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Submitted to: Dr. Maimoona

W H AT I S T H E R O L E O F H I P J O I N T I N G A I T C Y C L E A N D
HOW IT AFFECTS THE GAIT CYCLE? Submitted by: Rimsha
DPT Fourth Professional Year
THE GAIT CYCLE
During normal gait cycle, the hip goes through
• 40% of flexion and extension ROM (10° extension at terminal stance to 30° flexion
at midswing and initial contact.
• Lateral pelvic tilt an hip abduction/adduction of 15° (10° adduction at initial
contact, 5° abduction at initial swing)
• Hip internal/external rotation along with pelvic rotation totaling 15° transverse
plane motion (peak internal rotation at the time of loading, peak external rotation at
the end of midswing)

Loss of any of these motions affects the smoothness of the gait pattern.
HIP MUSCLE FUNCTION AND
GAIT
• Hip Flexors: They control hip extension at the end of stance and then contract
concentrically to initiate swing. With loss of flexor function, a posterior lurch of the
trunk to initiate swing may be seen.
•Hip Extensors: They control the flexor moment during the loading response, and the
gluteus maximus initiates hip extension. With loss of extensor function, a posterior
lurch of the trunk occurs at foot contact to shift the center of gravity of the trunk
posterior to the hip.
• Hip Abductors: They control the lateral pelvic tilt during swinging of the opposite
leg.
EFFECTS OF
MUSCULOSKELETAL
IMPAIRMENTS ON GAIT
The alignment of the bone and joint are changed through deformities and therefore
alter the mechanics of gait.
Painful conditions also cause antalgic gait patterns which subsequently decrease
stance time on the painful side to avoid the stress of weight bearing.