ABNORMAL Gait

Hemiplegic Gait Demonstration:

The patient has unilateral weakness and spasticity with the upper extremity
held in flexion and the lower extremity in extension. The foot is in extension so
the leg is "too long" therefore, the patient will have to circumduct or swing the
leg around to step forward. This type of gait is seen with a UMN lesion.
ABNORMAL Gait
Diplegic Gait Demonstration:

The patient has spasticity in the lower extremities greater than the
upper extremities. The hips and knees are flexed and adducted with the
ankles extended and internally rotated. When the patient walks both
lower extremities are circumducted and the upper extremities are held
in a mid or low guard position. This type of gait is usually seen with
bilateral periventricular lesions.
 ABNORMAL Gait
Neuropathic Gait Demonstration

This type of gait is most often seen in peripheral nerve disease where the
distal lower extremity is most affected. Because the foot dorsiflexors are weak,
the patient has a high stepping gait in an attempt to avoid dragging the toe on
the ground.
 ABNORMAL Gait
Myopathic Gait Demonstration

With muscular diseases, the proximal pelvic girdle muscles are usually the
most weak. Because of this the patient will not be able to stabilize the pelvis as
they lift their leg to step forward, so the pelvis will tilt toward the non-weight
bearing leg which results in a waddle type of gait.
 ABNORMAL Gait

Parkinsonian Gait Demonstration

This type of gait is seen with rigidity and hypokinesia from basal ganglia
disease. The patient's posture is stooped forward. Gait initiation is slow and
steps are small and shuffling.
 ABNORMAL Gait

Choreiform Gait Demonstration

This is a hyperkinetic gait seen with certain types of basal ganglia disorders.
There is intrusion of irregular, jerky, involuntary movements in both the upper
and lower extremities.
 ABNORMAL Gait
Ataxic Gait Demonstration

The patient's gait is wide-based with truncal instability and irregular lurching
steps which results in lateral veering and if severe, falling. This type of gait is
seen in midline cerebellar disease. It can also be seen with severe lose of
proprioception (sensory ataxia).
ABNORMAL Gait
Hemiplegic Gait

This girl has a right hemiparesis. Note how she holds her right upper
extremity flexed at the elbow and the hand with the thumb tucked
under the closed fingers (this is "cortical fisting"). There is
circumduction of the right lower extremity.
ABNORMAL Gait
Diplegic Gait

This man has an UMN lesion affecting both lower extremities. He has
spasticity and weakness of the legs and uses a walker to steady himself.
There is bilateral circumduction of the lower extremities.
ABNORMAL Gait
Neuropathic Gait

This girl has weakness of the distal right lower extremity so she can't
dorsiflex her foot. In order to walk she has to lift her right leg higher
then the left to clear the foot and avoid dragging her toes on the
ground.
ABNORMAL Gait
Myopathic Gait

This young boy has pelvic girdle weakness, which produces a waddling
type of gait. Note the lumbar hyperlordosis with the shoulders thrust
backwards and the abdomen being protuberant. This posture places the
center of gravity behind the hips so the patient doesn't fall forward
because of weak back and hip extensors.
ABNORMAL Gait
Parkinsonian Gait

This man's gait is brady kinetic and his steps are smaller then usual.
There is also the pill-rolling tremor in his hands. He turns enbloc and
there is decreased facial expression.
ABNORMAL Gait
Choreiform Gait

Note the involuntary, irregular, jerky movements of this woman's body

and extremities, especially on the right side. There are also choreiform
movements of the face. A lot of her movements have a writhing, snake-
like quality to them, which could be called choreo athetoisis.
ABNORMAL Gait
Ataxic Gait

This woman's gait is wide-based and unsteady. She has to use a walker or
hold on to someone in order to maintain her balance (note how hard
she has to work with the hand that she's holding on with in order to
maintain her balance). Her ataxia is even more apparent when she tries
to turn.