Gait Evaluation - Class 6

Question 1

what does history give the therapist

Answer 1

specific info about the person’s sxs or difficulties w/ walking

Question 2

sxs or difficulties with walking

Answer 2

pain w/ walking

loss of balance when ambulating or on an uneven surface

weakness or fatigue w/ ambulation

Question 3

do we ask gait questions to people we think don’t have gait issues

Answer 3

no we don’t have to ask these questions

Question 4

what should we obtain from the pt history

Answer 4

time course or progression of the sxs

Question 5

time course or progression of the sxs

Answer 5

finding out when the problem with walking first occurred

historical progression of the sxs

provides info about the stability of the gait changes

Question 6

changes in gait may reflect

Answer 6

the progression of various dz processes

Question 7

pt history determines

Answer 7

when the problem was at its worse

how often the person experiences difficulty walking

severity of their problem

how long or how far the pt can walk before experiencing sxs

helps identify factors that ease the problem or reduce sxs

Question 8

what do figuring out when the problem was at its worse and how often the person experiences difficulty walking relate to

Answer 8

the severity of their problems

how much the person’s participation in usual and expected roles is disrupted

Question 9

how much the person’s participation in usual and expected roles is different

Answer 9

specific fxnal activities that are limited

degree of participation

Question 10

degree of participation

Answer 10

degree of walking

in the fxnal activity that makes the problem worse

Question 11

how long or how far the pt can walk before experiencing sxs

Answer 11

may help identify the cause of the problem

gives a baseline for documenting progress

how the pt compensates for the identified problems with walking

Question 12

helps identify factors that ease the problem or reduce sxs

Answer 12

many strategies to compensate for difficulties

Question 13

strategies to compensate for difficulties

Answer 13

taking breaks

assistive devices

Question 14

what else should we ask about

Answer 14

info about social support

home, community and work environment

Question 15

social support

Answer 15

is someone available to help at home

can someone bring them to PT

Question 16

what might the answers to the social support questions lead to

Answer 16

determining the d/c placement of the pt

education of the caregiver

Question 17

home

Answer 17

location of the bathrooms and bedrooms

number of steps to enter and within the home

presence of rails when walking on steps

Question 18

how could we ask about a pt’s home

Answer 18

when you park in your driveway, what do you have to do to get into your house?

Question 19

community

Answer 19

fxn may depend on the pt’s ability to manage curbs, walk on uneven surfaces and ascend and descend ramps

Question 20

work

Answer 20

fxn may depend on the physical structure and layout of the environment

Question 21

what does the history include

Answer 21

PMH, meds, etc.

Question 22

observation is easier and more accurate if

Answer 22

pt wears shorts

walks without shoes or supportive equipment when possible

Question 23

what if the pt cannot walk w/o shoes or ADs

Answer 23

if its not safe, don’t do it, document how you observe them

Question 24

what should we get prior to specific analysis of individual areas

Answer 24

general overview of gait

Question 25

what should our overview include

Answer 25

stride length

step length

duration of swing

speed of walking

general smoothness of gait

Question 26

how should we start our overview

Answer 26

how does the pt’s gait look

-smooth
-symmetric
-coordinated

then get specific

Question 27

how should we observe gait

Answer 27

at normal speed

then at faster pace

then at slower pace

to observe effect

Question 28

walking faster –>

Answer 28

don’t have time to think about what their doing