Walking/Gait Abnormalities

Overview & Considerations

The pattern of how a person walks is called the gait. Many different types of gait abnormalities are produced unconsciously. Most, but not all, are due to some physical malfunction.

Some gait abnormalities are so characteristic that they have been given descriptive names:

• Propulsive gait (characterized by a stooped, rigid posture, with the head and neck bent forward)
• Scissors gait (characterized by 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 (characterized by a stiff, foot-dragging walk caused by one-sided, long-term, muscle contraction)
• Steppage gait (characterized by foot drop where the foot hangs with the toes pointing down, causing the toes to scrape the ground while walking)
• Waddling gait (characterized by a distinctive duck-like walk that may appear in childhood or later in life)

• Vestibular disorders (the inner ear is responsible for maintaining balance; damage results in vertigo)
• Central nervous system disorders of the brain that cause muscular problems resulting in gait disturbance such as multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy)
• Spinal cord abnormalities (disease, trauma, degeneration)
• Peripheral nerve diseases (nerves from the spinal cord to the muscles may be damaged by disease or trauma and result in gait abnormalities)
• Degenerative muscle diseases (muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, myositis)
• Neurodegenerative illnesses (Parkinson's disease)
• Skeletal abnormalities and disease
• Arthritis
• Foot conditions (plantar warts, bunions, ingrown toenails, pressure ulcers)
• Toxic reactions (alcohol, drugs, allergens)