Gait Deviations

Question 1

foot flat

Answer 1

initial contact - sagittal
causes: weakness of dorsiflexors, plantarflexion contracture, hypermobility at talocrural joint

Question 2

foot slap

Answer 2

loading response - sagittal
causes: weakness in dorsiflexors

Question 3

early heel off

Answer 3

mid-stance - sagittal
causes: skeletal deformity, impaired motor control of plantarflexors, plantarflexion contracture

Question 4

vaulting

Answer 4

mid-stance - sagittal
heel rise of good side while bed side is going through swing
causes: longer swing limb, inadequate knee flexion during initial swing or midswing

Question 5

excessive pronation

Answer 5

terminal stance - frontal
causes: weak inverters

Question 6

toe drag

Answer 6

initial swing - sagittal
causes: inadequate knee flexion

Question 7

inadequate MTP extension

Answer 7

preswing - sagittal

Question 8

drop foot

Answer 8

midswing - sagittal
causes: weak DF, lesion of deep fibular nerve, pes equines

Question 9

extensor thrust

Answer 9

initial contact - sagittal
causes: weakness or spasticity of quads, abnormal PF activity, impaired proprioception

Question 10

varus (bowleg), valgus (knocked knee), thrust

Answer 10

loading response - frontal
causes: skeletal deformity or ligamentous instability

Question 11

genu recurvatum

Answer 11

midstance - sagittal
causes: knee extensor weakness, tightness in plantarflexors or hamstrings

Question 12

crouch gait

Answer 12

midstance - sagittal
causes: knee flexion contracture, hamstring tightness or spasticity, restriction in ROM

Question 13

inadequate knee flexion

Answer 13

initialswing - sagittal
causes: knee extension contracture or spasticity of knee extensors

Question 14

excessive knee flexion

Answer 14

midswing - sagittal
causes: impaired motor control of hip or knee flexors, inadequate dorsiflexion, short stance limb

Question 15

inadequate knee extension

Answer 15

terminal swing - sagittal
causes: knee flexion contracture, hamstring overactivity, knee pain or joint diffusion, restriction of knee ROM

Question 16

glute max gait

Answer 16

loading response - sagittal
glute max weakness compensates with trunk by leaning backwards to lock into hip extension

Question 17

antalgic

Answer 17

midstance - sagittal
against pain, limp

Question 18

scissoring gait

Answer 18

midstance - frontal
both thighs cross midline
causes: adduction contracture, hip hypomobility, abnormal abductor muscle activity

Question 19

Trendelenburg (compensated)

Answer 19

midstance - frontal
causes: weakness of glute med on stance leg

Question 20

excessive backward rotation

Answer 20

terminal stance - horizontal
causes: hip flexion contracture hypomobility, pain, impaired motor control

Question 21

steppage gate

Answer 21

midswing - sagittal
hip flexing excessively
causes: inadequate knee flexion in ISw or inadequate DF in MSw, stance knee flexed

Question 22

circumduction

Answer 22

midswing - frontal
swings leg laterally to advance through swing
causes: hip flexion, knee flexion, or DF are inadequate on swing limb