Gait Disorders

Question 1

GaitFestinating

Answer 1

DescriptionPosture is stooped forward. Gait initiation is slow and steps are small and shuffling
Associated conditionsParkinson’s disease

Question 2

Ataxic gait

Answer 2

DescriptionGait is wide-based with truncal instability and irregular lurching steps which results in lateral veering and if severe, falling
Associated conditionsCerebellar disease, e.g. Wernicke’s

Question 3

Antalgic gait

Answer 3

DescriptionStance phase of gait is abnormally shortened relative to the swing phase, usually done to minimise pain
Associated conditionsLower limb trauma

Question 4

GaitSpastic (scissor or diplegic)

Answer 4

DescriptionRigidity and excessive adduction of the leg in swing , plantar flexion of the ankle, flexion at the knee, adduction and internal rotation at the hip, and contractures of all spastic muscles
Associated conditionsCerebral pals

Question 5

GaitSteppage (neuropathic or equine)

Answer 5

DescriptionHigh-stepping gait so as to prevent scraping of the toe on the ground
Associated conditionsFoot drop

Question 6

GaitMyopathic (waddling)

Answer 6

DescriptionA broad-based gait with a duck-like waddle to the swing phase, the pelvis drops to the side of the leg being raised with forward curvature of the lumbar spine, and a marked body swing. Associated conditionsProximal myopathy

Question 7

Pigeon gait

Answer 7

DescriptionToe(s) point(s) inwards when walking

Associated conditionsStructural abnormalities

Question 8

GaitTrendelenburg

Answer 8

DescriptionDuring the stance phase, the weakened abductor muscles allow the pelvis to tilt down on the opposite side. To compensate, the trunk lurches to the weakened side to attempt to maintain a level pelvis throughout the gait cycle
Associated conditionsPoliomyelitis or muscular dystrophy

Question 9

Stomping gait

Answer 9

DescriptionBilateral high steppage due to lack of proprioception
Associated conditionsFriedreich’s ataxia

Question 10

Magnetic gait

Answer 10

DescriptionFeet seem as if magnetically attracted to the floor
Associated conditionsNormal pressure hydrocephalus

Question 11

GaitChoreiform (hyperkinetic)

Answer 11

DescriptionIrregular, jerky, involuntary movements in all extremities. Walking may accentuate their baseline movement disorder
Associated conditionsSydenham chorea, Huntington’s

Question 12

Sensory gait

Answer 12

DescriptionIn an effort to know when the feet land and its location, the patient will slam the foot hard onto the ground in order to sense it
Associated conditionsproprioceptive loss e.g. diabetes, B12 deficiency

Question 13

GaitHemiplegic

Answer 13

DescriptionUnilateral weakness on the affected side, arm flexed, adducted and internally rotated. Leg on same side is in extension with plantar flexion of the foot and toes. When walking, the patient will hold his or her arm to one side and drags his or her affected leg in a semicircle (circumduction) due to weakness of leg flexors and extended foot
Associated conditionsStroke