Gaits

Question 1

Antalgic Gait

Answer 1

Painful gait
Self-protective and results of injury to pelvis, hip, knee, ankle, foot
stance phase of affective leg is shorter than non affected leg, because client tries to remove weight of affective side as quickly as possible
swing phase of uninvolved leg is decreased
shorter step length on uninvolved side
decrease walking velocity and decrease cadence

Question 2

Arthrogenic gait

Answer 2

stiff hip/knee
results from stiffness, laxity or deformity
may be painful or pain free
client lifts entire leg higher than normal to clear ground because of stuff hip or knee
when stiff leg/hip is weight bearing, gait length is usually smaller

Question 3

ataxic gait

Answer 3

gait pattern characterized by staggering and unsteadiness
lack of coordination and tendency of poor balance
usually wide base of support and movements are exaggerated

Question 4

contracture gait

Answer 4

joints of lower limb may exhibit contracture if immobilization has been prolonged/pathology to joint has not properly cared for
hip flexion contracture: results in increase lumbar lordosis and extension of trunk combined with knee flexion to foot on ground
Knee flexion contracture: client demonstrates excessive ankle dorsiflexion from late swing phase to early stance on uninvolved leg and early heel rise on involved side in terminal stance
iliopsoas is often affected

Question 5

Cerebellar gait

Answer 5

staggering gait pattern

seen in cerebellar disease

Question 6

double step gait

Answer 6

gait pattern in which alternate steps of different length or at different rate

Question 7

equine gait

Answer 7

gait pattern characterized by high steps

usually involves excessive activity of gastro

Question 8

scissor gait

Answer 8

legs cross mid-line upon advancement

Question 9

Equinus gait

Answer 9

toe walking
weight bearing primarily on dorsolateral/lat edge of foot
depends on degree of deformity (club foot)
weight bearing phase of affected limb is decreased
limp is present

Question 10

Gluteus Maximus Gait

Answer 10

weakness of guilt max
client thrust thorax post at initial contact (heel strike) to maintain hip extension of stance leg
gait has backward lurch of trunk

Question 11

Festinating gait

Answer 11

gait pattern where patient walks on toes as though pushed

it starts slowly, increases, may continue until patient grasps object in order to stop

Question 12

spastic gait

Answer 12

gait pattern with stiff movements
toes seeming to catch and drag, legs held together, hips and knees slightly flexed
commonly seen in spastic paraplegia

Question 13

steppage gait

Answer 13

drop foot
feet and toes are lifted through hip and knee flexion to excessive heights
usually secondary to dorsiflexion weakness
foot will slap at initial contact with the ground secondary to decrease control

Question 14

propulsive gait

Answer 14

marked by increased forward flexion of trunk and knees
gait is shuffling with quick and small steps
festinating may occur

Question 15

tabetic gait

Answer 15

high stepping ataxic gait in which feet slap the ground

Question 16

trendelenburg gait

Answer 16

gluteus medius gait
denotes glute med weakness
excessive lat trunk flexion and weight shifting over stance leg

Question 17

vaulting gait

Answer 17

where swing leg advances by compensating through combination of elevation of pelvis and plantar flexion of stance leg

Question 18

Hemiplegic gait

Answer 18

gait pattern in which patient abducts paralyzed limb, swings around and brings forward so foot comes to ground in front of them

Question 19

Parkinsonian gait

Answer 19

neck, trunks and knees of client are flexed

gait is shuffling or short rapid steps

Question 20

plantar flexor gait

Answer 20

ankle and knee stability are great affected if plantar flexors are unable to perform their function
decrease or absence of push off
stance phase is less and there is shorter step length on unaffected side

Question 21

Psoatic limp

Answer 21

difficulty in swing through and limp may be accompanied by exaggerated trunk and pelvic movement
lat rotation, flexion and adduction of hip

Question 22

short leg gait

Answer 22

notable lat shift to affected side and pelvis tilts down on affected side creating limp