Potential Pathomechanical Gait Causes

Question 1

What can cause central or medial heel strike?

Answer 1

FF Varus, RF Valgus, PTTD, pain avoidance, femoral anteversion

Question 2

What can cause an excessively lateral heel strike?

Answer 2

RF Varus, rigid FF valgus, rigid PF 1st ray, tibial or genu varum, pain avoidance

Question 3

What can cause a forefoot strike at initial contact?

Answer 3

Pes equinus, pain avoidance, LLD, injury causing lack of knee extension

Question 4

What can cause flat foot strike?

Answer 4

Excessive knee flexion, shuffle gait/short stride length

Question 5

What can cause a low heel strike?

Answer 5

Limited DF, Pes equinus, excessive knee or hip flexion

Question 6

What can cause excessive pronation in early midstance?

Answer 6

FF Varus, RF Valgus/Varus, Pes equinus, PTTD, hypermobile 1st ray

Question 7

What can cause excessive RF eversion during early midstance?

Answer 7

FF Varus, RF Valgus/Varus, pes equinus

Question 8

What can cause excessive supination/rear foot inversion during early midstance?

Answer 8

FF Valgus, PF 1st ray, conditions causing rigid cavovarus feet (CMT, Clubfoot)

Question 9

What can cause foot slap during early midstance?

Answer 9

Weak anterior lower limb musculature, nerve injuries/conditions affecting these muscles (stroke, CMT, back injury)

Question 10

What can cause prolonged pronation during midstance?

Answer 10

FF Varus, RF Valgus, PTTD

Question 11

What can cause a lack of pronation/supination in midstance?

Answer 11

Rigid FF Valgus, rigid PF 1st ray, RF Varus

Question 12

What can cause an early heel lift?

Answer 12

Pain avoidance, excessive knee or hip flexion, pes equinus, FF Varus

Question 13

What can cause an abductory twist?

Answer 13

Tight posterior lower limb musculature, hallux limitus/rigidus, FHL

Question 14

What can cause a lack of resupination at heel lift?

Answer 14

FF Varus, RF Valgus, PTTD, pes equinus

Question 15

What can cause a delayed heel lift?

Answer 15

Weak plantarflexors, pain avoidance at the fore foot

Question 16

What can cause a low gear toe off?

Answer 16

Hallux limitus/rigidus, FHL, excessive resupination, Morton’s foot

Question 17

What can cause a medial toe off?

Answer 17

Prolonged probation, hallux limitus/rigidus, hyper mobile 1st ray

Question 18

What can cause a poor push off (flat footed or pick up)?

Answer 18

Pain avoidance at forefoot, weakness of posterior lower limb, shuffle gait, limited knee flexion

Question 19

What can cause pronation through swing phase?

Answer 19

FF Varus, PTTD, tib ant weakness

Question 20

What can cause circumduction during swing phase?

Answer 20

Low gear TO, abductory twist, lack of hip or knee flexion, pain avoidance, linger limb in LLD

Question 21

What can cause toe drag during swing phase?

Answer 21

Lack of dorsiflexion, foot drop, lack of hip or knee flexion

Question 22

What can cause contralateral vaulting during swing phase?

Answer 22

Lack of hip or knee flexion on one side only (typically after surgery or injury), LLD

Question 23

What can cause excessive knee flexion during swing phase?

Answer 23

Lack of dorsiflexion at the ankle, instability in older adults

Question 24

What can cause high stoppage gait?

Answer 24

Conditions causing foot drop, leading to high stepping as a compensation