S5) Walking & Gaits Flashcards

1
Q

What is locomotion in human beings?

A
  • Locomotion is the ability to move from one place to another
  • In humans, walking is the main method of locomotion
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2
Q

The typical walk consists of a repeated gait cycle.

Identify and describe its two phases

A
  • Stance phase: consists of heel strike, support and toe-off phases (60%)
  • Swing phase: consists of leg lift and swing phases (40%)
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3
Q

Identify the muscles involved in the heel-strike stage of walking and describe their actions

A

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
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4
Q

Identify the muscles involved in the support stage of walking and describe their actions

A

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
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5
Q

Identify the muscles involved in the toe-off stage of walking and describe their actions

A

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
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6
Q

Identify the muscles involved in the leg lift stage of walking and describe their actions

A

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
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7
Q

Identify the muscles involved in the swing stage of walking and describe their actions

A

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
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8
Q

What is meant by the term gait?

A

- 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
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9
Q

What is antalgic gait?

A
  • 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
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10
Q

What is diplegic gait?

A
  • 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
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11
Q

What is high steppage gait?

A
  • 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
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12
Q

What is Parkinsonian gait?

A
  • 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)
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13
Q

What is Trendelenburg gait?

A
  • 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
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