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Walking abnormalities
Alternate Names : Gait abnormalities
Definition
Walking abnormalities are unusual and uncontrollable walk patterns, usually caused by diseases or injuries to the legs, feet, brain, spine, or inner ear.
Overview & Considerations
The pattern of how a person walks is called their gait. Many different types of walking abnormalities are produced unconsciously. Most, but not all, are due to some physical condition. Some walking abnormalities are so characteristic that they have been given descriptive names: - Propulsive gait -- a stooped, rigid posture, with the head and neck bent forward
- Scissors gait -- legs flexed slightly at the hips and knees, giving the appearance of crouching, with the knees and thighs hitting or crossing in a scissors-like movement
- Spastic gait -- a stiff, foot-dragging walk caused by one-sided, long-term, muscle contraction
- Steppage gait -- foot drop where the foot hangs with the toes pointing down, causing the toes to scrape the ground while walking
- Waddling gait -- a distinctive duck-like walk that may appear in childhood or later in life
Common Causes
Abnormal gait may be caused by diseases in many different areas of the body. General causes of abnormal gait may include: This list is not all-inclusive. CAUSES OF SPECIFIC GAITS - Propulsive gait:
- Spastic and scissors gait:
- Spastic gait:
- Steppage gait:
- Waddling gait:
- Ataxic or broad-based gait
- Alcohol intoxication
- Long term brain injury due to alcoholism
- Neuropathy (as with diabetes)
- Stroke
- Use of certain medicines such as Dilantin and other seizure medications
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Review Date : 3/26/2009
Reviewed By : David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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