Gait Assessment/Cycle

Question 1

Normal percent of stance phase?

Answer 1

60%

Question 2

Normal percent of swing phase?

Answer 2

40%

Question 3

Quads act ______ during initial contact to control ______?

Answer 3

eccentrically, knee flexion

Question 4

The ______ muscles are active from foot flat to midstance and control forward tibial motion.

Answer 4

triceps surae or gastroc’s and soleus

Question 5

Peak activity of the plantarflexors occurs ______?

Answer 5

Just after heel-off

Question 6

During which phase of gait does hip and knee extensors contribute to forward propulsion?

Answer 6

Pre-swing

Question 7

initial contact

Answer 7

Quadriceps active at heel strike through early stance to control small amount of knee flexion for shock absorption.
Pretibial group acts eccentrically to oppose plantarflexion moment and prevent foot slap.

Question 8

loading response

Answer 8

The gastrocnemius soleus muscles are active from foot flat through midstance to eccentrically control forward tibial advancement.

Question 9

mid stance

Answer 9

The hip, knee and ankle extensors are active throughout the stance phase to oppose antigravity forces and stabilize the limb.
Hip extensors control forward motion of the trunk.
Hip abductors stabilize the pelvis during unilateral stance.
Plantarflexors propel the body forward.

Question 10

terminal stance

Answer 10

Peak activity of the plantarflexors occurs just after heel-off, to push off and generate forward propulsion of the body.

Question 11

pre swing

Answer 11

Hip and knee extensors (hamstrings and quads) contribute to forward propulsion with a brief burst of activity.

Question 12

initial swing

Answer 12

Forward acceleration of the limb during early swing is achieved through the action of the quadriceps.
By midswing the quadriceps are silent and the pendular motion is in effect.
Hip flexors (iliopsoas) aid in forward limb propulsion.

Question 13

mid swing

Answer 13

Foot clearance is achieved by contraction of the hip and knee flexors and the ankle dorsiflexors.

Question 14

terminal swing

Answer 14

The hamstrings act during late swing to decelerate the limb in preparation for heel strike.
The quadriceps and ankle dorsiflexors become active in late swing to prepare for heel strike.

Question 15

results in glut med weakness, bending to the same side as weakness, happens in amputee pts.

Answer 15

lateral trunk bending

Question 16

pelvic drop on contralateral side of weak glut med, compensation of lateral trunk bending.

Answer 16

trendelenburg gait

Question 17

result of glut max weakness, difficulty with ascending stairs and ramps

Answer 17

backward trunk lean

Question 18

result of weak quads and can be associated with hip and knee flexion contractures

Answer 18

forward trunk lean

Question 19

result of weak hip extensors or tight hip and knee flexors

Answer 19

excessive hip flexion

Question 20

result of tight or spastic hip flexors

Answer 20

limited hip extension

Question 21

result of weak hip flexors or tight extensors

Answer 21

limited hip flexion

Question 22

antalgic gait

Answer 22

(painful gait), stance time is abbreviated on the painful limb, resulting in an uneven gait pattern(limping); the uninvolved limb has a shortened step length, since it must bear weight sooner than normal.

Question 23

result of weak quads or knee flexor contracture, pt has difficulty descending stairs or ramps

Answer 23

excessive knee flexion

Question 24

result of weak quads, plantarflexion contracture or extensor spasticity

Answer 24

hyperextension

Question 25

toes first

Answer 25

At initial contact, the toes touch the floor first.
Result of weak dorsiflexors, spastic or tight plantarflexors.
Toes first may also be due to a shorted LE ( leg length discrepancy), painful heel, or a positive support reflex.

Question 26

foot slap

Answer 26

The foot makes floor contact with an audible slap.
Result of weak dorsiflexors or hypotonia.
The slap is compensated for with a steppage gait.

Question 27

foot flat

Answer 27

The entire foot makes contact with the ground.

Result of weak dorsiflexors, limited range of motion, or immature gait pattern.

Question 28

excessive plantarflexion

Answer 28

Equinus gait.
The heel does not touch the ground.
The result of spasticity or contracture of the plantarflexors.
Eccentric contraction is poor, as in tibia advancement,

Question 29

varus foot

Answer 29

At foot contact, the lateral side of the foot touches first.
The foot may remain in varus throughout the stance phase.
The result of spastic toe flexors, possibly a plantar grasp reflex.

Question 30

claw toes

Answer 30

The result of spastic toe flexors, possibly a plantar grasp reflex.

Question 31

result of weak plantarflexors, decreased range of motion or pain in the forefoot

Answer 31

inadequate push off

Question 32

insufficient forward pelvic rotation

Answer 32

Pelvic retraction.
The result of weak abdominal muscles and/or weak hip flexor muscles.
Ex: in the patient with stroke.

Question 33

insufficient hip and knee flexion

Answer 33

The result of weak hip and knee flexors or strong extensor spasticity.
Resulting in an inability to lift the LE and move it forward.

Question 34

circumducted gait

Answer 34

The LE swings out to the side (abduction/external rotation followed by adduction/internal rotation).
Result of weak hip and knee flexors.

Question 35

hip hiking

Answer 35

(quadratus lumborum action).
A compensatory response for weak hip and knee flexors, or extensor spasticity.
Because of this they can develop a functional scoliosis .

Question 36

excessive hip and knee flexion

Answer 36

(steppage gait).
A compensatory response to a shortened contralateral lower limb.
Or result of same side dorsiflexor weakness ( resulting from neuritis of the peroneal nerve in patients with diabetes)

Question 37

abnormal synergistic activity or spasticity

Answer 37

Use of a strong flexor synergy pattern, excessive abduction with hip and knee flexion.
Use of a strong extension synergy pattern, excessive adduction with hip and knee extension and ankle plantarflexion (scissoring).
Ex: stroke pt

Question 38

Excessive Knee flexion

Answer 38

the result of flexor spasticity; flexor withdrawal reflex

Question 39

Insufficient knee flexion

Answer 39

the result of extensor spasticity, pain, decreased range of motion, or weak hamstrings

Question 40

normal step length

Answer 40

male: 79 cm
female: 66 cm

Question 41

normal stride length

Answer 41

male: 158 cm
female: 132 cm

Question 42

normal BOS

Answer 42

male: 8.1 cm
female: 7.1 cm

Question 43

normal toe out

Answer 43

male: 7 degrees
female: 6 degrees