Need help managing your gait disorder? Consider physical therapy services available in Utah, Idaho, and Montana.
Have you not noticed that you can’t seem to get rid of your limp since rolling your ankle? Do you find that the more your back hurts, the worse your gait becomes? We walk differently for various reasons, most of which can be resolved with physical therapy at Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners.
Key takeaways
- Definition: Gait is your unique walking pattern involving the coordination of muscles, joints, and nerves.
- Common causes: Gait disorders often stem from neurological conditions (stroke, Parkinson’s), orthopedic injuries (arthritis, fractures), or inner ear vestibular issues.
- Symptoms: Look for signs like shuffling, frequent falls, dizziness, or limping.
- PT benefits: Physical therapy improves mobility through gait retraining, strengthening exercises, and balance drills.
- Custom support: Therapists provide personalized plans and can fit you for assistive devices such as walkers or canes to ensure your safety.
Gait is defined as a person’s walking pattern. Walking requires precise timing and coordination of muscles, joints, and nerves to propel the body forward rhythmically. Our stride differs from person to person based on height, weight, health status, and even culture.
A variety of factors can cause an abnormal gait. Some common causes include:
- Joint degeneration/arthritis
- Neurological conditions (i.e., Parkinson’s, degenerative nerve diseases, stroke, etc.).
- Vestibular disorders/vertigo
- Injuries to the spine and/or lower extremity
- Muscle disorders (i.e., weakness, muscle wasting associated with age)
Nobody wants to walk in pain or with shakiness. Fortunately, the physical therapists at Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners are experts at identifying and treating common gait-related conditions. We will provide you with the tools you need to regain your walking ability and get back to doing what you enjoy!
Make a physical therapy appointment with us today!. Our gait disorders specialty services can help you improve your quality of life!
What is a gait disorder?
Gait abnormalities are changes in your walking and running patterns caused by irregular motions. Minor issues, such as foot problems or wearing ill-fitting shoes, can disrupt our normal gait and, if left unresolved, lead to dysfunction and the development of a gait disorder.
Gait disorders are extremely common in the adult population, with studies revealing that more than 60% of people over the age of 80 have a gait disorder.
Balance, shuffling, frequent falls, staggering, and freezing in place are all symptoms of gait disorders.
Our gait can be affected by neurological or non-neurological causes. The most common causes are:
- Neurological conditions (i.e., sensory or motor impairments)
- Orthopedic problems (i.e., osteoarthritis, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, and other skeletal deformities)
- Medical conditions (i.e., heart failure, respiratory insufficiency, peripheral arterial occlusive disease, and obesity)
These abnormalities may worsen with age, but gait changes can occur at any age. Fortunately, our physical therapists are experts at determining the root cause of your problems and will address all the factors preventing you from walking normally.
What causes gait disorders?
A problem with your balance or gait may be caused or exacerbated by underlying medical conditions, orthopedic, and neurological issues. Fortunately, our physical therapy clinics can help you regain function and correct your gait.
The following are some of the most common causes of gait problems:
Neurological causes
A variety of neurological conditions can cause gait problems. Possible causes include a brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, now diagnosed in 90,000 Americans yearly, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, or a stroke. Some neurological disorders begin in childhood, while others develop with age.
The following are the most common conditions affecting children: Cerebral palsy, Muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and Brain tumors.
The most common conditions affecting adults include Multiple sclerosis (MS), Stroke, Brain tumor, Parkinson’s disease, and Spinal cord compression.
Our therapists at Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners can assess your gait and provide you with tools and strategies to ensure your safety and restore your function to its maximum potential.
Orthopedic disorders and injuries
The most common causes of non-neurological gait disorders in adults are osteoarthritis, affecting over 595 million people globally, and skeletal deformities and injuries of the lower extremities.
A sudden injury, disease, accident, or condition that causes changes in joint range of motion, muscle weakness, or avoidance of weight-bearing (aka limping) can disrupt your normal gait and negatively impact your normal functioning.
A limited range of motion, weakness, changes in stride length, cadence, asymmetrical stepping, or limping are all symptoms of orthopedic gait disorders.
Medical issues
Medical conditions are also linked to changes in gait and an increased risk of gait-related injuries. The following most common medical conditions are: Heart failure, Respiratory insufficiency (including COPD), Peripheral arterial occlusive disease, Peripheral vascular disease, and Obesity.
When our cardiovascular and respiratory systems are compromised, our gait often suffers. Our physical therapists are, fortunately, well-versed in all body systems and how they affect your gait.
Recover from gait disorders
One of the most effective treatments for all gait disorders is physical therapy.
When you arrive for your first appointment at Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners, our physical therapists will conduct a thorough assessment.
Our physical therapist will examine your entire body to determine the factors that are contributing to your condition. We will include a range of motion and strength tests for your joints. We will also perform movement screenings to determine how your body moves in specific patterns, such as your gait pattern.
Your evaluation results will guide your personalized treatment plan. We will tailor our strategy to meet your specific needs. Our physical therapists commonly use the following techniques and exercises.
Mobility exercises
Stretching in the clinic and at home will help you increase your joint range of motion, which may be limiting your natural gait. We will also include whole-body mobility work to help you improve your movement control, keep your muscles working properly, and reduce your risk of injury.
Strengthening exercises
Strength in the core and lower extremities is essential for normal gait. Weakness in the hips and pelvis can significantly affect your normal gait and should be addressed as soon as possible.
Other muscle weaknesses can affect your stride length and cadence, increasing your risk of falls and injuries. Since the CDC reports that falling once doubles your chances of falling again, our team will identify any areas of weakness early and provide you with targeted exercises to address them and restore your functional gait.
Gait retraining exercises
Learning proper movement techniques, also known as retraining, can sometimes correct gait abnormalities. Based on your gait, your therapists will give you specific cues and instructions. Some patients may also benefit from aquatic gait training in a low-impact environment.
Drills can range from simple weight shifts for people who struggle to bear all of their weight on one leg to advanced cues about foot placement with eyes forward.
In some cases, your therapist may use exaggerated movements of the head, arms, trunk, and lower extremities to stimulate the nervous system and recalibrate the systems’ interactions. This type of therapy can also improve runners’ gait patterns.
Balance and coordination drills
Our musculoskeletal system’s intricate timing necessitates balance and coordination working in tandem to achieve the rhythmic stride we use when walking.
Drills can range from simple single-leg balancing to complex ladder drills requiring high levels of balance and coordination across the entire body and its systems.
Using assistive devices
Using an assistive device to achieve the safest, most effective gait is sometimes necessary. A physical therapist typically selects an assistive device based on its level of stability.
Your therapist will help select the right device based on the level of stability required:
| Stability Level | Device Type |
| Highest Stability | Standard Walker, Rolling Walker |
| Moderate Stability | Quad Cane, Crutches (Axillary or Lofstrand) |
| Standard Support | Standard Cane, Hiking Sticks |
In the clinic, your therapist will assess you to determine which device will benefit you and fit you appropriately to ensure your safety. Your therapist will then practice using the device with you until you are comfortable using it on your own.
Get help for gait disorders at Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners
Do you have trouble walking normally? If this applies to you, it’s important to seek professional assistance. Our physical therapists can show you the most effective ways to improve your walking, helping you get back to doing what you love as soon as possible!
To find the relief you’ve been looking for, make an appointment with Mountain Land Physical Therapy Partners today.