Gait Evaluation - Class 6 Flashcards
what does history give the therapist
specific info about the person’s sxs or difficulties w/ walking
sxs or difficulties with walking
pain w/ walking
loss of balance when ambulating or on an uneven surface
weakness or fatigue w/ ambulation
do we ask gait questions to people we think don’t have gait issues
no we don’t have to ask these questions
what should we obtain from the pt history
time course or progression of the sxs
time course or progression of the sxs
finding out when the problem with walking first occurred
historical progression of the sxs
provides info about the stability of the gait changes
changes in gait may reflect
the progression of various dz processes
pt history determines
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
what do figuring out when the problem was at its worse and how often the person experiences difficulty walking relate to
the severity of their problems
how much the person’s participation in usual and expected roles is disrupted
how much the person’s participation in usual and expected roles is different
specific fxnal activities that are limited
degree of participation
degree of participation
degree of walking
in the fxnal activity that makes the problem worse
how long or how far the pt can walk before experiencing sxs
may help identify the cause of the problem
gives a baseline for documenting progress
how the pt compensates for the identified problems with walking
helps identify factors that ease the problem or reduce sxs
many strategies to compensate for difficulties
strategies to compensate for difficulties
taking breaks
assistive devices
what else should we ask about
info about social support
home, community and work environment
social support
is someone available to help at home
can someone bring them to PT
what might the answers to the social support questions lead to
determining the d/c placement of the pt
education of the caregiver
home
location of the bathrooms and bedrooms
number of steps to enter and within the home
presence of rails when walking on steps
how could we ask about a pt’s home
when you park in your driveway, what do you have to do to get into your house?
community
fxn may depend on the pt’s ability to manage curbs, walk on uneven surfaces and ascend and descend ramps
work
fxn may depend on the physical structure and layout of the environment
what does the history include
PMH, meds, etc.
observation is easier and more accurate if
pt wears shorts
walks without shoes or supportive equipment when possible
what if the pt cannot walk w/o shoes or ADs
if its not safe, don’t do it, document how you observe them
what should we get prior to specific analysis of individual areas
general overview of gait
what should our overview include
stride length
step length
duration of swing
speed of walking
general smoothness of gait
how should we start our overview
how does the pt’s gait look
-smooth
-symmetric
-coordinated
then get specific
how should we observe gait
at normal speed
then at faster pace
then at slower pace
to observe effect
walking faster –>
don’t have time to think about what their doing
