Gait dysfunctions are changes in your normal walking pattern, often related to a disease or abnormality in different areas of the body. Gait dysfunctions are among the most common causes of falls in older adults, accounting for approximately 17% of falls. This guide will help you better understand how gait dysfunctions are categorized, and how treatment by a physical therapist can help you regain a healthy gait. Physical therapists are experts at identifying the root causes of gait dysfunctions, and designing treatments that restore gait.
What are Gait Dysfunctions?
Gait dysfunctions make the pattern of how you walk (ie, your gait) appear “abnormal." Most changes in gait are related to underlying medical conditions. Gait dysfunctions can be related to disorders involving the inner ear; nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease; muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy; and musculoskeletal abnormalities such as fractures. In many cases, treatment of the underlying medical condition will help normalize the gait pattern.
Common classifications of gait dysfunction include:
- Antalgic. This type of gait dysfunction is often caused by bearing weight on a painful leg. It can be related to arthritis or a traumatic injury, and is what many people refer to as a "limp." People with this dysfunction take slow and short steps, and quickly try to shift their weight off of the sore leg, ankle, or foot, and back onto the unaffected leg.
- Cerebellar Ataxia. This gait dysfunction is often seen in individuals who have a condition of the cerebellum (a region of the brain), drug or alcohol intoxication, multiple sclerosis, or have experienced a stroke. The affected individual will have a wide-based stance (feet wide apart), and display inconsistent and erratic foot placement.
- Parkinsonian. This type of gait dysfunction is often related to Parkinson’s disease and is characterized by short, shuffled steps.
- Steppage. This dysfunction occurs in people with "foot drop" (an inability to lift the ankle), which is related to conditions, such as lumbar radiculopathy and neuropathy. Because the ankle will "slap" off of the ground, the individual will often lift the leg higher at the knee and hip, to clear the foot when taking a step./li>
- Vestibular Ataxia. This pattern is often related to vertigo, Meniere’s disease (an inner-ear condition), and labyrinthitis (a type of inner-ear disorder in 1 ear). It causes people to walk unsteadily, often falling toward 1 side.
- Waddling. This pattern often arises from muscular dystrophy and myopathy, and causes individuals to walk on their toes, while swaying side-to-side.
Note: These are only a few of the many possible gait dysfunctions. If you suspect you are walking differently, call your physical therapist for a gait assessment.
How Is It Diagnosed?
There are many different strategies and tools that can help a physical therapist diagnose a gait dysfunction. While other health care professionals are educated in the screening for potential conditions related to the gait abnormality, a physical therapist is the expert in diagnosing the actual type of gait dysfunction. Your physical therapist will ask you questions, such as:
- When did you notice you were walking differently?
- Is the problem getting better or worse?
- Has it resulted in a fall or any additional problems?
- Are you in pain while you walk?
- Have there been any recent changes in your medical history, including changes in medications?
Your physical therapist will also conduct certain tests to learn more about your condition. Your assessment may include:
- Observation. Your physical therapist will ask you to walk back and forth, to observe any abnormalities in your gait pattern.
- Gait speed measurements. Your physical therapist will time your walking speed. Studies have shown that complications like falling are related to how fast you walk.
- Balance tests. Your physical therapist may also assess your balance to determine your risk of falling.
- Strength and range-of-motion measurements. These tests can help determine whether the dysfunction is due to musculoskeletal limitations. A physical therapist may utilize tools, such as a goniometer to measure your joint motion, or dynamometer to measure your strength.
- Reflex and sensation screenings. These measurements will help your physical therapist determine whether a neurological (brain or nervous system) condition is present.
How Can a Physical Therapist Help?
Physical therapists play a vital role in helping individuals improve their gait. Your physical therapist will work with you to develop a treatment plan to help address your specific needs and goals. Your physical therapist will design an individualized program to treat your specific condition.
The treatment strategy may include:
Pre-Gait Training. Your physical therapist may begin your treatment by having you perform activities and exercises that will help you understand how to improve your gait, without taking a single step. These exercises may include simple activities, such as having you stand and lift your leg in place, to more complex strategies like stepping in place and initiating contact with your heel to the ground, prior to other portions of the foot.
Gait Training. Your physical therapist will help you focus on retraining the way you walk. Because the underlying condition may be vestibular, neurological, or muscular, variations in the training exist. Your physical therapist will design the safest and best training for your specific condition.
Balance and Coordination Training. Your physical therapist may prescribe balance activities for you to perform to help stabilize your walking pattern.
Neuromuscular Reeducation. Your physical therapist may employ neuromuscular reeducation techniques to activate any inactive muscle groups that may be affecting your gait.
Bracing or Splinting. If the gait dysfunction is due to significant weakness or paralysis of a ligament, your physical therapist may teach you how to use adaptive equipment, like a brace or splint, to help you move.