gait analysis

gait

the manner or style of locomotion. Often used in assessing horses and dogs. See also ataxia, dysmetria, incoordination, spastic, stringhalt, walk, trot, canter, gallop (2), cadence, five-gaited.

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gait analysis

evaluation of the manner or style of walking, usually done by observing the animal as it walks or trots in a straight line. The normal forward step consists of two phases: the stance phase, during which one or more legs and feet are bearing most or all of the body weight, and the swing phase, during which the other feet are not touching the walking surface and the body weight is borne by the others. In a complete two-step cycle all feet are in contact with the ground at the same time for about 25% of the time. This part of the cycle is called the double-support phase.

An analysis of each component of the three phases of ambulation is an essential part of the diagnosis of various neurological disorders and the assessment of patient progress during rehabilitation and recovery from the effects of a neurological disease, a musculoskeletal injury or disease process, or amputation of a lower extremity.

antalgic gait

a limp adopted so as to avoid pain on weight-bearing structures, characterized by a very short stance phase.

ataxic gait

an unsteady, uncoordinated walk, employing a wide base.

diagonal gait

one in which a forelimb is moved in unison with its opposite hindlimb, e.g. trot.

double-step gait

a gait in which there is a noticeable difference in the length or timing of alternate steps.

high stepping gait

may be normal in some fancy gaited horses. In others it may be a sign of blindness or poor proprioception, usually because of a defect in the sensory nervous system. It may also be a manifestation of hypermetria.

horse gait

there are three natural gaits, walk, trot, canter and two artificial gaits, the foxtrot, rack. There are a number of other less well-defined gaits similar to foxtrot.

spastic gait

a walk in which the legs move in a stiff manner, the toes seeming to drag and catch.

staggery gait

see staggers.

waddling gait

exaggerated alternation of lateral trunk movements with an exaggerated elevation of the hip, suggesting the gait of a duck.

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gait analysis

Rehab medicine Evaluation of the gait of Pts with a neurologic or orthopedic condition affecting the motor control system–eg, brain injury, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, multiple sclerosis, musculoskeletal actuator systems, post polio, peripheral nerve injuries, orthopedic trauma/injuries or joint degeneration and amputation; an evaluation process that attempts to understand various aspects of gait–eg, gait mechanics, effects of disease, and how to manage gait disorders. See Gait.