Gait Analysis

Question 1

What are all the parts of the stance phase?

Answer 1

• Initial contact (heel strike)
• Load response (foot flat)
• Mid-stance (single-leg stance)
• Terminal stance (heel off)
• Pre-swing (toe off)

Question 2

What are all the parts of the swing phase

Answer 2

• Initial swing (acceleration) - rapid knee flexion & ankle dorsiflexion
• Midswing
• Terminal swing (deceleration)

Question 3

What is the normal gait cadence?

Answer 3

90-120 steps/minute

Question 4

What is the normal base width?

Answer 4

5-10 cm (2-4 in.)

Question 5

As pace increases, stride length ___

Answer 5

Increases

Question 6

As pace increases, toe out angle ___

Answer 6

Decreases

Question 7

When observing gait, the patient should be ___ and wearing ___ and ___

Answer 7

• Barefoot
• Shorts
• Gown

Question 8

What should you look for when observing gait?

Answer 8

• Stride length
• Step frequency
• Time of swing
• Speed of walking (normal/slow/fast/change affect?)
• Duration of complete walking cycle
• See lumbar, pelvis, hips, knees, feet, ankles
• Check footwear
• Check for callus, blisters, corns, bunions

Question 9

What should you look for when observing gait in the anterior view?

Answer 9

• Weight loading period
• Abduction/circumduction (swinging)
• Atrophy
• Base width
• Toe angle (5-18 degree) - Fick’s
• Lateral pelvic tilt
• Sideways sway trunk
• Pelvics rotation - horizontal
• Trunk & pelvis rotate opposite (180 degrees –> balance control speed)

Question 10

What should you look for when observing gait in the lateral view?

Answer 10

• Lumbar lordosis
• Limitation of flexion and extension of hip
• Knee hyperextension
• Hip movement
• Coordination of movement (hip/knee/ankle)
• Even/uneven gait, duration of steps

Question 11

What should you look for when observing gait in the posterior view?

Answer 11

• Weight unloading period
• Heel rise equal?
• Heels turn in or out
• Lateral movement of spine
• Check musculature (back, buttocks, post. thigh, calf)