Gait Disturbances

What does a hemiplegic gait look like

Circumduction of the foot
Same arm rigid and held adducted w/ flexed elbow, wrist and fingers

What is a hemiplegic gait caused by

One-sided weakness or paralysis
Damage to the motor pathways in the brain via stroke, TBI or congenital conditions such as cerebral palsy.

What does a neuropathic gait look like

Foot/toe drag or foot lifted high and circumducted
Unable to walk on their heels

What can cause a neuropathic gait

Weakness, damage, paralysis of dorsiflexors.

List some common DDs for a neuropathic gait

Common fib N injury
Lsp disc herniation
MS, Parkinsons

What does an Ataxic gait look like

Wide and unsteady, person will watch the ground while they walk.
Clumsiness or falling towards the side the cerebellar lesion is on.

What can cause an Ataxic gait

Damage to the cerebellum via stroke, tumor, MS, genetic conditions.

What does a parkinsonian gait look like

Short and shuffling steps w/ a difficulty to initiate movement.
Stooped posture, head forward

What is parkinsonian gait caused by

Deficiency of dopamine in basal ganglia

What does a Diplegic gait look like

Legs appear tight and stiff due to increased adductor tone.
Often plantarflexed, and arms are held in flexion. If there is extreme adductor tone, a scissoring gait will occur.

What can cause a diplegic gait

Cerebral palsy
Conditions affecting upper motor neuron pathways

What does a trendelenberg gait look like

Pelvis drops on oppsite side during walking.
Side to side waddling appearence.

What is a trendelenberg gait caused by

Weakness of G.med/min
Muscular dystrophies/myopathies

What does a choreiform gait look like

Appears jerky and iregular w/ sudden involuntery movements of limbs and trunk.
Looks restless or dance like while moving

What is a choreiform gait caused by

Huntington disease
Cerebral palsy
Basal ganglia disorders

What can cause a bilateral neuropathic gait

Diabetic neuropathy

What does a sensory ataxic/stompage gait look like and what causes it.

The person will stomp on the ground to create vibrations. This occurs because they often have a dorsal column lesion, resulting in impaired proprioception. The vibrations help determine where they are in space.