festinating gait

gait analysis evaluation of the manner or style of walking, usually done by observing the individual walking naturally in a straight line. The normal forward step consists of two phases: the stance phase, during which one leg and foot are bearing most or all of the body weight, and the swing phase, during which the foot is not touching the walking surface and the body weight is borne by the other leg and foot. In a complete two-step cycle both feet are in contact with the floor at the same time for about 25 per cent of the time. This part of the cycle is called the double-support phase.

An analysis of each component of the three phases of ambulation is an essential part of the diagnosis of various neurologic disorders and the assessment of patient progress during rehabilitation and recovery from the effects of a neurologic disease, a musculoskeletal injury or disease process, or amputation of a lower limb.

antalgic gait a limp adopted so as to avoid pain on weight-bearing structures, characterized by a very short stance phase.

ataxic gait an unsteady, uncoordinated walk, with a wide base and the feet thrown out, coming down first on the heel and then on the toes with a double tap.

double-step gait a gait in which there is a noticeable difference in the length or timing of alternate steps.

drag-to gait a gait in which the feet are dragged (rather than lifted) toward the crutches.

equine gait a walk accomplished mainly by flexing the hip joint; seen in crossed leg palsy.

festinating gait one in which the patient involuntarily moves with short, accelerating steps, often on tiptoe, with the trunk flexed forward and the legs flexed stiffly at the hips and knees. It is seen in parkinson's disease and other neurologic conditions that affect the basal ganglia. Called also festination.

four-point gait a gait in forward motion using crutches: first one crutch is advanced, then the opposite leg, then the second crutch, then the second leg, and so on.

gluteal gait the gait characteristic of paralysis of the gluteus medius muscle, marked by a listing of the trunk toward the affected side at each step.

helicopod gait a gait in which the feet describe half circles, as in some conversion disorders.

hemiplegic gait a gait involving flexion of the hip because of footdrop and circumduction of the leg.

intermittent double-step gait a hemiplegic gait in which there is a pause after the short step of the normal foot, or in some cases after the step of the affected foot.

Oppenheim's gait a gait marked by irregular oscillation of the head, limbs, and body; seen in some cases of multiple sclerosis.

scissors gait a crossing of the legs while advancing with slow, small steps.

spastic gait a walk in which the legs are held together and move in a stiff manner, the toes seeming to drag and catch.

steppage gait the gait in footdrop in which the advancing leg is lifted high in order that the toes may clear the ground. It is due to paralysis of the anterior tibial and fibular muscles, and is seen in lesions of the lower motor neuron, such as multiple neuritis, lesions of the anterior motor horn cells, and lesions of the cauda equina.

stuttering gait a walking disorder characterized by hesitancy that resembles stuttering; seen in some hysterical or schizophrenic patients as well as in patients with neurologic damage.

swing-through gait that in which the crutches are advanced and then the legs are swung past them.

swing-to gait that in which the crutches are advanced and the legs are swung to the same point.

tabetic gait an ataxic gait in which the feet slap the ground; in daylight the patient can avoid some unsteadiness by watching his feet.

three-point gait that in which both crutches and the affected leg are advanced together and then the normal leg is moved forward. See illustration at crutches.

two-point gait that in which the right foot and left crutch or cane are advanced together, and then the left foot and right crutch. See illustration at crutches.

waddling gait exaggerated alternation of lateral trunk movements with an exaggerated elevation of the hip, suggesting the gait of a duck; characteristic of muscular dystrophy.