles and biomechanics
-get client consent
-don’t need fancy software or apps (just video and assess/compare later on).
Gait Analysis Procedure
Have client wear as little clothes as they are comfortable with in order to see body movements most clearly.
-shorts, t-shirt, sports bra, etc.
-barefoot is ideal (if running, assess with and without shoes to see differences).
Have client walk at a normal pace down the 10+ m walkway
-if using treadmill, ensure client is comfortable walking on it without holding onto hand rails before moving to assess their gait (will be more accurate).
-if a client uses an ambulation aid, let them use it and note this in your chart (if possible assess with and without aid).
Assess gait from front, side, and back views.
If using a video capture or gait analysis software/app, ensure client’s consent is given before recording.
Common things to look for…
Trendelenburg gait
Drop foot
Center of gravity changes
Excessive pronation of foot
Lack of hip flexion
Hip lateral swing
Short stride or forward leg swing
Limping movements
Limited toe off power/imbalance on single leg stance.
Imbalanced arm swing
Other common gait abnormalities
Trendelenburg gait
One hip drops down (lifted leg) and other pops out/up (standing leg).
Weak hip stabilizers such as glute med.
Can also assess with single leg balance.
Drop Foot
Not lifting toes off ground enough (will hear scuffing).
Weak ankle dorsiflexion or limited ankle mobility in dorsiflexion.
Center of Gravity Changes
Common with older adults or those with poor balance.
Stooped forward posture.
Also will see shortened stride length.
Excessive Pronation of Foot
Arch collapse can be from weak intrinsic foot muscles, pain in front leg or leg area, or weak core.
Lack of hip flexion
Knee doesn’t life high enough.
From weak hip flexors or glute max.
Common reason for trips/falls with older adults.
Will see more of swinging out to the side to allow for their foot to clear the ground.
Hip Lateral Swing
Common compensation tactic for weak hip flexors, especially when stepping over objects
Short Stride or Forward Leg Swing
Not getting extended stride length.
Weak hip flexors and rectus femoris.
Also could be due to poor balance.
Limping movements
Try to figure out why and what muscles/joints are at play.
If it is not due to pain or issue, and more because of habit, then want to try to get them to focus on each phase of the movement to be perfect to fix the limp.
Limited toe off power/imbalance on single leg stance
Weak plantar flexors
Imbalanced arm swing
Possible due to weak core or back injury
Other common gait abnormalities
Shuffle gait = imbalance of single leg stance/strength
Freezing gait = parkinson’s, stroke, dementia
-literally frozen and can’t move
-normally a trigger for it such as a change in the ground surface/walking through doorways
Other assessments to help with gait analysis include…
Single leg stance
-eye open and closed
Lower limb strength and mobility
Ability to step over objects or up and down stairs.
Ability to walk on uneven surfaces
