Visual gait analysis

Walk minimum 8m with different speed. It is simplest

gait analysis but has serious limitations

1- transitory, no permanent record

2- eye can not observe high speed events
3- possible to observe the motion not the force
4- depend on the skills of the observer.
 The best viewpoint for observation of
gait abnormality

Side view : anterior and posterior trunk bending,

increased lumbar lordosis, steppage, excessive knee
flexion and extension, vaulting, insufficient push
off and dorsiflexion control .

Front and behind view : circumduction, hip

hiking, vaulting, abnormal foot contact , hip
rotation and walking base
Anterior trunk bending
Posterior trunk bending
 Videotape examinations

Overcome two of the visual limitations,

1- transitory, no permanent record
2- eye can not observe high speed events
And confer the following advantages
3- reduce the number of walk the subjects need to do
4- show subjects how they are walking
5- used to teach visual gait analysis to someone else
General gait parameters
Cadence : no of steps/known period time. 10-15
sec is enough time
Stride length by direct measurement (foot print)
or indirect from velocity and cadence
Step length, walking base, toe out angle, foot
contact pattern.
Foot print ( water , talcum powder, and felt
adhesive pads soaked in different colored dye
and a stripe of paper )
 Velocity : distance/time .( 6*10 m ) are enough
The subject should be to walk at their natural speed and
their stride before measurements

Foot switches : to record timing of gait

Electrogoniometer
 Electromyography

Force platform : with size 45X60cm

3D motion analysis system

khaled-ayad@hotmail.com
 Walking aids
Waling aids modify the gait pattern
Reduce pain in painful joint
Increased the functions
Gait training (underwater, between parallel bars,
use assistive devices )
 Canes
Canes are the means of forces transmitted to
ground by the wrist and hand
They are used for the following purposes
1- to improve stability
2- to generate moment (on the opposed side )
3- to take part of the load from the leg
 Types of canes
Straight cane
Tripod canes
Tetrapod canes
L shape handle
U shape handle
Angular shaped handle
Adjustable in height
 Crutches
They differ from canes, because they able to
transmit significant force in the horizontal plane
Types of crutches
Axillary crutches, may add plateform
Forearm crutches or elbow crutches
Ortho crutches
 Walkers (rollators)
The most stable walking aids
Types
1- regular walkers
2- adjustable walkers
3- folded walker
4- rolling walker
5- walker with plateform for forearm support
6- reciprocal walker
 Gait pattern with walking aids
Gait with single aid
Three point swing through gait
Three point swing to gait (the feet are advanced
by a much shorter distance and placed behind
the level of crutches)
Four point gait
Three point gait
Two point gait
 Planning for gait training
1- safety measures
Gait belt
Dry surface
Slippers or shoes
Therapist beside the affect side
Turning around the good leg
2- point to start with
According to static and dynamic balance, starts from easy
to hardest

Underwater
Use parallel bars
Walker
Crutches
Canes
Independent
3- Weight bearing status
NWB
TTWB
PWB
WBAT
FWB

4- Mental status: good level of awareness and

orientation to understand the instructions
5- Preparing for the treatment area
Usage mirror
Draw line on the floor in case of dynamic
balance
Decide the distance of walking
The level of the surface
 Amputee gait
The mechanical coupling between the stump
and the prosthetic limb can not be good as in
the normal because
1- the lever arm between the hip and the socket is
small
2- the relative motion between the stump and the
socket
3- uncomfortable socket prevent applying large
forces on the prosthetic limb
 Up and down stairs
Up with good leg first and down with the affected
one
With cane , Up with good leg first then cane then
the affected one and vise versa going down
The same with the crutches