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Classification of Gait Disorders: Part Ii Practice

This document discusses different approaches to classifying gait disorders. Physicians tend to classify based on the anatomical level of lesion, while rehabilitation professionals focus more on biomechanical causes. Stroke is then discussed as a common neurological cause of gait impairment, accounting for around 0.2% of the population annually. Stroke is usually due to thrombosis or hemorrhage affecting a brain artery. A table shows one classification system based on impairment level used by neurologists.

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Salvatore Biundo
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59 views1 page

Classification of Gait Disorders: Part Ii Practice

This document discusses different approaches to classifying gait disorders. Physicians tend to classify based on the anatomical level of lesion, while rehabilitation professionals focus more on biomechanical causes. Stroke is then discussed as a common neurological cause of gait impairment, accounting for around 0.2% of the population annually. Stroke is usually due to thrombosis or hemorrhage affecting a brain artery. A table shows one classification system based on impairment level used by neurologists.

Uploaded by

Salvatore Biundo
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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202 Part II PRACTICE

practitioner needs to be comfortable with the language and methods


used by a variety of professions, aiming to integrate biomechanical
principles into management wherever possible, but also with an
appreciation of medical and psychosocial models.

CLASSIFICATION OF GAIT DISORDERS

The approach used to classify gait disorders varies according to its pur-
pose. For example, physicians (especially neurologists) tend to focus on
the anatomical level of the lesion (Table B1). On the other hand, those
directly involved in rehabilitation (e.g. therapists and physiatrists) are
more interested in the biomechanical causes of the abnormalities
(Watelain et al 2003).
This book is aimed at understanding general principles useful in
analysing any gait disorder. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of the
main pathologies and their typical characteristic clinical presentations.

STROKE In an average year, around 0.2% of the population has a stroke (Roth &
Harvey 1996). It is the most common of all neurological deficits and the
leading cause of gait impairment in rehabilitation facilities. Sometimes
called cerebrovascular accident (CVA), stroke is due to thromboem-
bolism (in 80% of cases) or haemorrhage (20%) of an artery supplying

Table B1 A gait
classification based on the High-level Cautious gait
level of the impairment, often Subcortical dysequilibrium
used by neurologists Frontal dysequilibrium
Isolated gait ignition failure
Frontal gait disorder
Psychogenic gait disorder
Mid-level Hemiplegic gait
Diplegic gait
Paraplegic gait
Cerebellar ataxic gait
Parkinsonian gait
Choreic gait
Dystonic gait
Low-level Peripheral musculoskeletal problems:
● arthritic gait
● antalgic gait
● myopathic gait
● peripheral neuropathic gait
Peripheral sensory problems:
● sensory ataxic gait
● vestibular ataxic gait
● visual ataxic gait

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