GAIT ABNORMALITY
Gait abnormalities are changes to a normal walking pattern caused by injuries or pathologies of the spinal cord, brain, legs, or feet.
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Gait Abnormality
The term gait refers to the movement your child makes when walking or running. Walking, which is a complex series of movements, requires the cooperation of the brain, bones, and muscles, as well as the assistance of your child’s heart and lungs. If any of those systems malfunction, it may impair the ability to walk. This is referred to as a gait abnormality.
Gait Abnormalities Defined
Gait abnormalities are changes in one’s walking pattern caused by injuries or pathologies of the spinal cord, brain, legs, or feet. For instance, they can affect your child’s walking speed and cause issues with consistency, symmetry, or unsynchronized movements. Also, a gait occurs as a result of a repetitive cycle in which various structures of the central and peripheral nervous systems are involved. In addition, neurological diseases or musculoskeletal factors that affect gait and balance can disrupt this cycle.
Causes
A person may have difficulty walking due to an acute problem, such as a bruise, cut, or fracture. These may cause them to limp or walk differently, but they are not considered abnormal gait causes. However, there are several diseases that can attack the nervous system and cause abnormal gait. The following are some of the most common causes of abnormal gait:
- Amputation of the legs or feet.
- Soft tissue infections in the legs.
- Fractured bones in the feet and legs.
- Birth defects.
- Infections of the middle ear.
- CP (cerebral palsy).
- Conversion disorder or other mental illnesses.
- Shin splints.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What constitutes a gait abnormality in children, and when should a parent take their child to the doctor?
A gait abnormality refers to an unusual walking pattern or way of moving that deviates from the typical, normal gait seen in children. It may involve limping, toe-walking, excessive tripping or falling, walking with an uneven stride, or other noticeable irregularities. Some gait abnormalities are normal during early childhood as a child learns to walk. However, persistent or worsening gait abnormalities beyond the typical age range of development, or those causing pain, discomfort, or difficulty with everyday activities, should cause parents to seek an evaluation by a healthcare professional.
What causes gait abnormalities in children?
Gait abnormalities in children can be caused by various factors, including congenital conditions, orthopedic issues, neurological disorders, muscle weakness, bone deformities, joint problems, injury, or developmental delays. Some common causes include flat feet, tibia vara (Blount’s disease), cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, scoliosis, and hip dysplasia. It’s important for a healthcare professional to conduct a thorough evaluation to determine the specific cause of the gait abnormality and guide appropriate treatment.
How do doctors diagnose and treat gait abnormalities in children?
Diagnosis involves a comprehensive evaluation, including a medical history, physical examination, and often imaging studies such as X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to assess bone structure and alignment. A gait analysis may also be conducted to analyze the child’s walking pattern in detail.
Treatment varies based on the underlying cause of the gait abnormality. It may include physical therapy to improve muscle strength, balance, and coordination, orthotics (custom shoe inserts) to correct foot posture, braces or splints to support the legs, or surgical interventions for more severe conditions. Early intervention and appropriate treatment tailored to the child’s specific needs are key to managing gait abnormalities effectively and optimizing the child’s gait and overall mobility.
Many young children may have an abnormal gait for a period of time as they grow and learn to walk. Parents should make an appointment with us to have their child examined if they believe something is wrong.
Gait Abnormality Treatment
Doctors will prescribe medications and physical therapy as treatments. If your child has any of the following conditions, your doctor may prescribe medication to help your child with an unsteady gait:
- Orthostatic Hypertension (OH).
- Parkinson’s disease (PD).
- Rhythmic Issues
- Lack of vitamin B-12.
Some conditions may necessitate surgery to correct the underlying cause of unsteady gait. These included spinal disorders including lumbar spinal stenosis and cervical stenosis. Additionally, hearing aids for hearing problems, canes or walkers to help with walking, and vision correction with glasses or a new prescription for glasses are all possible treatments. If an underlying condition is causing an abnormal gait, the person’s walking should improve once the condition is treated. Furthermore, this is usually the case with broken bones, which can be treated with a cast. Other injuries may necessitate surgery or physical therapy to restore normal gait. Doctors will treat Long-term cases of abnormal gait with assistive devices. These could include:
- Knee braces
- Leg braces
- orthotics
- Walking canes
While treatment cannot completely cure an abnormal gait, it can reduce the severity of symptoms in a large number of cases. Only a medical professional can officially treat abnormal gait. A doctor will most likely ask about a person’s medical history and symptoms, as well as observe how they walk. A doctor may also order additional testing to rule out neurological conditions and nerve damage.
Gait Abnormality Physical Therapy
Physical therapists play an important role in assisting children to improve their gait. A physical therapist will collaborate with you to create a treatment plan that addresses your child’s unique needs and goals. Your physical therapist will assist you in retraining your child’s walking style. Variations in training exist because the underlying condition could be vestibular, neurological, or muscular. Your physical therapist may recommend balance exercises to help you stabilize your child’s walking pattern.
Treatment options may include
Without taking a single step, your physical therapist may begin your child’s treatment by having your child perform activities and exercises that will help parents understand how to improve your child’s gait. These exercises can range from simple activities like standing and lifting a leg in place to more complex strategies like stepping in place and contacting your child’s heel to the ground first, followed by other parts of the foot.
Neuromuscular Reeducation
Physical Therapists may use Neuromuscular reeducation techniques to activate any inactive muscle groups that affect Gait Abnormality.
Splinting or bracing
If your child’s gait dysfunction is caused by significant ligament weakness or paralysis, your physical therapist may teach you how to use adaptive equipment, such as a brace or splint, to help your child move.
If an underlying condition causes an abnormal gait, the person’s walk should improve once a doctor treats the condition. For example, this is especially true for broken bones, which can usually be treated with a cast. Other injuries may necessitate surgery or physical therapy to help restore normal gait. While treatment cannot always completely correct an abnormal gait, it can usually reduce the severity of symptoms.
Gait Abnormality Prevention
Finally, in some cases, a person can do nothing to prevent an abnormal gait caused by genetics or a medical condition. However, people can take precautions to avoid injuries that result in an abnormal gait. Preventative measures include:
- Refraining from participating in contact sports.
- Wearing protective gear
- During physical activity, wear well-fitting footwear.
- If necessary, wearing leg braces
Why Choose Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists
Finally, our doctors at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists, with offices in Arlington, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, and McKinney, TX understand the importance of maintaining your child’s health. In addition, our experts and specialists have the training, knowledge, and experience required to treat children with an abnormal gait. If you believe your child may possibly have an abnormal gait or any other kind of condition, don’t hesitate to call our office to schedule an appointment to get a proper diagnosis at one of our four locations.
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Footnote:
Medical News Today: What is an Abnormal Gait
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