Assessing Gait

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Assessing Gait - #4

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Learn practical gait assessment for geriatric patients.

Assessment

  1. Basic Gait Cycle: The gait cycle is composed of 2 phases, with 7 components.

    • Stance phase: body weight is shifted to a single limb as the contralateral limb is in the  swing phase and swings through.  Subcomponents of this include initial contact, loading response, mid stance, and terminal stance.
    • Swing phase: the limb leaves the stance phase and enters the swing phase as the contralateral limb enters the stance phase.  This is composed of the initial swing, mid swing, and terminal swing.
    • See Figure 1

      From: Williams, Mark. Geriatric Physical Diagnosis.
      A Guide to Observation and Assessment.
      McFarland & Co. Jefferson NC. 2008.

    • Video of Normal Gait with Voice You Tube

  2. Clinical Assessment Tools:
    • Timed Get Up and Go Test (TGUAGT): One of the most commonly used tests of gait and balance.  The TGUAGT begins by observing the patient rising from the chair to stand. The patient walks at their usual pace 3 meters, turns around, walks back to the chair and sits down. Time of <20 seconds = independent for transfers and mobility; while times of >30 seconds suggests increased risk for falls and dependence.
    • Qualitative assessment:
      • Preliminary evaluation: To assess gait, begin with a general neurologic test looking at cranial (including visual fields and acuity), cerebellar (heel to shin, Rhomberg), and peripheral nervous systems, paying additional attention to foot sensation, proprioception (great toe position sense, 10g monofilament, vibratory), and function.  Look for musculoskeletal abnormalities and deformities, particularly of the foot and lower extremities and the spine.
      • Standing and balance: Observe how the patient rises (need to use arms to push off, or balance problems rising) and stands (with or without support).  Ask the patient to stand with eyes closed, and to turn 360 degrees.
      • Walking: Observe how the patient begins to walk (i.e. hesitancy or multiple attempts), the step height for both feet, foot clearance (looking for foot drop), step symmetry between right and left sides, and the speed of the gait.  Look for signs of path deviation and need to use adaptive equipment to maintain a straight path.  Look at the posture and trunk for evidence of swaying, flexion, arm swing, and stability.  Assess tandem and heel walking gaits.
      • Endurance: Observe the patient for signs of fatigue or for comorbid problems that compromise walking.

Links to common tools in gait assessment:

Figure 1

Context

Geriatric Patient Clinic

Action

Describe gait qualitatively and determine how that gait impacts function and safety

Incidence / Prevalence

The incidence of gait abnormalities in older adults has been estimated at over 15% over age 64, to more than 35% in those over age 70.(1) and more than 40% above age 85. Gait abnormalities are commonly linked to falls and subsequent injury risks in elderly populations and gait should be assessed at each clinic visit.

Underlying Sciences

Science Principles

Connective Tissue Changes

Objectives

List and describe phases of the basic gait assessment cycle.

Keywords/Tags

References

  1. Verghese J, Holtzer R, Lipton R, Wang C. Quantitative gait markers and incident fall risk in older adults. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 64(8):896-901, 2009.
  2. Williams, Mark.  Geriatric Physical Diagnosis.  A Guide  to Observation and Assessment.  McFarland & Co.  Jefferson NC. 2008.
This GFF ___ my competence in geriatrics.

Authors

Steve Denson MD, Catherine Tsufis, Judi Rehm, Diane Braza MD, Judith Kosasih MD, Bambi Wessel

Author Affiliation

Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Copyright

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