Waddling Gait

Authors

Affiliations

Nathaniel Yomogida, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.S. in Kinesiology

Chloë Kerstein, B.S., SPT

Doctor of Physical Therapy

B.A. in Neuroscience

Weakness of the hip muscles, particularly the gluteus medius, results in an excessive drop of the hip and trunk tilting to the side opposite the foot placement. The hips oscillate up and down with every step, making the patient seem to waddle. With muscle weakness, there is accentuation of the lumbar lordosis¹.

Causes

The waddling gait is seen with severe proximal muscle weakness¹.

References

1.

Brazis PW, Masdeu JC, Biller J. Localization in Clinical Neurology. 8th ed. Wolters Kluwer Health; 2022.