Week 7 Gait (draft)

Gait

The manner in which a person walks

Stride length

The distance you travel during the gait cycle; its between two heel strikes on the same foot (ex: starts at the first heel strike of the R leg and ends at the second heel strike of the R leg)

Gait cycle

Also called stride, the activity that happens between the time one foot touches the ground and the time the same foot touches the ground again

Step length

Distance between the first heel strikes on both feet ex: distance between the 1st heel strike of the R foot to the 1st heel strike of the L foot

Stance phase

The phase of gait when the foot is in contact with the ground

Swing phase

The phase of gait when the foot loses contact with the ground and the lower limb swings

Heel strike

A phase of the gait cycle when the heel comes into contact with the ground

Foot flat

A phase of the gait cycle when the entire foot is on the groun

Midstance

A phase of the gait cycle when your body passes over your weight-bearing foot; your COG is aligned with you stance leg

Heel-off

A phase of the gait cycle when the heel rises off the floor

Toe off

Signals the end of the propulsion and stance phases of the gait cycle

Acceleration

Speeding up in the forward direction

Deceleration

Slowing speed in the forward direction

Trendelenburg Gait

Atypical gait pattern due to dysfunction of hip abductors, the hip drops on the non-weight bearing side (the swing leg) and there is a lateral lean of the trunk

Genu recurvatum

Hyperextension of the knees

Equinus gait

Atypical gait where the ankle is held in plantar flexion, preventing the heel from touching the ground normally

Foot slap gait

Atypical gait where the dorsiflexor muscles are unable to support a person’s body weight, leading to an uncontrolled descend of the foot; it creates a slapping noise

Drop foot

Atypical gait in with a person is unable to dorsi flex the ankle as the leg swings

Steppage gait

Atypical gait where an individual raises their knee higher than usual to ensure their foot clears the ground as it swings

Bell-clapper gait

Atypical gait due to a fused hip, the lumbar spine and pelvis compensates for this by being the prime movers of the swing phase on the affected side; results in decreased lumbar lordosis and a posterior pelvic tilt

Vaulting

Atypical gait due to decreased knee flexion and extension, it involves and individual rising up on their toes

Circumducted gait

Atypical gait where the leg begins at midline during toe off but it swings out during the swing phase before returning to midline for the heel-strike

Ataxic gait

Atypical gait due to damage to the cerebellum, it is uncoordinated, lacking balance, and causes jerking motions during gait; the individual also uses a wide base of support to compensate