Gait Movement Analysis

Question 1

Initial alignment - reduced ankle DF

Answer 1

Adaptive strategies/compensations:
Underlying impairments: decreased PF length

Question 1

Initial alignment - hips not neutral rotation

Answer 1

Adaptive strategies/compensations: hips externally rotated bilaterally (increased BOS)

Underlying impairments: weak hip IR/ER + hip add/abd

Question 2

Initial alignment - Uneven BOS (weight shifting)

Answer 2

Underlying impairment: balance + weakened LL of affected side

Question 3

Stance - Lack of DF on initial contact

Answer 3

Adaptive strategies/compensations: ankle not DF so foot slap –> leads to knee hyperE and hip flexion due to limited rolling around ankle

Underlying impairments: Weak DF (ecc control) or PF contracture (short PFs - toe walking)

Question 4

Stance - Lack of knee flexion on loading response

Answer 4

Adaptive strategies/compensations: knee hyperextension

Underlying impairments: weak LL + impaired balance, weak DF causing foot slap, weak knee extensors - quads not activating so knee hyperextends

Question 5

Stance - decreased DF through mid stance

Answer 5

Adaptive strategies/compensations: trunk incline forward during stance (hip flexion)

Underlying impairments: decreased PF length - meant to see ecc activation of plantarflexors

Question 6

Stance - decreased hip extension (terminal stance)

Answer 6

Adaptive strategies/compensations: increased time in double support, shorter step length, circumduction, increased hip flexion in swing to clear leg

Underlying impairments: short hip flexors or short PF

Question 7

Stance - lack of PF at push off

Answer 7

Adaptive strategies/compensations: increased time in double support, short step length, circumduction, increased hip flexion in swing to clear leg

Underlying impairments: Short hip flexion, weak plantarflexors, decreased PF length

Weak PFs: reduced propulsion so less energy generated in swing –> compensate by pulling hip and knee flexors forwards rather than using momentum. Causes circumduction or excessive hip/knee flexion

Question 8

Swing - decreased knee flexion (initial swing)

Answer 8

Adaptive strategies/compensations: excessive hip flexion

Underlying impairments: insufficient push off due to weak and/or short PF or short hip F

Question 9

Swing - appropriate hip flexion

Answer 9

Adaptive strategies/compensations: elevation of the pelvis and abduction of the leg

Underlying impairments: impaired clearance mechanism at ankle due to weak ankle dorsiflexors + short PF.

Question 10

Swing - decreased knee extension prior to heel strike

Answer 10

Adaptive strategies/compensations: terminal swing with knee flexed

Underlying impairments: lack of control of hip flexors, lack of control of knee E/F, weak knee extensors

Question 11

Swing - Lack of ankle DF prior to heel strike

Answer 11

Adaptive strategies/compensations: terminal swing with knee flexed

Underlying impairments: weak quadriceps and or hamstrings. Weak DF or tight PF

Question 12

Swing - mid swing opposite hip abductor weakness

Answer 12

Adaptive strategies/compensations: Trendelenberg gait, hip drop. Compensate with lateral flexion of trunk to clear leg

Underlying impairments: weak glute med