MSK: Gait

Question 1

List the phases of walking.

Answer 1

There are 2 phases of walking.

Stance phase:

• Initial contact (heel strike)
• Loading response
• Mid-stance (flat foot)
• Terminal stance (heel off)
• Pre-swing (Toe off)

Swing phase:

• Initial swing
• Mid-swing
• Terminal swing

Question 2

When does walking become running?

Answer 2

When it changes from having an overlapping stance (double support), to having an overlapping swing (double float).

Question 3

Describe antalgic gait.

Answer 3

When the patient has a painful leg, so that leg has a shorter stance phase and the unfasten leg has a longer stance phase and shorter swing phase

Question 4

Describe hemiplegic gait.

Answer 4

When the patient has a hemi-brain injury e.g stroke so one of the lower limbs remains extended whist the upper limb on the same side remains flexed.

The unaffected leg takes shorter steps and the affected leg undergoes circumduction.

Question 5

Describe high steppage gait.

Answer 5

When the patient has foot drop and so the toes hang down. This means the patient has excessive job flexion on the affected side and the foot slaps as they walk.

Question 6

Describe the gait of a patient with cerebral palsy.

Answer 6

This gait is called diplegic gait and is described as scissoring. The forefoot makes the initial contact and the ankle is planter flexed.