PT Gait Analysis and Deviations

Absorb shock during loading response as the knee flexes at initial contact, moves toward extension, and the foot plantar flexes to a flat ground, with quadriceps firing.

Explore the mid stance phase of gait, detailing hip extension, knee motion, pelvis stability by gluteus medius, and closed-chain dorsiflexion with pronation, plus deviations like Trendelenburg sign and genu recurvatum.

Explore the terminal stance phase, detailing hip extension with iliopsoas control, knee near full extension, ankle dorsiflexion transitioning to plantarflexion, and common deviations that shorten steps.

In preswing, knee flexes, ankle plantar flexes, great toe extends, and the hip prepares to swing as weight shifts to the stance leg, with turf toe and hallux rigidus.

Explore the initial swing phase: hip flexion and knee flexion to about 60 degrees for toe clearance, with dorsiflexors lifting the toe and potential deviations like vaulting or circumduction.

Explore mid swing and terminal swing in gait, detailing hip flexion, knee flexion, quad extension, dorsiflexors lifting foot, and hamstrings and gluteus maximus control, with backward trunk lean and vaulting.

Analyze and recognize abnormal gait patterns, including intelligent gait, ataxic gait, equine gait, gluteus maximus gait, gluteus medius gait, hemiplegic gait, parkinsonian gait, vaulting gait, and toeing in or out.