Gait Assessment/Cycle Flashcards
Normal percent of stance phase?
60%
Normal percent of swing phase?
40%
Quads act ______ during initial contact to control ______?
eccentrically, knee flexion
The ______ muscles are active from foot flat to midstance and control forward tibial motion.
triceps surae or gastroc’s and soleus
Peak activity of the plantarflexors occurs ______?
Just after heel-off
During which phase of gait does hip and knee extensors contribute to forward propulsion?
Pre-swing
initial contact
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.
loading response
The gastrocnemius soleus muscles are active from foot flat through midstance to eccentrically control forward tibial advancement.
mid stance
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.
terminal stance
Peak activity of the plantarflexors occurs just after heel-off, to push off and generate forward propulsion of the body.
pre swing
Hip and knee extensors (hamstrings and quads) contribute to forward propulsion with a brief burst of activity.
initial swing
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.
mid swing
Foot clearance is achieved by contraction of the hip and knee flexors and the ankle dorsiflexors.
terminal swing
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.
results in glut med weakness, bending to the same side as weakness, happens in amputee pts.
lateral trunk bending
pelvic drop on contralateral side of weak glut med, compensation of lateral trunk bending.
trendelenburg gait
result of glut max weakness, difficulty with ascending stairs and ramps
backward trunk lean
result of weak quads and can be associated with hip and knee flexion contractures
forward trunk lean
result of weak hip extensors or tight hip and knee flexors
excessive hip flexion
result of tight or spastic hip flexors
limited hip extension
result of weak hip flexors or tight extensors
limited hip flexion
antalgic gait
(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.
result of weak quads or knee flexor contracture, pt has difficulty descending stairs or ramps
excessive knee flexion
result of weak quads, plantarflexion contracture or extensor spasticity
hyperextension
toes first
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.
foot slap
The foot makes floor contact with an audible slap.
Result of weak dorsiflexors or hypotonia.
The slap is compensated for with a steppage gait.
foot flat
The entire foot makes contact with the ground.
Result of weak dorsiflexors, limited range of motion, or immature gait pattern.
excessive plantarflexion
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,
varus foot
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.
claw toes
The result of spastic toe flexors, possibly a plantar grasp reflex.
result of weak plantarflexors, decreased range of motion or pain in the forefoot
inadequate push off
insufficient forward pelvic rotation
Pelvic retraction.
The result of weak abdominal muscles and/or weak hip flexor muscles.
Ex: in the patient with stroke.
insufficient hip and knee flexion
The result of weak hip and knee flexors or strong extensor spasticity.
Resulting in an inability to lift the LE and move it forward.
circumducted gait
The LE swings out to the side (abduction/external rotation followed by adduction/internal rotation).
Result of weak hip and knee flexors.
hip hiking
(quadratus lumborum action).
A compensatory response for weak hip and knee flexors, or extensor spasticity.
Because of this they can develop a functional scoliosis .
excessive hip and knee flexion
(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)
abnormal synergistic activity or spasticity
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
Excessive Knee flexion
the result of flexor spasticity; flexor withdrawal reflex
Insufficient knee flexion
the result of extensor spasticity, pain, decreased range of motion, or weak hamstrings
normal step length
male: 79 cm
female: 66 cm
normal stride length
male: 158 cm
female: 132 cm
normal BOS
male: 8.1 cm
female: 7.1 cm
normal toe out
male: 7 degrees
female: 6 degrees
