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%)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/327/953/204/a_image_thumb.jpg?1516835868)
Identify the muscles involved in the heel-strike stage of walking and describe their actions
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/327/953/205/q_image_thumb.jpg?1516835868)
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
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/327/953/207/q_image_thumb.jpg?1516835868)
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
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/327/953/209/q_image_thumb.jpg?1516835869)
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
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/327/953/210/q_image_thumb.jpg?1516835869)
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
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/327/953/211/q_image_thumb.jpg?1516835869)
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
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/327/953/214/a_image_thumb.jpg?1516835869)
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
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/327/953/216/a_image_thumb.jpg?1516835870)
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
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/327/953/217/a_image_thumb.jpg?1516835870)
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)
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/327/953/220/a_image_thumb.jpg?1516835870)
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
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/brainscape-prod/system/cm/327/953/221/a_image_thumb.jpg?1516835871)