Gait

Question 1

Define gait

Answer 1

Mechanism by which the body is transported using coordinated movements of the lower limb joints

Question 2

5 components of a normal gait

Answer 2

Stability in stance
Foot clearance in swing
Prepositioning for initial contact
Adequate step length
Energy conservation

Question 3

Define gait cycle

Answer 3

Describes the period of time from initial contact to next initial contact on same side

Question 4

Define stride

Answer 4

Distance of IC of one leg to next IC of same leg

Question 5

Define step

Answer 5

Distance form IC of one leg to IC of other leg

Question 6

Define cadence

Answer 6

Number of steps per minute

Question 7

Describe the stance phase of the gait cycle

Answer 7

1- Initial contact - heel strike
2- Loading response
3- Mid stance - foot flat
4- Terminal stance - heel off
5- Pre swing - toe off

Question 8

Describe the swing phase of the gait cycle

Answer 8

1- initial swing
2- mid swing
3- terminal swing

Question 9

What does kinematics describe?

Answer 9

Describes motion

Question 10

Components of kinematics

Answer 10

Joint angles
Displacements
Velocities
Accelerations

Question 11

What does kinetics describe?

Answer 11

Describe the things that cause motion

• forces
• moments

Question 12

What is concentric muscle work?
What does it do?

Answer 12

Shortening of muscles
Acceleration / power generation

Question 13

What is eccentric muscle work?
What does it do?

Answer 13

Lengthening of muscle

Deceleration / power absorption

Question 14

What is isometric muscle work?
What does it do?

Answer 14

Muscle stays same length

Stability

Question 15

How to conserve energy in gait?

Answer 15

• Minimise excursion of centre of gravity - not moving up and down to much
• Control movement
• Transfer energy between body segments - arm swinging
• Phasic muscle action

Question 16

List the 7 pathological gaits

Answer 16

Antalgic
Trendelenburg’s gait
Hemiplegic
Diplegic
High steppage
Parkinsonian
Ataxic

Question 17

What is the name of a gait which attributes to limping?

Answer 17

Antalgic gait

Question 18

What is the impact on the affected leg in Antalgic gait?

Answer 18

Short stance phase
Lack body weight shift

Question 19

What is the impact on the unaffected leg in Antalgic gait?

Answer 19

Short swing phase

Question 20

What muscles experience weakness in Trendelenburg gait?

Answer 20

Hip ABductors - gluteus medius + minimus

Question 21

What does Trendelenburg gait look like?

Answer 21

Pelvis drop on unaffected side
Torso swings to affected side

Question 22

What is the impact on the affected leg in hemiplegic gait?

Answer 22

Circumduction - crescent shape

Question 23

What is the impact on the unaffected leg in hemiplegic gait?

Answer 23

Short step

Question 24

Effect of hemiplegic gait on upper limbs

Answer 24

Flexed upper limbs

Question 25

Effect of hemiplegic gait on lower limbs

Answer 25

Extended lower limbs

Question 26

What is hemiplegic gait due to?

Answer 26

Hemi-brain injury

e.g. stroke, cerebral palsy, trauma

Question 27

What muscle groups are tight in diplegic gait?

Answer 27

Psoas
ADductors
Hamstrings
Calf

Question 28

What is diplegic gait often seen in?

Answer 28

Cerebral palsy

Question 29

What part of the foot has initial contact in diplegic gait?

Answer 29

Forefoot initial contact

Question 30

What is the impact on the affected side of high steppage gait?

Answer 30

Excessive hip flexion
Toes hanging down
Foot slapping

Question 31

What is high steppage gait often due to?

Answer 31

Sciatica
Common peroneal nerve palsy
Neuromuscular disorders

Question 32

What is seen in Parkinsonian gait?

Answer 32

Hard to initiate movement - often leant forwards
Short step
Shuffling
No arm swing

Question 33

What is ataxic gait often described like?

Answer 33

Drunk like

Question 34

What does ataxic gait look like?

Answer 34

Broad based
Arms of balance
Uncoordinated

Question 35

What is ataxic gait due to?
(Not alcohol)

Answer 35

Cerebellar disorder