Session 7-Gait Flashcards
What is gait?
Mechanism by which body is transported using coordinated movements of the major lower limb joints
What are the five attributes of gait?
1) stability in stance
2) foot clearance in swing
3) pre-positioning for initial contact
4) adequate step length
5) energy conservation
What does the gait cycle describe?
Period of time from initial contact to next initial contact on the same side
What makes up 60% of the gait cycle?
Stance phase
What makes up 40% of the gait cycle?
Swing phase
What is double support?
Both feet on the ground at the same time
What is double float?
Overlapping swing phase - neither foot is in contact with the ground
What are the five stages of the stance phase?
1) initial contact (heel strike)
2) loading response
3) mid-stance (foot flat)
4) terminal stance (heel off)
5) pre-swing (toe off)
What are the three stages of the swing phase?
1) initial swing
2) mid-swing
3) terminal swing
Define stride
Distance from initial contact of one foot to initial contact of same foot
Define step
Distance from initial contact of right foot to initial contact of left foot
Define cadence
Steps per minute
What do kinematics describe?
Motion:
- joint angles
- displacements
- velocities
- accelerations
What do kinetics describe?
Things that cause motion:
- forces
- moments
How many rockers are in the stance phase?
3
What are the different ways in which muscles work in kinetics?
- concentric (shortening)
- eccentric (lengthening)
- isometric (same length)
Why is energy conservation important?
1) minimise excursion of centre of gravity
2) control momentum
3) transfer energy between body segments
4) phasic muscle action
Describe the characteristics of antalgic gait
- painful leg
- short stance phase for affected leg
- lack body weight shift to affected leg
- short swing phase in unaffected leg
- uneven
What can cause a hemiplegic gait?
Hemi-brain injury:
- stroke
- cerebral palsy
- trauma
Describe hemiplegic gait
- flexed upper limb
- extended lower limb
- short step in unaffected leg
- circumduction in affected leg
What can cause a diplegic gait?
Neuromuscular disorders: cerebral palsy
Describe diplegic gait
- scissoring
- tight muscle groups: psoas/adductors/calf/hamstrings
- ankle plantarflexed
- forefoot initial contact
What can cause high steppage gait?
Foot drop in sciatica, common peroneal nerve palsy, neuromuscular disorders
Describe high steppage gait
- toes hanging down
- excessive hip flexion on affected side
- foot slap
Describe Parkinsonian gait
- shuffling/short step
- forward flexed
- no arm swing
- festinant
