Gait

Question 1

Define the gait cycle

Answer 1

The point of initial contact of one lower extremity to the point of initial contact of the same lower extremity

Question 2

What are the 2 phases of the gait cycle?

Answer 2

Stance and Swing Phase

Question 3

Stance phase accounts for __% of the gait cycle whereas swing phase accounts for __%.

Answer 3

60

40

Question 4

What is the difference between the walking and running gait?

Answer 4

When running there is no double support phase

Question 5

What are the 5 phases of the stance phase?

Answer 5

1) heel strike (initial contact)
2) flat foot (loading response)
3) midstance
4) heel off (terminal stance)
5) toe off (pre-swing)

Question 6

Define ground reaction force

Answer 6

the force exerted by the ground on a body in contact with it

Question 7

3 types of ground reaction forces

Answer 7

• vertical force
• anterior-posterior force
• mediolateral force

Question 8

What does the vertical force equal and why?

Answer 8

1.2 times the body weight, because it must be greater in order to accelerate

Question 9

What is the anterior-posterior force?

Answer 9

The force that is overcoming the friction force in order to keep momentum going forward

Question 10

What does mediolateral force allow for?

Answer 10

greater balance (not required for normal gait)

Question 11

Describe the ground reaction forces of the gait of someone with the loss of abductor function (weak glute med)

Answer 11

Increased vertical force
Decreased AP force
Increased M-L force

Question 12

Describe the gluteus medius role in gait

Answer 12

It eccentrically contracts to control the pelvis at midstance

Question 13

Describe the gluteus maximus role in gait

Answer 13

In concentrically contracts to power hip extension

Question 14

Describe the ilipsoas role in gait

Answer 14

It concentrically contracts to power hip flexion

Question 15

Describe the hip adductors role in gait

Answer 15

They concentrically contract to control lateral sway in late stance

Question 16

Describe the quadriceps role in gait

Answer 16

It eccentrically contracts to stabilize the knee at heel strike

Question 17

Describe the hamstrings role in gait

Answer 17

Eccentrically contract to control knee extension in swing phase

Question 18

Describe the tibialis anterior’s 2 roles in gait

Answer 18

Concentrically contracts to dorsiflex the ankle during swing phase
Eccentrically contract to releases foot slowly to allow foot flat during heel strike

Question 19

Describe the gastrocnemius role in gait

Answer 19

Concentrically contracts to pus off during preswing

Question 20

Describe the soleus role in gait

Answer 20

Eccentrically contracts to inhibit the tibia from going forward during midstance to terminal stance

Question 21

Decreased hip flexion during gait is compensated how?

Answer 21

by circumducting at the hip

Question 22

If you have weak dorsiflexors what type of gait abnormality can you expect?

Answer 22

Slappage/steppage (severe case)

Question 23

If you have weak hip abductors what type of gait abnormality can you expect?

Answer 23

Trendelenburg gait
- lateral trunk lean towards side of weakness in order to maintain the body’s COG over the weak side during the stance phase

Question 24

If you have weak plantarflexors what type of gait abnormality can you expect?

Answer 24

weak pushoff

Question 25

If you have weak hip extensors what type of gait abnormality can you expect?

Answer 25

lurching

Question 26

Why do women tend to have less push off and shorter stride length then men?

Answer 26

Their calcaneus are tilted medially (calcaneal valgus) which leads to pronation so they cannot transfer weight from the calcaneus to the great toe

Question 27

Describe antalgic gait

Answer 27

The stance phase is shortened on the affected side and lengthened on the unaffected side

Question 28

Common causes of antalgic gait

Answer 28

OA, fractures, tendinitis

Question 29

4 common compensations of Functional Leg-Length Discrepancy

Answer 29

1) Circumduction
2) Hip hiking
3) Steppage
4) Vaulting

Question 30

If a patient has inadequate dorsiflexion control due to a weak tibialis anterior or spastic plantarflexors, what gait abnormalities will occur during the stance and swing phases?

Answer 30

During the stance phase the foot will slap the floor. During the swing phase the tow will drag on the floor.

Question 31

What is Genu recurvatum?

Answer 31

hyperextension deformity of knee

Question 32

What are 3 common causes of excessive knee extension

Answer 32

• Quadriceps weakness (mid-stance)
• Quadriceps spasticity (mid-stance)
• Knee flexor weakness

Question 33

Babies that used baby walkers tend to have weakened what?

Answer 33

dorsiflexion power