Common Gait deviations

what is an antalgic gait

• pain in LE that causes limping

• Short stance phase relative to swing phase on affected side

what is Trendelenburg gait

• weakness in glute med that causes changes in contralateral hip during swing

what are the two types of Trendelenburg gait

uncompensated

compensated

what is uncompensated Trendelenburg gait

• contralateral hip drop

• leans AWAY from weak side

what is compensated Trendelenburg gait

• contralateral hip hike

• leans TOWARDS weak side

what is hemiparetic gait

• decrease cadence

• prolonged swing duration on paretic side

• prolong stance duration on nonparetic side

• step length asymmetry

what is scissor gait

• increase muscle tone of ADD mm

• causes knees/thighs to press together/cross while walking

what is circumduction

• weakness of hip flexors

• contralateral hip dysfunction

• leg length discrepancy

• causes hip hiking + forward rot. of pelvis + abduction of hip

what is vaulting

• ankle DF weakness/ leg length discrepancy

• requires PF of contralateral ankle during single-leg support phase to assist swing leg clearence

what is foot slap

• ankle DF weakness

• causes forefoot to rapidly decent during initial contact

• OR no ankle DF clearance during swing which results in steppage gait

what is ataxia

• failure of muscle coordination causing an irregular foot placement, wide base, and instability during ambulation

what is festinating

• people w/ parkinson’s

• gait appears shuffled, with short slow step length, and narrow base

• cant perform smooth turning

• freeze at obstacles