Gait

Question 1

Q: What is the definition of the Gait Cycle?

Answer 1

A: A series of rhythmical, alternating movements of the trunk and limbs that result in the forward progression of the center of gravity.

Question 2

Q: What is another common description for normal gait?

Answer 2

A: A series of “controlled falls”.

Question 3

Q: How is Gait Cycle defined relative to a single limb?

Answer 3

A: A single sequence of functions by one limb, beginning when the reference foot contacts the ground and ending when the same foot subsequently contacts the floor.

Question 4

Q: What is Step Length?

Answer 4

A: The distance between corresponding successive points of heel contact of the opposite feet.

Question 5

Q: What is Stride Length?

Answer 5

A: The distance between successive points of heel contact of the same foot. In normal gait, it’s double the step length.

Question 6

Q: What is Cadence and its normal range?

Answer 6

A: The number of steps per unit time. Normal range is 100−115 steps/min.

Question 7

Q: What is the location of the body’s Center of Mass (COM) in a standing adult?

Answer 7

A: Central sagittal location, anterior to the 2nd sacral vertebra. It is lower in a child, reaching the adult conformation by approximately 4 years old.

Question 8

Q: What are the proportions of the Stance Phase and Swing Phase in a gait cycle?

Answer 8

A: Stance is 60% and Swing is 40%.

Question 9

Q: What are the three main periods of the Stance Phase?

Answer 9

A: Contact (27%), Midstance (40%), and Propulsion (33%).

Question 10

Q: Which muscles are active at Heel Strike?

Answer 10

A: Anterior leg muscles (dorsiflexors). Gastrocnemius and Posterior Tibial muscles start to fire at the end of the phase.

Question 11

Q: What is the movement of the Subtalar Joint (STJ) at Heel Strike?

Answer 11

A: The STJ is supinated upon contact and begins to pronate when the heel hits the ground.

Question 12

Q: What key muscle action occurs during Midstance?

Answer 12

A: The Soleus slows/controls ankle dorsiflexion, and the Gastrocnemius protects the knee from hyperextension.

Question 13

Q: What is the movement of the STJ leading into Propulsion?

Answer 13

A: The STJ is starting to resupinate in preparation for push off.

Question 14

Q: What is the main muscle action during the Propulsion period (Heel Lift/Toe Off)?

Answer 14

A: Gastrocnemius and Soleus actively plantarflex the ankle.

Question 15

Q: What are the classic Determinants of Gait (movements that minimize COM displacement)?

Answer 15

A: Pelvic rotation, pelvic tilt, knee flexion in stance, ankle rocker, and lateral pelvic displacement.

Question 16

Q: What causes a Trendelenburg Sign in gait?

Answer 16

A: Weak hip abductors (Gluteus medius and minimus) , resulting in a contralateral hip drop.

Question 17

Q: What is Steppage Gait (Neuropathic Gait)? What are its common causes?

Answer 17

A: A gait caused by loss of foot dorsiflexors , requiring the patient to lift the leg higher (steppage) to clear the ground. Common causes include peroneal nerve damage or L5 radiculopathy.

Question 18

Q: What are the key features of Parkinsonian Gait?

Answer 18

A: Rigidity and bradykinesia , leading to a stooped posture, shuffling gait (marche a petits pas) with festination, and en bloc turns.

Question 19

Q: What causes Hemiplegic Gait and what is its appearance?

Answer 19

A: Unilateral weakness of UE and LE (most commonly due to stroke). The leg shows extension hypertonia with steppage and circumduction, while the arm shows flexion hypertonia.

Question 20

Q: What is the underlying cause and appearance of Ataxic Gait?

Answer 20

A: Dysfunction of the cerebellum (vermis for truncal control, hemispheres for appendicular control). It presents with a “wide base of gait” and a “drunken appearance” with falls.

Question 21

Q: What is Diplegic Gait?

Answer 21

A: Bilateral spasticity (like hemiplegic but bilateral) , primarily affecting the LE (e.g., Cerebral Palsy). Tight hip adductors can cause a scissoring pattern.

Question 22

Q: What is a feature of Proprioceptive (Sensory) Gait?

Answer 22

A: Inability to stand with eyes closed (Romberg sign). This pattern is sometimes referred to as a stomping gait.

Question 23

Q: What is Choreiform Gait?

Answer 23

A: Gait caused by basal ganglia disorders (e.g., Huntington’s) , characterized by jerky, random, involuntary movements in all extremities (chorea).