GAIT & ITS EXAMINATION

THE POSTURE ONE ADDAPT ON WALKING OR STANDING

TYPES

ROMBERGS TEST 1. Stand with feet together and eyes open

Tests balance mechanism relying on cerebellar deficit: often find it difficult to

stand
2.

Close eyes
Tests balance mechanism relying on proprioceptive or vestibular deficit: balance

deteriorates on closing eyes HEEL-TOE (TANDEM) WALKING Tests balance mechanism relying on proprioceptive, vestibular or cerebellar deficit

DISORDERS OF GAIT

Hemiparesis drags affected leg stiffly, foot inverted and arm flexed at the side

Bilateral leg spasticity leans forward, legs adducted and walks stiffly on toes (equines)

Footdrop flexes hip to lift the foot off ground, foot slaps down noisily.

Parkinsonism slow to start walking and takes small strides. Tendency to walk faster or to suddenly freeze, failure to swing one or both arms and loss of postural reflexes if pushed from standing position

Cerebellar deficit (ataxia) broad based gait. Patient may sway from side to side and may fall or have to hold onto furniture or walls

Apraxia (e.g. hydrocephalus or multi-infarcts states) broad based, small stepping, unsteady gait and difficulty in turning