A deranged gait can result in impaired function for the person.
Patient Findings |
Severity |
Whole person impairment (%) |
antalgic limp with shortened stance phase and documented moderate to advanced arthritic changes of hip, knee or ankle |
mild |
7% |
positive Trendelenberg sign and moderate to advanced osteoarthritis of hip |
|
10% |
requires part-time use of cane OR crutch for distance walking but not usually at home or in the workplace |
|
15% |
requires routine use of short leg brace (AFO) |
|
15% |
requires routine use of cane, crutch OR long leg brace (KAFO) |
moderate |
20% |
requires routine use of a cane OR crutch AND a short leg brace (AFO) |
|
30% |
requires routine use of 2 canes OR 2 crutches |
|
40% |
requires routine use of 2 canes OR 2 crutches AND a short leg brace (AFO) |
severe |
50% |
requires routine use of 2 canes OR 2 crutches AND a long leg brace (KAFO) |
|
60% |
requires routine use of 2 canes OR 2 crutches AND 2 lower extremity braces (either AFOs or KAFOs) |
|
70% |
wheelchair dependent |
|
80% |
where:
• AFO = ankle-foot orthosis
• KAFO = knee-ankle-foot orthosis
• antalgic gait = limp with avoidance of weight-bearing on the affected side
• Trendelenburg sign (or test) = when standing on the affected leg, the gluteal fold of the opposite side falls rather than rises
Specialty: Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation, Surgery, orthopedic