Gait Analysis

Question 1

what is force measurement?

Answer 1

kinetic measurement

studies forces acting on the body (internal and external)

Question 2

what are EMG studies used for?

Answer 2

study electrical activity during muscle contraction

Question 3

what are limitations of EMGs?

Answer 3

problems with cross-over or cross-talk which makes it difficult to determine which muscle is contracting

Question 4

what is intramuscular pressure?

Answer 4

determines pressure within the muscle

accounts for both active and passive muscle tension

Question 5

what does the clinician need to know about gait problems?

Answer 5

1. is it structural?
2. is it joint or soft tissue related?
3. is it myopathic (muscular dystrophy)
4. is it neurologic? (progressive or non)

Question 6

what is a gait cycle?

Answer 6

activity that occurs between the heel strike of one leg all the way to the heel strike of the same leg

Question 7

what is the stride length?

Answer 7

distance of the step in one gait cycle

Question 8

what is the stance phase?

Answer 8

60% of the time during the gait

when the foot is in contact with the ground

Question 9

what is the swing phase?

Answer 9

40% of the time during the gait

feet are swinging

Question 10

what is the rest of the 20%?

Answer 10

when both feet are in contact with the ground

double support

Question 11

what is a step?

Answer 11

heel strike of left foot to heel strike of right foot

Question 12

what is a stride?

Answer 12

heel strike of right foot to heel strike of right foot

Question 13

what are 5 components of stance phase analysis?

Answer 13

1. heel strike
2. foot flat
3. midstance
4. heel-off
5. toe-off

Question 14

what can cause a wider horizontal displacement?

Answer 14

balance problems to keep themselves from falling

Question 15

what is a trendelenburg gate?

Answer 15

pelvic drop on one or both side
caused by gluteus medius weakness
ruptured disc?
side that drops is on the opposite side of weakness

Question 16

what are the 5 main reasons for abnormal gait?

Answer 16

muscular weakness
joint/muscle ROM limitations
neurological problem
pain
leg length discrepancy

Question 17

what is a sign of leg length discrepancy?

Answer 17

circumduction on the long side

Question 18

how does gluteus maximus weakness manifest?

Answer 18

rocking horse gait

hand on affected hip to push the hip forward so they don’t fall

Question 19

how does quads weakness manifest?

Answer 19

either pushing knee to lock or cocking knee to lock

Question 20

how does hamstring weakness manifest?

Answer 20

genu recurvatum gait

hyperextension of the knee with each step

Question 21

how does dorsiflexion weakness manifest?

Answer 21

foot slap gait

high steppage gait

Question 22

how does triceps surae weakness manifest?

Answer 22

sore foot limp
shortened step length on the unaffected side
more pronounced when going up an ingline

Question 23

what is a waddling gait?

Answer 23

seen in muscular dystrophy
a/w lumbar lordosis and a steppage gait
to swing the leg forward, the entire side of the body must swing forward

Question 24

what is a hemiplegic gait?

Answer 24

lands flat-footed and no arm swing on affected side

Question 25

what is ataxic gait?

Answer 25

balance disruption usu. cerebellar involvement uncoordinated/jerky

Question 26

what is the festinating gait of parkinsonism?

Answer 26

difficulty initiating, as it gets started, goes faster and faster

Question 27

what is a crouch gait?

Answer 27

bilateral lower extermity involvement excessive lordosis, anterior pelvic tilt, hip and knee flexion exaggerated arm swing

Question 28

what is an antalgic gait?

Answer 28

spend less time on the painful foot | shortened step length on uninvolved side

Question 29

what is the gait compensation for a leg length discrepancy of up to 3"?

Answer 29

dropping pelvis on affected side (stresses low back)

Question 30

what is the gait compensation for a leg length discrepancy of up to 3-5"?

Answer 30

equinnus gait, walks on ball of foot on shorter side

Question 31

what is the gait compensation for a leg length discrepancy of up to 5"?

Answer 31

drop pelvis, equinnus gait AND flex uninvolved knee

Question 32

what is a 4 point gait pattern?

Answer 32

at any time there are 4 points of contact on the ground

Question 33

what is a 3-1 point gait pattern?

Answer 33

crutch stays with the affect leg and both crutches are used, which makes it partial weight bearing

Question 34

what is a 3 point gait pattern?

Answer 34

non-weight bearing, two crutches swing through,

Question 35

what is 2 point gait pattern?

Answer 35

using crutches as support, but walking normally. crutches used to balance and take some of the weight off

Question 36

what is TTWB?

Answer 36

toe-touch weight bearing (can only do with crutches or walker)

Question 37

what is WBAT?

Answer 37

weight bearing as tolerated

Question 38

what is PWB?

Answer 38

partial weight bearing (25, 50, 75%)

Question 39

what is FWB?

Answer 39

full weight bearing

Question 40

why use a tilt table?

Answer 40

good for gradually accomodating to elevation for pts who have been lying supine for a long time -must monitor for vital signs

Question 41

when would you use parallel bars?

Answer 41

maximum support needed

Question 42

how do you measure for crutches?

Answer 42

3 fingers below axilla

Question 43

what position should the crutches be in?

Answer 43

tripod position

Question 44

what should you advice patients about using crutches?

Answer 44

don't lean down on them

Question 45

what is a platform attachment?

Answer 45

used when they have had a hand or arm injury (flexed elbow), a platform is used to fasten crutch to their arm in a way that allows them to use it

Question 46

when would you use a cane?

Answer 46

pt who needs a little bit of balance help | should be fit to the base of the thumb

Question 47

what should you remember about transferring?

Answer 47

always transfer toward the strong side

Question 48

what is important to ask the pt when transferring?

Answer 48

what help do they need?

Question 49

where should you stand on steps to support patients?

Answer 49

on the low side

Question 50

if you are good you go up...

Answer 50

if you are bad, you go down