gait 2

Question 2

what does the assessment of a gait problem involve?

Answer 2

• **subjective **- history taking etc
  * observe person in standing - barefoot, looking at lower limb alignment (ie looking for assymetry), posture
• **observe walking **- looking at it from different views (anterior, posterior), different speeds, with different devices etc
• **objective assessment **- range of motion, strength and special tests

Question 3

why should we measure gait speed & what is the normal gait speed?

Answer 3

• gait speed is a general indicator of a neuromusculoskeletal and CVS health

Question 4

how do we systematically look at the gait?

Answer 4

• look at ecah individual joint
• consider all planes of movement - sagittal (flexion / extension), coronal (abduction/adduction), transverse

Question 5

what are key points to observe during each subphase of the gait cycle?

Answer 5

1. initial contact - hip and knee
2. loading response - knee flexion and ankle PF
3. mid stance - knee extended
4. terminal stance - ankle DF, heel raise, hip extension
5. pre swing - ankle PF
6. mid swing - ankle DF, knee flexion
7. terminal swing - ankle DF, knee extension

Question 6

if there is a pathology present, how will the body react to this in gait?

Answer 6

• the body is highly adaptable, it will learn the most appropriate biomechnical strategy for dealing with the disruption
• ie it will compensate and its not always obvious

Question 7

what are the golden rules for gait analysis?

Answer 7

• dont be swayed by the most obvious deviation at first glance
• observe the movements of all the joints and consider the contribution of each
• gait analysis = gait assessment and clinical assessment
• measure more, assume less