Gait and gait abnormalities

2. Gait is the pattern of movement of the limbs of
animals, including humans, during locomotion over
a solid substrate.
Gait abnormality is a deviation from normal
walking (gait). Watching a patient walk is the most
important part of the neurological examination.
Normal gait requires that many systems, including
strength, sensation and coordination, function in an
integrated fashion. Many common problems in the
nervous system and musculoskeletal system will
show up in the way a person walks.

3. Stages of normal gait

4. Distribution of weight in a normal gait

5. GAIT ABNORMALITIES
Scissor gait :- Spastic cerebral palsy(UMN
lesion).
Rigidity & excessive adduction of the leg in swing
Plantar flexion of the ankle
Flexion at the knee
Adduction & internal rotation at the hip
Progressive contractures of all muscles
Complicated assisted movements of the upper
limb

6. Conditions associated with a
scissor gait
Arthrogryposis
Spastic diplegia
Pernicious anaemia
Cervical spondylosis with myelopathy
Multiple sclerosis

7. Antalgic gait:- the stance phase of the gait is
abnormality shortened relative to the swing
phase. It can be a good indication of pain with
weight bearing.
Coxalgia
Osteoarthritis
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Trauma

8. Festinant gait :- small shuffling steps and a
general slowness of the movements. Commonly
seen in Parkinson disease.
Trendelenburg gait :- caused by weakness of
abductor muscles of the lower limb( Gluteus
medius & minimus). During the stance phase,
the weakened abductor muscle allow the pelvis
to tilt down to the opposite side. To
compensate, the trunk lurches to the weakened
side to attempt to maintain a level pelvis
through out the gait cycle.

9. Magnetic gait :- feet seem attached to the floor
by a magnet. Here each step is initiated in a
wrestling motion carrying feet forward and
upward. Seen in normal pressure
hydrocephalous.
Myopathic gait/ waddling gait :- due to the
weakness of the proximal muscles of the pelvic
girdle. The patient uses circumduction to
compensate for the gluteal weakness.
Pregnancy
CDH

10. High stepping gait :- seen in deep peroneal
nerve injury. Associated with loss of
dorsiflexion.
Polio
Multiple sclerosis
Guillain barre
Peroneal nerve injury

11. THANK YOU