The term “Gait” means walking pattern and unsteady gait is the condition of walking abnormally. Abnormal gait results from number of causes like injury on the brain, spinal cord, injury caused to the legs and even trauma to the inner ear. Certain medical conditions like Parkinson’s disease, Guillain Barre Syndrome, and multiple sclerosis can cause unsteady gait.
Abnormal walking pattern is the result of uncontrolled muscular deformation on the legs and specific problems in brain and central nervous system. This is largely seen in old age people who may have difficulty in walking due to age factor and underlying medical issues. Old people will not have stability and balance in walking resulting in abnormal gait problem. For instance people with rheumatoid arthritis, cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy will have difficulty in normal walking. Most of the gait problems can be resolved if the underlying cause is identified and treated.
Types :
Gait is described as the style of walking or how a person walks. Many times, we may not be able to control the walking pattern due to underlying physical or medical issues.
There are 5 types of unsteady gait based on the style of walking.
Propulsive gait is one which the person walks with stiff posture bending his head forward. Scissors gait will be like crouching with legs flexed at the hips and the knees and thighs will be hitting each other in the shape of scissors.
Spastic gait is the term that describes the walking style with stiff and dragging walk resulting from contraction of long muscle on one side.
Steppage gait is the style in which the foot drops and hangs leaving the toes pointing down. In this position the toes will scrape the ground when the person walks and the person have to make movement for lifting the leg in high position while walking.
Waddling gait resembles walking like a duck and this condition is seen in childhood.