Walking abnormalities Health Article

Definition

Walking abnormalities are unusual and uncontrollable walk patterns, usually caused by diseases or injuries to the legs, feet, brain, spine, or inner ear.

Alternative Names

Gait abnormalities

Considerations

The pattern of how a person walks is called their gait. Many different types of walking abnormalities are produced unconsciously. Most, but not all, are due to some physical condition.

Some walking abnormalities are so characteristic that they have been given descriptive names:

• Propulsive gait -- a stooped, rigid posture, with the head and neck bent forward
• Scissors gait -- legs flexed slightly at the hips and knees, giving the appearance of crouching, with the knees and thighs hitting or crossing in a scissors-like movement
• Spastic gait -- a stiff, foot-dragging walk caused by one-sided, long-term, muscle contraction
• Steppage gait -- foot drop where the foot hangs with the toes pointing down, causing the toes to scrape the ground while walking
• Waddling gait -- a distinctive duck-like walk that may appear in childhood or later in life

• Vestibular disorders (the inner ear is responsible for maintaining balance, and damage results in vertigo)
• Central nervous system disorders of the brain that cause muscular problems resulting in gait disturbance such as multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy)
• Spinal cord abnormalities (disease, trauma, degeneration)
• Peripheral nerve diseases (nerves from the spinal cord to the muscles may be damaged by disease or trauma and result in gait abnormalities)
• Degenerative muscle diseases (muscular dystrophy, myotonic dystrophy, myositis)
• Neurodegenerative illnesses (Parkinson's disease)
• Skeletal abnormalities and disease
• Arthritis
• Foot conditions (plantar warts, bunions, ingrown toenails, pressure ulcers)
• Toxic reactions (alcohol, drugs, allergens)