Gait Cycle

Question 1

Center of gravity is located where usually?

Answer 1

Anterior of the S2 vertebrae

Question 2

Phases of gait

Answer 2

Stance phase: foot on ground

Swing phase: foot in air

Step: one foot to the other foot

Stride: one foot to same foot (two steps)

Question 3

Stance phase steps

Answer 3

Heel strike: initial contact of foot
(Double support)

Loading response: foot is flat

Midstance: 180 degree line

Terminal stance: heel if off ground

Preswing: toe is off ground
(Double support)

Question 4

Swing phase

Answer 4

Inital and mid swing: foot off ground and behind

Terminal swing: foot off ground and in front

Question 5

percentage of phases in walking

Answer 5

60%-65% of time is stance

35-40% of time is in swing

Question 6

Percentage in phases during running

Answer 6

40% of time in stance phase

30% of time is in swing phase

30% of time is in float phase

Question 7

Normal amount of movement in a lateral shift of the pelvis

Answer 7

1-2 inches

Question 8

Normal amount of movement in a vertical shift of the pelvis

Answer 8

1-2 inches

Question 9

Normal amount of movement in a pelvic rotation of the pelvis

Answer 9

8 degrees

Question 10

Parts of gait examination

Answer 10

Base width

Step length

Speed/cadence

Arm swing

Foot placement

Question 11

Normal base width

Answer 11

2-4 inches

Question 12

Normal step length

Answer 12

15 inches

Things that can change step length

• height
• being old
• Parkinson’s
• running

Question 13

Normal speed/cadence

Answer 13

3 mph and 90-120 steps/minute

Things that can change it

• running
• being old
• weaker muscles (adduction and abduction)
• arthritis

Question 14

Backward trunk lean (glut Maximus gait)

Answer 14

Usually caused by weak hip extensors and compensates for it

• also known as the extensor lurch
• suspect weakened hip extensors (especially gluteus Maximus)

Question 15

Drop of the pelvis contralateral stance leg w/ lean (trendelenburg)

Answer 15

Caused by weakness of gluteus medius muscle and in torn weakens the contralateral hip stabilizers

• Leans away from affect side
• suspect weakness of the gluteus medius or leg abductors

Question 16

Drop of pelvis in contralateral of stance leg with lean to the stance leg (compensated trendelenburg gait)

Answer 16

Caused by weak hip abductor muscles which in turn weakens the contralateral hip stabilizers

• leans towards affected side

Question 17

Lateral trunk lean towards stance leg (antalgic gait)

Answer 17

Usually caused by hip/ leg pain and causes reduced comprehensive joint forces to minimize the pain

• usually limps

Question 18

Hip external rotation through sing phase (circumduction)

Answer 18

Caused by weak hip flexors/dorsiflexiors which in turn shortens swing leg time

Question 19

Increased vertical excursion of the pelvis (hip hike)

Answer 19

Caused by weakness in foot dorsiflexors which results in shorten swing leg.

Question 20

Knee hyperextends (genu recurvatum)

Answer 20

Caused by weakness of quads and knee arthritis which causes hyperextension of knee and pain in quads when walking

Question 21

Hear slap, extreme hip flexion gait

Answer 21

Caused by dorsiflexion weakness which in turn functionally shortens the leg.

• always results in slapping of the foot on the ground

Question 22

Arthrogenic gait

Answer 22

Hip hiking and circumduction of the leg

Question 23

Ankle foot orthotics (AFO)

Answer 23

Used for treatment for foot drop and ankle instability

Question 24

Walking assistance devices

Answer 24

More prongs =. Better support

Go in the OPPOSITE hand of the affected lower limb
- done to increase base of balance

• cane handles are at the greater trochanter
• walker should be 10-12 inches ahead of patient and should have patient arms at 20 degrees of flexion