Abnormal Gait Patterns -T/P

Normal/Unremarkable Gait

Series of rhythmical, alternating movements of the trunk and limbs which result in the forward progression of the center of gravity

Series of "controlled falls"

Antalgic

protective gait pattern where the involved step length increases and stance phase is decreased in order to avoid weight bearing on the involved side, aka "limping"

Dorsiflexor Weakness

-dorsiflexors unable to lift foot off ground and causes toe drag

-Compensation 1: high steppage gait (increased hip and knee flexion to clear foot)

-Compensation 2: Foot slap: dorsiflexors unable to slow down plantarflexors

Gastrosoleus Weakness

- "heel walking" due to little to no push off

-uncontrolled forward rotation of tibia

- plantarflexors unable to slow down dorsiflexors

-knee buckles due to sudden flexion torque

Quadriceps Weakness

-lack of knee extension during initial contact

-knee buckles in loading response

-Compensation 1: affected knee locked in hyperextension and throwing trunk forward to move forward

-Compensation 2: using hand to push leg into extension

Hamstring Weakness

- during stance phase, the knee goes into hyperextension/genu recurvatum

- due to inability of hamstrings to slow down force from quads

- NO COMPENSATION

Hip Flexor Weakness

- Hip stays extended so foot drags

- Compensation 1: hip extends in early swing, so trunk goes back in order to bring leg forward

-Compensation 2: externally rotate weak hip to use adductors to flex hip

-Compensation 3: thrust pelvis forward

Hip Extensor Weakness

-can't counteract flexion of trunk so you fall forward

-Compensation 1: throw the trunk backward with a "lurch" just after heel strike on the affected side

-Compensation 2: extreme posterior pelvic tilt

Hip Abductor Weakness

-aka Trendelenburg Gait

- Can result in drop of pelvis on the side contralateral to the weakness

-Compensation: leaning to affected side to allow more space between ground and leg