Steppage Gait

Symptomatic 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

Biomechanics

Steppage gait occurs from excessive flexion of the hips and knees with every step¹

Impairments causing this compensation include:

Causes

Sensory loss

Severe deafferentation can cause steppage gait¹

• Sensory loss results in the heel heavily striking the ground¹
• Patients use a greater foot clearance to prevent them from tripping on the toes or on floor irregularities that are poorly felt¹.

Severe thick-fiber neuropathy is the most common cause: - Can be caused by Guillain–Barré syndrome and other demyelinating neuropathies, - Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (Hereditary)

Motor Loss

• BIL foot drop¹

References

1.

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