Chapter 14

Four-point gait

A gait in which first the right crutch and the left foot are advanced consecutively,and then the left crutch and the right foot are moved forward. This is an unnatural movement pattern that is novel to patients. It is slower, but more stable as only one extremity is moved at a time.

Walker

A similar device, usually a waist-high four-legged framework of lightweight metal, for use by a weak or disabled person as a support while moving the legs.

Cane

A stick or short staff used to assist one in walking; walking aid that helps clients who have weakness on one side of the body to gain balance and support.

stance

A way of holding the body

Ambulation

Act of walking or being able to walk

Parallel bars

An apparatus used in physical therapy to facilitate a patients walking after an injury or disease

Prosthesis

An artificial device to replace or augment a missing or impaired part of the body

brace

An orthopedic device used to support and hold a part of the body in the correct position to allow functioning and healing.

Parkinson gait

Festination aka shuffle gai

outward

If the foot is abducted, it is moved in which direction?, Eversion

Axillary crutches

Wooden or metal crutches, adjustable or nonadjustable, that fit under a person's upper arms and into the axilla with a handpice to grasp

AFO

a brace used to stabilize at the ankle joint

Lofstrand crutch

a crutch that is commonly known as a "forearm crutch" and that allows for greater maneuverability

Crutch walking

a gait in which the patient shifts about 50 percent of the weight-bearing load from his or her legs to his or her arms and crutches

wing screws

adjustment screws on wlaking aids

Hemiwalker

an ambulatory aid in which the patient uses a walker like a crutch

normal gait

base is as wide as the shoulder width; foot placement is accurate; walk is smooth, even, and well-balanced; associated movements (ex. symmetric arm swing) are present

Three-point gait

both crutches and involved leg are advanced together, then uninvolved leg is advanced forward; indicated for use with involvement of one extremity , e.g. lower extremity fracture.

Swing-through gait

both crutches are advanced then the legs swing past the crutches and this is useful for patients with good balance

Ambulatory device

device that aids a patient in walking

coxalgic gait

gait performed when hip is defored similiar to trendelenbergmed

sacroiliac gait

increased friction and loss of elasticity of the ligaments

swing

move or walk in a swinging or swaying manner

Swing-to gait

moves both crutches forward together and then swings body to the point of the crutch

painful knee gait

not uncomon in old age may be the result of osteoarthritis, flexion and extension of the knee becomes painful

crutch palsy

paralysis of the brachial plexus due to pressure from prolonged use of a crutch

flexed hip gait

patients who are confined for long periods of sitting because of pain in the lower extremities

Two-point gait

the crutch and opposite leg are advanced together, then the second crutch and the opposite leg are advanced next

hemiplegic gait

when one leg is paralyzed or neurologically damaged so the leg is dragged or swung around to propel it forward

axillary bar

Crutch adjustment

Crutches

Devices that assist walking when full weight cannot be placed on injured leg

Gait patterns

Patterns used for walking with crutches; depends on patient's balance, coordination, strength, ability to bear weight, and energy level