GAIT Cycle Flashcards
Define Gait cycle
- Manner of ambulation or locomotion involves the total body.
- Sequence of events during locomotion in which one-foot contacts the ground to when that same foot again contracts the ground.
One complete gait = _____________
One stride
2 main phases of GAIT cycle and their percentage%
- Stance phase = 60%
2. Swing phase = 40%
Stages of GAIT cycle (8)
(1) Initial contact (heel strike)
(2) Loading response (foot flat)
(3) Mid stance
(4) Terminal stance (heel off)
(5) Pre swing (toe-off)
(6) Initial swing
(7) Mid swing
(8) Terminal swing
Antalgic gait (Knee pain)
Decreased weight bearing on the affected side
Knee remains in flexion and possible toe weight-bearing occurs during the stance phase.
Antalgic gait (Ankle pain)
Present with reduced stride length and decreased weight bearing on the affected limb.
Antalgic gait (Hip pain)
Reduced stance phase on that side – the trunk is propelled quickly forward within opposite shoulder lifted in an attempt to even the weight distributions over the limb and reduce weight-bearing – swing phase is also reduced.
Coxalgic gait
- Patients with hip pain limit the amount of hip extension during late stance.
- Upper trunk is typically shifted towards the affected side during the stance phase on the affected leg.
- Lateral lurch
Hemiplegic gait
- Often seen as a result of a stroke
- Gait is likely to be slow with circumduction or hip hitching of the affected limb to aid floor clearance
- Upper limb is in a flexed position, adducted, and internally rotated at the shoulder.
- Lower limb is internally rotated, the knee extended and the ankle inverted, and plantarflexed.
Diplegic gait
- Spasticity is normally associated with both lower limbs.
- Spasticity in the lower half of the legs results in plantarflexed ankles representing in ‘tip toe’ walking and often toe dragging.
- Contractures of the adductor muscles can create a scissor-type gait with a narrowed base of support.
- Excessive hip flexion is required to overcome.
