S5) Walking & Gaits Flashcards
What is locomotion in human beings?
- Locomotion is the ability to move from one place to another
- In humans, walking is the main method of locomotion
The typical walk consists of a repeated gait cycle.
Identify and describe its two phases
- Stance phase: consists of heel strike, support and toe-off phases (60%)
- Swing phase: consists of leg lift and swing phases (40%)
Identify the muscles involved in the heel-strike stage of walking and describe their actions
In the heel-strike stage, foot hits the ground heel first:
- Gluteus maximus: acts on hip to decelerate the lower limb
- Quadriceps femoris: keeps the leg extended at knee and hip
- Anterior leg: maintains ankle dorsiflexion, positioning the heel for the strike
Identify the muscles involved in the support stage of walking and describe their actions
In the support stage, the leading leg hits the ground, and the muscles work to cope with the force passing through the leg:
- Quadriceps femoris: keeps leg extended, accepting body weight
- Foot inverters & everters: contract to stabilise the foot
- Gluteus minimus, medius & TFL: abducts the lower limb to level the pelvis
Identify the muscles involved in the toe-off stage of walking and describe their actions
In the toe-off phase, the foot prepares the leave the ground (heel first, toes last):
- Hamstring muscles: extends the leg at the hip
- Quadriceps femoris: maintains the extended position of the knee
- Posterior leg: plantarflexes the ankle
Identify the muscles involved in the leg lift stage of walking and describe their actions
In the leg lift stage, the foot leaves the ground and the lower limb is raised in preparation for the swing stage:
- Iliopsoas & rectus femoris: flexes the lower limb at the hip, driving the knee forwards
- Hamstring muscles: flexes the lower limb at the knee joint
- Anterior leg: dorsiflexes the ankle
Identify the muscles involved in the swing stage of walking and describe their actions
In the swing phase, the raised leg is propelled forward:
- Iliopsoas & rectus femoris: keep the hip flexed, resisting gravity as it tries to pull the leg down
- Quadriceps femoris: extends the knee, positioning the foot for landing
- Anterior leg: maintains ankle dorsiflexion so heel is in place for landing
What is meant by the term gait?
- Gait is the mechanism by which the body is transported using coordinated movements of the major lower limb joints
- In involves the energy-efficient interaction of the MSK and neurological systems
What is antalgic gait?
- Antalgic gait is a form of gait abnormality that results from pain on weight-bearing
- It is characterised by a shortened stance phase on the affected leg (uneven – walking stick in opposite hand), and is most commonly seen in patients with chronic MSK pain
What is diplegic gait?
- Diplegic gait is a form of gait abnormality that results from neuromuscular disorders such as cerebral palsy
- It is characterised by scissoring and ankle plantarflexion
What is high steppage gait?
- High steppage gait is a form of gait abnormality due to damage to the common or deep peroneal nerves
- It is characterised by foot drop due to loss of dorsiflexion and excessive hip flexion on the affected side
What is Parkinsonian gait?
- Parkinsonian gait is a form of gait abnormality exhibited by patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease (dopamine deficiency produces motor deficits)
- It is characterized by small shuffling steps and a general slowness/loss of movement (hypokinesia/akinesia)
What is Trendelenburg gait?
- Trendelenburg gait is a form of gait abnormality due to a lesion of the superior gluteal nerve producing weakness in the abductor muscles of the lower limb, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus
- The pelvis drops towards the side of the raised limb, meaning weakness/paralysis of the abductor muscles on the standing limb
