Basic Walking Gait

step length

initial contact of one foot and ends with initial contact of other foot

stride length

starts with initial contact of one foot and ends with the next initial contact of the same foot (= 2 steps)

step width

measured from mid-line of heel across to mid-line of the other heel

cadence

number of steps per time

velocity

= speed = step length x cadence (expressed as time/distance)

moderate velocity

111-120 steps/min

vigorous velocity

125-135 steps/min

gait cycle

1. heel strike

2. loading response

3. midstance

4. terminal stance

5. preswing

6. initial swing

7. midswing

8. terminal swing

stance phase

reference foot is on the ground

swing phase

reference foot is off the ground

ground reaction force

every action has an equal and opposite reaction

3 vector forces of GRF

1. vertical force (110-140% of BW)

2. anteroposterior (20% of BW)

3. medial-lateral (5% of BW)

joint moments

external moments are a result of the GRF on joints → counterbalanced by muscle contraction. creating an internal moment

center of pressure

= COP = the cumulative forces in a given area at an instance in time

ankle plantar flexion contracture compensations

knee hyperextension and forward trunk lean

foot drop compensation

excessive knee and hip flexion → sometimes hip hike/circumduction

vaulting

reduced knee flexion → causes vaulting as compensation (pushing up on toes to help raise the contralateral leg that has reduced knee flexion)

weak quads compensation

forward trunk lean

knee flexion contracture compensation

exaggerated knee and hip flexion on contralateral side

antalgic gait

less stance time on injured leg → limp, avoiding the hurt leg

ataxic gait

unsteady and uncoordinated walking pattern caused by disruption in the brain or nervous system

gluteus maximus gait

gluts are weak → trunk lurches backwards to compensate for weakness with hip extension

trendelenburg gait

weak glut med and min → causes contralateral hip drop

hemiplegic gait

one side of the leg is weak and has to swing outward (circumduction) to move forward

parkinsonian gait

shuffling gait with reduced arm swing anf forward leaning posture

scissor gait

abnormal gait where legs cross over in front of each other like a pair of scissors caused by spasticity in hip adductors

steppage gait

abnormal gait where you lift your leg higher than normal at the hip and knee to avoid dragging your toes → seen in patients with foot drop (weak dorsiflexors)