Abnormal Gait Observations & Interventions

Question 1

What are the 3 basic approaches used in observing/evaluating gait?

Answer 1

1. subdivide cycle according to reciprocal floor contact
2. identify the functional phases
3. use time and distance qualities of stride

Question 2

Name some reasons why someone might have pathological gait:

Answer 2

• pain
• ROM limitation
• muscular weakness/paralysis
• neurological involvement
• leg length discrepancy

Question 3

What is the term for pathological gait due to pain?

Answer 3

antalgic gait

Question 4

What is the term for pathological gait due to cerebellar dysfunction?

Answer 4

ataxic gait

Question 5

What is the term for pathological gait due to loss of kinesthetic sensation?

Answer 5

stomping gait

Question 6

Muscular paralysis resulting in pathologic gait can result in what 2 problems?

Answer 6

spastic & flaccid

Question 7

Spastic gait due to muscular paralysis results in what gait deviations?

Answer 7

circumduction gait, scissoring gait, paralytic gait

Question 8

Flaccid gait due to muscular paralysis results in what gait deviations?

Answer 8

lurching gait, waddling gait, foot drop

Question 9

Toe walking gait is known as:

Answer 9

equinus gait

Question 10

Club foot gait is a developmental condition and also known as:

Answer 10

equinovarus gait

Question 11

Calcaneal gait results in the absence of ____, which are for propulsion and energy concervation

Answer 11

rockers

Question 12

Forefoot contact causes a decrease in ______ & _____. This can be due to what 4 reasons?

Answer 12

heel rocker, shock absorption;

pretibial weakness, PF contracture, heel pain, short leg

Question 13

Flat foot contact causes a decrease in ______ & ______. This can be due to what 2 reasons?

Answer 13

heel rocker, decreased forward progression;

weak quads, any impairment causing excess knee flexion

Question 14

Foot slap is uncontrollable PF at the ankle following ___, usually audible slap. This creates a decrease in ____, ____, _____. This is due to what?

Answer 14

IC; heel rocker, forward progression, shock absorption;

anterior tib weakness

Question 15

Excess plantar flexion causes a decrease ____ in stance, decreased _____ in swing. This is due to what 3 reasons?

Answer 15

rockers, foot clearance;

PF contracture, pretibial weakness, ankle pain

Question 16

What is excess inversion due to?

Answer 16

over-activity of inverting muscles,
equinovarus contraction,
skeletal deformity

Question 17

What is excess eversion is due to?

Answer 17

during SLS it unlocks the midfoot & causes decreased heel off & forward progression

Question 18

What 3 phases of gait are affected by decreased knee flexion?

Answer 18

LR, PSw, Isw

Question 19

What does decreased knee flexion result in during LR?

Answer 19

decreased shock absorption, less demand on quads

Question 20

What does decreased knee flexion result in during Psw and Isw?

Answer 20

decreased foot clearance

Question 21

What is the result of decreased knee flexion (not observable results)?

Answer 21

quad weakness, quad/PF spasticity, knee pain, decreased proprioception

Question 22

What are the observable gait deviations due to decreased knee flexion?

Answer 22

vaulting, pelvic hiking, circumduction

Question 23

What is the functional significance of knee hyperextension (recurvatum)?

Answer 23

LR, Mst, Tst, reduces demand of quads & results in decreased forward progression

Question 24

What does knee hyperextension cause?

Answer 24

quad weak (LR), quad & PF weak (SLS), severe plantar flexion contracture

Question 25

What is the functional significance of extensor thrust?

Answer 25

decreased shock absorption, decreased forward progression

Question 26

What results from extensor thrust?

Answer 26

PF weak, knee flex contracture, HS contracture, knee pain

Question 27

What 4 phases of gait are affected by excessive knee flexion?

Answer 27

LR, Mst, Tst, Tsw

Question 28

What is the functional significance of excess knee flexion>

Answer 28

increase demands of quads

Question 29

What results in excess knee flexion?

Answer 29

PF weakness, knee flexion contracture, HS contracture, knee pain

Question 30

What is the functional significance of excess hip flexion?

Answer 30

causes more demand on hip extension & quads in stance

Question 31

What results in excess hip flexion?

Answer 31

hip flexion contracture, hip flexion spasticity, hip pain, patterned movement (synergy)

Question 32

What 4 phases of gait are affected by limited hip flexion?

Answer 32

LR, Isw, Msw, Tsw

Question 33

What is the functional significance of limited hip flexion?

Answer 33

decreased step length with swing

Question 34

What results from limited hip flexion?

Answer 34

weak hip flexion, synergy, hip pain, foot drag

Question 35

Pelvic hike occurs during what phase of gait?

Answer 35

swing

Question 36

What is the functional significance of pelvic hike?

Answer 36

assists with foot clearance, causes increased energy expenditure

Question 37

What results from pelvic hike?

Answer 37

limited knee flexion in Isw, limited hip flex, Msw, excess PF during Msw

Question 38

What is the functional significance of pelvic drop?

Answer 38

increase length of opposite limb, decreased stance stability

Question 39

What results from pelvic drop?

Answer 39

ipsilateral hip abduction weakness

Question 40

What is the functional significance of trunk backward lean?

Answer 40

in stance adds hip stability, in swing aids with advancing thigh

Question 41

What results from trunk backward lean?

Answer 41

compensate weak hip ext in stance, compensate weak hip flexion in swing

Question 42

What is the functional significance of trunk forward lean?

Answer 42

in stance adds knee stability, increase energy, provides passive knee ext force by placing the body vector anterior to knee

Question 43

What results from trunk forward lean?

Answer 43

quad weakness, hip extensor weakness, use of AD