Walking and Gait

Question 1

Define the gait cycle?

Answer 1

Describes the period of time from initial contact to next initial contact on the same side

Question 2

What are the 5 attributes of normal gait?

Answer 2

Stability of stance. 
Foot clearance in swing. 
Pre-positioning for initial contact. 
Adequate step length. 
Energy conservation

Question 3

List the 2 phases of walking

Answer 3

Stance phase 60% time = initial contact, loading response, mid-stance, terminal stance, pre-swing.

Swing phase 40% time = initial swing, mid-swing, terminal swing.

Question 4

During gait how is energy conserved?

Answer 4

Minimise excursion of centre of gravity,
control momentum,
transfer energy between body segments,
phasic muscle action

Question 5

Understand when walking becomes running

Answer 5

Walking = double support phase.

Running = double float phase

Question 6

Describe Trendelenburg gait

Answer 6

weak abductor muscles of lower limb, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus.

People with a lesion of superior gluteal nerve have weakness of abducting thigh at hip.

Question 7

Describe high-steppage gait

Answer 7

Typically sciatica = foot drop, toes hang down, excessive hip flexion, foot slap

Question 8

Describe antalgic gait

Answer 8

results from pain on weight-bearing

characterised by a shortened stance phase, and is most commonly seen in patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain

Question 9

Describe hemiparetic gait

Answer 9

Hemi brain injury = stroke/cerebral palsy

flexed upper limb/extended lower limb = long leg = circumduction affected

Question 10

Outline diplegic gait

Answer 10

Typically cerebral palsy, tight muscle groups = scissoring

Question 11

Describe parkinsonian gait

Answer 11

Falling into, short stepping/shuffling gait

Question 12

Muscles used the heel-strike stage of gait

Answer 12

Gluteus maximus – acts on the hip to decelerate the lower limb.

Quadriceps femoris – keeps the leg extended at the knee and hip.

Anterior compartment of the leg – maintains the ankle dorsiflexion, positioning the heel for the strike.

Question 13

Muscles used the support stage of gait

Answer 13

Quadriceps femoris – keeps the leg extended, accepting the weight of the body.

Foot inverters and everters – contract in a balanced manner to stabilise the foot.

Gluteus minimus, medius and tensor fascia lata – abducts the lower limb. This keeps the pelvis level by counteracting the imbalance created from having most of the body-weight on one leg.

Question 14

Muscles used the toe-off stage of gait

Answer 14

Hamstring muscles – extends the leg at the hip.

Quadriceps femoris – maintains the extended position of the knee.

Posterior compartment of the leg – plantarflexes the ankle. The prime movers include gastrocnemius, soleus and tibialis posterior.

Question 15

Muscles used the leg lift stage of gait

Answer 15

Iliopsoas and rectus femoris – flexes the lower limb at the hip, driving the knee forwards.

Hamstring muscles – flexes the lower limb at the knee joint.

Anterior compartment of the leg – dorsiflexes the ankle.

Question 16

Muscles used the swing stage of gait

Answer 16

Iliopsoas and 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 compartment of the leg – maintains ankle dorsiflexion so that the heel is in place for landing.