10 - Gait Disturbances

Summary

The gait abnormalities are indicative of some disorder of the nervous system. This chapter describes different types of gait disturbance with regard to localization and specific neurological disorders. The different gait disturbances are: senescent gait or early gait apraxia, advanced senescent gait (late gait apraxia), hemiparetic gait, spastic gait, ataxic gait, staggering gait, steppage gait, waddling gait, hysterical gait and antalgic gait. Antalgic gait results from a shortened stance phase or a painful limb. Osteoarthritis is a common cause. The gait of patients with Parkinson's disease and related disorders is stereotyped but may be confused with senescent gait. There is usually a flexion of all limbs and trunk and a tendency to lean forward and accelerate with walking, a disturbance referred to as festination. Tremor commonly accompanies the gait disturbance. Universal flexion is typically associated with the gait of Parkinson's disease.