GAIT DISORDERS

Question 1

Describe trendelenburg gait

Answer 1

-Hip Abductor weakness
-During stance phase of trendelenburg gait pelvis drops on the unaffected side.

Question 2

What might a patinet do to compensate for trendelenburg gait?

Answer 2

Swinging the torso over towards the affected side which results in an appearance of waddling.

Question 3

Causes of trendelenburg Gait?

Answer 3

-Lesion of the superior gluteal nerve
-Muscle pain and inhibition of function
-Trauma
-Biomechanical hip instability

Question 4

What is Hemiplegic Gait?

Answer 4

-Due to paralysis of one side of the body
-Can be due to:
>Stroke
> Cerebral Palsy
>Trauma to the CNS

Question 5

How will a patient with Hemiplegic present?

Answer 5

-Flexed upper limb and extended lower limb
-Short step in unaffected leg
-Circumduction in affected leg

Question 6

What is Diplegic Gait?

Answer 6

-Spasticity which affects both lower limbs
-due to cerebral palsy (neuromuscular disorders)

Question 7

How will a patient with Diplegic gait present?

Answer 7

-Narrow based gait, dragging both legs scraping toes on the ground
-Scissoring (legs cross the midline when walking)
-Ankles plantar flexed
-Forefoot Inital contact

Question 8

What is high steppage gait?

Answer 8

-Gait seen in patients with weakened ankle dorsiflexion which results in ‘foot drop’
-Can be due to:
> Sciatica
>Common peroneal nerve palsy
>Neuromuscular disorders

Question 9

Describe presentation in high steppage gait

Answer 9

-No dorsiflexion means patinet must flex hip more to lift foot. (excessive hip flexion)
-Eversion flick may be seen
-Foot slap

Question 10

Describe parkinsonian Gait

Answer 10

-Abnormal gait Due to parkinsons (neurological disease)

Question 11

Presentation of Parkinsonian Gait

Answer 11

-Diffiuclt to initiate movement
-Forward flexed (neck and trunk)
-Short steps (shuffling gait)
-Loss of arm swinging while walking

Question 12

What causes ataxic gait

Answer 12

-Cerebellar disorders
-Being drunk
-Sensory
-Inherited

Question 13

Presentation of ataxic gait

Answer 13

-Clumsy, straggering movements, broad base
-Arms held outwards (to aid balance)
-Patient may sway back and forth + side to side when standing
-Unable to walk heel-toe or in a straight line

Question 14

What is antalgic gait?

Answer 14

-Result of weight bearing pain
-Patients walk in a manner which reduces pain.
-Often seen in patients with Chronic MSK pain

Question 15

Presentation of antalgic gait

Answer 15

-Short stance phase in affected leg
-Short swing phase in unaffected leg
-Lack of body weight shift to affected leg
-Uneven

Question 16

What can be used for patients with antalgic gait?

Answer 16

Walking stick in the hand opposite to the painful limb, which acts to shift centre of gravity away from affected limb.