Cautious Gait

Authors

Affiliations

Nate 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

Cautious gait is a complex gait disorder originating from dysfunction at the CNS.

Gait

Cautious gait is characterized by a normal or mildly widened base, a shortened stride, slowness of walking, and turning en bloc¹.

With this gait strategy, the center of gravity remains within the limits of the base of support¹.

Note

This is not always a pathological gait, sometimes it is necessary due to the environment. For example, walking on an icy street may force normal individuals to adopt a similar gait pattern to minimize the risk of falling¹.

Clinical Presentation

This gait disorder is seen mainly in older people. It may represent a milder or compensatory phase of any of the disorders causing poor balance and is not localizing¹

References

1.

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