Objective 32 - Types of gaits

Question 1

Patient presents with a leg that is in extension with plantar flexion. Name the gait.

Answer 1

Hemiplegic gait - often seen in stroke patients

Question 2

Patient presents with abnormally narrow base dragging both legs and scrapping toes. Name the gait.

Answer 2

Diplegic gait - seen in bilateral periventricular lesions

• tightness of the hip adductors
• scissor gait
• seen with cerebral palsy

Question 3

Patient presents with weakness of dorsiflexion and has to lift the leg high during walking. Name the gait.

Answer 3

Neuropathic Gait (steppage gait, equine gait)
Unilateral - peroneal nerve palsy or L5 radiculopathy
Bilateral - ALS, Charcot-Marie-Tooth, uncontrolled diabetes

Question 4

Patient has a muscular dystrophy and is seen with a Trendelenburg sign. Name that gait.

Answer 4

Myopathic gait - weak gluteus medius causes contralateral hip to drop

Question 5

Patient displays jerky involuntary movement. Name the likely gait.

Answer 5

Choreiform gait- basal ganglia disorders (Sydenham’s chorea, Huntington’s, dystonia)

Question 6

Patient displays a wide based gait with clumsy staggering movements. Name the likely gait.

Answer 6

Ataxic gait

Question 7

Patient is stooped with flexed knees and walks with slow little steps.

Answer 7

Parkinsonian gait - difficulty initiating gait

Question 8

Patient stomps to know when their foot has landed. Name the gait.

Answer 8

Sensory gait

Question 9

What disorders can a sensory gait be seen in?

Answer 9

Disorder of dorsal column (B12 deficiency or tabes dorsalis) or uncontrolled diabetes