Gait Assessment in Physical Examination

• Ability to Initiate Walking: Check for hesitation or "gait ignition failure".
• Arm Swing: Symmetrical? Reduced or absent, especially unilaterally?
• Head and Trunk Position: Upright, stooped, or tilted?
• Balance and Stability: Swaying, unsteadiness, or falling?
• Use of Assistive Devices: Cane, walker, furniture reliance? Proper use?
• Pain Behavior: Grimacing, guarding a limb?

• Step Length: Consistent and appropriate for height?
• Stride Length: Heel-to-heel distance of same foot.
• Step Height: Is there adequate foot clearance?
• Foot Placement/Base of Support: Normal width? Broad-based?
• Foot Angle: In-toeing or out-toeing?
• Foot Strike: Heel first, flat, or toe-first?
• Cadence: Normal, slow, or fast?
• Rhythm: Smooth or irregular?

• Stance Phase:
  • Weight Acceptance: Normal or painful?
  • Single Limb Support: Shortened time due to discomfort?
  • Push-off: Strong toe-off?
• Swing Phase:
  • Foot Clearance: Present or dragging?
  • Forward Progression: Smooth motion?

Antalgic Gait: Shortened stance on painful side. Common in injury, arthritis.

Parkinsonian Gait: Stooped, shuffling steps, absent arm swing, festination.

Hemiplegic Gait: One side affected. Leg swings out (circumduction), arm flexed.

Scissoring Gait: Legs cross over, small slow steps. Seen in cerebral palsy.

Steppage Gait: High stepping due to foot drop. Common in neuropathy.

Waddling Gait: Due to hip abductor weakness. Duck-like motion.

Ataxic Gait (Cerebellar): Wide-based, unsteady, staggering.

Sensory Ataxic Gait: Stamping, wide-based. Worse with eyes closed.

Trendelenburg Gait: Pelvic drop opposite affected side. Due to gluteus medius weakness.

Crouching Gait: Flexion at ankles, knees, hips. Seen in severe cerebral palsy.

Magnetic Gait: Feet seem stuck to the floor. Seen in frontal lobe disorders.

Psychogenic Gait: Inconsistent, dramatic, does not follow anatomical patterns.