Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of abnormal gait?

The symptoms of gait abnormalities are :

• Shuffling or dragging your feet.
• Feeling unsteady on your feet.
• Stiff joints or muscles in your legs and hips.
• Waddling, swaying from side to side with every step.
• Stepping higher than usual and lowering your feet as you go.
• Taking tiny steps.
• Discomfort when moving.

Different types of gait abnormalities

Gait abnormalities are classified into numerous kinds, the most popular of which are:

• Spastic Gait : A person with spastic gait drags their feet when walking. Such patients look to walk quite stiffly.
• Scissors Gait : People with scissors gait have their legs bent inward. These people’s legs cross while walking and may collide. Walking’s crossing motion resembles the opening and shutting of scissor blades.
• Waddling Gait : A waddling gait involves exaggerating the movement of your upper body, resulting in a waddling or duck-like walk. Progressive muscle degeneration or hip dislocation from birth can result in a waddling gait.
• Ataxic Gait : This type of gait results from cerebellar degeneration. It causes uneven steps, affecting your ability to walk in a straight line from heel to toe. If you walk ataxically, you may feel shaky.
• Propulsive Gait (Parkinsonian Gait) : People with Parkinson’s disease or parkinsonism are affected by this kind of gait. A stooping, stiff posture and forward-bending head and neck are signs of a propulsive gait. In order to maintain your center of gravity, you often take quick, short steps (festinating gait).

What causes abnormal gait?

Sometimes an acute issue, like a cut, bruise, or fracture, makes it difficult for a person to walk. These are not regarded as causes of abnormal gait, but they may make patients limp or walk differently. However, a number of illnesses can target the legs and neurological system, leading to an abnormal gait. The following are a few of the most typical reasons for irregular gait:

• Joint Pain: Common pain can make every step uncomfortable, causing a person to walk less.
• Multiple sclerosis: Multiple sclerosis can intrude on the signals between the brain and muscles, making walking harder.
• Meniere’s disease: With respect to this disease, unforeseen balance problems can make walking feel unsteady.
• Injuries such as broken bones or sprains: A broken bone or sprain can change how someone walks while they cover the injured area.
• Brain haemorrhage and tumour : A brain bleed or tumour can affect movement and collaboration, leading to changes in how a person walks
• Stroke: After a stroke, weakness on one side of the body can make walking grueling.
• Vertigo: Vertigo can make the world feel like it’s spinning, causing an unsteady way.
• Migraine: During a migraine, dizziness or perceptivity can make walking feel off-balance.
• Parkinson’s Disease: Parkinson’s complaint can make movements slow and stiff, affecting a person’s gait.
• Scars: A scar towel can strain or limit movement, changing the way someone walks
• Tendonitis: Tendonitis brings pain and stiffness that can make a normal walking pattern delicate.
• Conversion disorder or other psychological disorder: Some cerebral conditions can affect movement, leading to unusual walking patterns.
• Cerebral Palsy: Cerebral palsy affects muscle control, making walking look different from person to person.
• Past injuries to the legs or feet: Old injuries can leave lingering weakness or pain that still affects the way someone walks.
• Pain and weakness in the feet: When the bases hurt or feel weak, it’s natural to acclimate that way, creating an abnormal gait.
• Inner ear issues can affect balance: Inner observance problems can throw off balance, making walking sense shaky.
• Heart disease: A heart complaint may be frazzledness or briefness of breath, which can change the way someone moves
• Respiratory disorder: Breathing problems can reduce energy and stability, affecting a person’s stride.

Diagnosis of Abnormal Gait

During a physical examination, a medical doctor will identify abnormalities in gait. An in-depth medical history will be taken, along with:

• Evaluate your muscular strength, tone, and coordination.
• Check the length of your legs (for example, prosthetic hips might create varying leg lengths).
• Examine your vision and blood pressure.
• Examine your cervix and spine.
• Check your balance.
• Evaluate the walking joints’ range of motion.

A healthcare physician may do a variety of tests to learn more about the sort of gait impairment you have and what causes it. Imaging examinations, such as X-rays, and laboratory tests may be indicated.