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Common Types of Gait Abnormalities

Gait Patterns

The pattern of how you walk is called your gait. Many different diseases and conditions can affect your gait and lead to problems with walking. 

A physical therapist can evaluate each individual phase of the gait cycle and work with people to improve their walking and help improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.

Types of gait

  • Hemiplegic gait — typical in stroke patients, the leg on the affected side is extended and internally rotated and is swung in a wide arc rather than lifted to walk.  
  • Parkinsonian or propulsive gait — a stooped, stiff posture with the head and neck bent forward typical in people with Parkinson’s disease. 
    Physical therapists encourage stroke and Parkinson’s patients to stay active and get exercise therapy. It is especially important to allow plenty of time for walking because these people have problems with balance. Assistive devices like canes and walkers can help prevent falls.
  • Diplegic or scissors gait — legs are flexed at the hips and knees bent, with the knees and thighs hitting or crossing in a scissors-like movement typical in people with spastic cerebral palsy.
    Physical therapists can provide leg braces and in-shoe splints as well as exercise therapy for these patients. Because of the loss of sensation, regular foot inspection for sores is needed. In some cases, medications like muscle relaxers can help.
  • Ataxic or spastic gait — a stiff, foot-dragging walk caused by a long muscle contraction on one side common in people with nerve damage from conditions such as polio and multiple sclerosis.
    Physical therapists encourage exercise, as well as leg braces and in-shoe splints to stabilize the foot for standing and walking. People with poor balance should use a cane or a walker. In some cases, medications like muscle relaxers can help.
  • Neuropathic or steppage gait — foot drop where the foot hangs with the toes pointing down, causing the toes to drag on the ground while walking.
    Physical therapists recommend rest since fatigue can increase the risk of tripping and falling. Some people might benefit from leg braces and in-shoe splints to help stabilize the foot for standing and walking.
  • Myopathic or waddling gait — weakness in the pelvis causes shifting in hips to maintain balance, typical in childhood, pregnancy and in people with muscular dystrophy.

Resources


Posted: 05/08/2013; Revised: 06/21/21. 
As a service to our readers, American Bone Health provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of the last review on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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