Gait Deviations

Question 1

antalgic gait

Answer 1

involved step length is decreased to avoid WB on involved side due to pain

Question 2

ataxic gait

Answer 2

staggering/ unsteady- usually w/ wide BOS and exaggerated movements

Question 3

cerebellar gait

Answer 3

staggering pattern usually accompanying cerebellar disease

Question 4

circumduction

Answer 4

circular motion used to advance the leg during swing phase- may be used to compensate for insufficient hip/knee flex or dorsiflex

Question 5

double step gait

Answer 5

alternate steps are of different length/ rate

Question 6

equine gait

Answer 6

high steps, usually w/ excessive gastroc activity (plantarflex)

Question 7

festinating gait

Answer 7

patient walks on toes as though pushed- starting slowly, and increases until patient grasps an object in front of them to stop amb

Question 8

hemiplegic gait

Answer 8

patient ABducts paralyzed limb, swings it around, and brings it forward so the foot comes to the ground in front of the patient

Question 9

parkinsonian gait

Answer 9

marked by increased forward flex of trunk & knees- gait is shuffling w/ quick, small steps: festinating may occur

Question 10

scissor gait

Answer 10

legs cross midline upon advancement

Question 11

spastic gait

Answer 11

stiff movement, toes seem to catch & drag, legs held together, hip & knee joints slightly flexed- commonly seen in spastic paraplegia

Question 12

steppage gait

Answer 12

feet & toes are lifted through hip & knee flex to excessive heights- usually 2ndary to dorsiflex weakness
foot will slap @ initial contact w/ ground 2ndary to decreased control
looks like marching

Question 13

tabetic gait

Answer 13

high stepping ataxic gait pattern where feet slap the ground

Question 14

Trendelenburg gait

Answer 14

denotes gluteus maximus weakness: excessive lateral trunk flex & weight shift over the stance leg

Question 15

vaulting gait

Answer 15

swing leg advances by compensating through combo of elevation of pelvis & plantar flexion of stance leg

Question 16

Foot Slap

Answer 16

due to weak dorsiflexors/ dorsiflexor paralysis

Question 17

Toe down when there should be Heel Strike

Answer 17

due to:
plantarflexor spasticity/ contracture
dorsiflexor weakness/ paralysis
leg length discrepancy
hindfoot pain

Question 18

Clawing of Toes

Answer 18

due to: toe flexor spasticity, positive support reflex

Question 19

Heel lift during midstance

Answer 19

due to: insufficient dorsiflexor ROM, plantarflexor spasticity

Question 20

Lack of Toe Off

Answer 20

due to:
forefoot pain
weak plantarflexors
weak toe flexors
insufficient plantarflex ROM

Question 21

Exaggerated knee flex @ contact

Answer 21

due to: quad weakness/paralysis
hamstring spasticity
insufficient extension ROM

Question 22

Hyperextension in Stance

Answer 22

due to: compensation for weak quads

plantarflex contracture

Question 23

Exaggerated knee flex @ terminal stance

Answer 23

due to: knee flex contracture

hip flexor contracture

Question 24

Insufficient flexion w/ swing

Answer 24

due to: knee effusion
quad extension spasticity
plantarflex spasticity
insufficient flex ROM

Question 25

Excessive flex w/ swing

Answer 25

due to: flexor withdrawal reflex

lower extremity flexor synergy

Question 26

Insufficient hip flex @ initial contact

Answer 26

due to: hip flexor weakness/ paralysis
hip extensor spasticity
insufficient hip flexion ROM

Question 27

Insufficient hip ext @ stance

Answer 27

due to: insufficient hip ext ROM
hip flex contracture
lower extremity flexor synergy

Question 28

Circumduction during swing

Answer 28

due to: compensation for weak hip flexors/ dorsiflexors/ hamstrings

Question 29

Exaggerated hip flex during swing

Answer 29

due to: LE flexor synergy

compensation for insufficient ankle dorsiflex