Assistive Devices - Gait Patterns

Question 1

gait patterns are determined by patient’s impairments

Answer 1

strength
balance
multi-limb coordination
weight bearing status 
endurance 
unilateral vs bilateral involvement

Question 2

gait patterns are determined by pt’s functional limitations

Answer 2

inability to ambulate on flat surfaces/stairs/ramps

enviromental constraints

Question 3

4 point gait is used for what

Answer 3

• long term
• bilateral weakness
• pain
• problems with balance/coordination

Question 4

4 point gait requirments

Answer 4

no weight bearing restrictions

Question 5

4 point gait equipment

Answer 5

2 crutches, 2 canes

Question 6

advantages of 4 point gait

Answer 6

• uses a reciprocal gait pattern
• stability
• safety
• low energy exposure
• somewhat similar to normal gait pattern

Question 7

disadvantages of 4 point gait

Answer 7

• complex tasks, requires multi-limb coordination

- slow

Question 8

4 point gait sequencing

Answer 8

• right crutch (good leg crutch)
• left foot (bad)
• left crutch
• right foot

Question 9

modified 4 point gait indications

Answer 9

• bilateral weakness
• pain
• problems with balance

Question 10

modified 4 point gait advantages

Answer 10

• uses a reciprocal gait pattern
• stability
• safety
• low energy exposure

Question 11

modified 4 point gait disadvantages

Answer 11

• complex task, requires multi-limb coordination

- slow

Question 12

modified 4 point gait sequencing

Answer 12

• crutch
• contralateral foot (bad foot first)
• ipsilateral foot

Question 13

what side does you crutch/cane go on

Answer 13

• uninvolved side

- good side

Question 14

what can you use with 3 point gait

Answer 14

walker or 2 crutches

Question 15

3 point gait indications

Answer 15

• one non weight bearing LE
• good upper body strength
• one unaffected LE strength

Question 16

3 point gait requirement

Answer 16

• one FWB limb

- good thrunk and UE strength

Question 17

3 point gait advantages

Answer 17

• can use with non-weight bearing LE

- can be relatively fast, especially with crutches

Question 18

3 point gait disadvantages

Answer 18

• mod complex
• high energy exposure
• less stable
• not similar to normal gait pattern
• requires functional UE strength

Question 19

3 point gait sequencing

Answer 19

• both crutches/walker forward
• keep involved leg off ground
• stronger extremity moved forward while placing body weight on arms

Question 20

modified 3 point gait equipment

Answer 20

walker and 2 crutches

Question 21

modified 3 point gait indications

Answer 21

• one FWB LE
• other LE must be at least TTWB
• good UE trunk strength

Question 22

modified 3 point gait requirements

Answer 22

• one FWB limb

- good trunk and UE strength

Question 23

modified 3 point gait advantages

Answer 23

• can use with partial or TTWB

- allows involved LE to function actively and bear weight

Question 24

modified 3 point gait disadvantages

Answer 24

• mod complex
• high energy expense
• less stable
• requires functional UE strength

Question 25

2 point gait indications

Answer 25

- bilateral weakness - pain - problems with balance - no weight bearing precautions

Question 26

2 point gait requirements

Answer 26

- no weight bearing precautions on either extremity

Question 27

2 point gait equipment

Answer 27

two crutches or 2 canes

Question 28

2 point gait advantages

Answer 28

- safety - low energy exposure - more similar to normal gait pattern - faster than 4 point gait

Question 29

2 point gait disadvantages

Answer 29

- less stability than 4 point | - complex task, requires multi-limb coordination

Question 30

2 point gait sequencing

Answer 30

1. right crutch and left foot | 2. left crutch and right foot

Question 31

modified 2 point gait indications

Answer 31

- unilateral weakness - pain - problems with balance - no WB restrictions

Question 32

modified 2 pt gait advantages

Answer 32

- more similar to normal gait pattern | - faster than 4 point gait

Question 33

modified 2 point gait disadvantages

Answer 33

- less stability than 4 pt and 2 pt gait, though stability improves with walker

Question 34

swing to gait

Answer 34

- bear weight on good leg - advance both crutches forward simultaneously - lean forward while swinging body to a position even with crutches

Question 35

swing through

Answer 35

- bear weight on good leg - advance both crutches forward simultaneously - lift legs off ground and swing forward landing in advance of the crutches

Question 36

ascending stairs

Answer 36

- step up good leg - bring bad leg up - bring crutches up

Question 37

descending stairs

Answer 37

- assistive device down on step - bad leg down first - followed with good

Question 38

guarding going up

Answer 38

- stand behind individual | - staggered stance, feet not on same step

Question 39

guarding going down stairs

Answer 39

- stand in front of individual | - staggered stance, feet not on same step

Question 40

if you have the option, what side should the railing of the stairs be?

Answer 40

uninvoled side

Question 41

sequence of ascending a curb with a walker

Answer 41

- place walker on curb - good leg up first - bad leg follows

Question 42

descending a curb with a walker

Answer 42

- walker first - bad leg down first - followed by good leg

Question 43

in ascending a curb with crutches, what happens first

Answer 43

- good leg up first - bad leg - crutches

Question 44

in descending a curb with crutches what happens

Answer 44

- crutches - bad leg - good leg

Question 45

transitions into and out of a chair with crutches

Answer 45

- hand on chair on side of involved leg - other hand on both crutches together - push down and stand

Question 46

when guarding what side should the therapist stand on

Answer 46

on the involved leg side