Can a stroke cause an abnormal gait?
After stroke, damaged descending neural pathways can cause abnormal movements, including an abnormal gait pattern1). Consequently, stroke alters the kinematic, kinetic, and muscle activation patterns of survivors and can frequently cause spasticity at a certain joint.
What type of gait is seen in stroke?
Typical Kinematic Deviations seen in Gait after Stroke
| Gait Deviation | |
|---|---|
| Early and Mid-swing | Limited Knee Flexion normally 35-40° increasing to 60° for swing and toe clearance |
| Late-swing | Limited Knee Extension and Ankle Dorsiflexion jeopardising heel contact and weight-acceptance |
What causes a stiffened gait?
Spastic gait. Common to patients with cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis, spastic gait is a way of walking in which one leg is stiff and drags in a semicircular motion on the side most affected by long-term muscle contraction.
How does a stroke affect walking?
How Can a Stroke Affect Movement? Some people who’ve had a stroke will have some trouble with walking and getting around. Strokes can damage parts of your brain that coordinate your movements. Brain signals get scrambled, and your mind and muscles may not work together very well.
What is an abnormal gait?
Abnormal gait or a walking abnormality is when a person is unable to walk in the usual way. This may be due to injuries, underlying conditions, or problems with the legs and feet.
What is a gait abnormality?
What is functional gait abnormality?
A functional gait or movement disorder means that there is abnormal movement of part of the body due to a malfunction in the nervous system. This type of movement is involuntary and the symptoms cannot be explained by another neurological disease or medical condition.
What are gait abnormalities?
Abnormal gait or a walking abnormality is when a person is unable to walk in the usual way. This may be due to injuries, underlying conditions, or problems with the legs and feet. Walking may seems to be an uncomplicated activity.
How does stroke affect mobility?
Muscle weakness Weakness on one side of the body is the most common and well known effect of stroke. If your muscles are weak, you are likely to have some difficulty moving your limbs and moving around in general. Around 80% of stroke survivors experience movement problems, but these can vary.
How does a stroke affect your feet?
After a stroke, you may be left with an abnormal increase in muscle tone that leads to spasticity where your muscle contractions become intense and involuntary. The result is stiffness in the feet and legs, painful or uncomfortable contractures, tired and achy muscles, and may lead to joint deformity over time.