gait
Last reviewed 01/2018
Gait is the manner of walking; important points in its examination include:
- good visibility of the legs
- ease of rising to feet without support, with the feet together or with the eyes closed
- ask the patient to walk normally for about 5 metres, turn round and walk back
- ask the patient to walk heel-to-toe - testing for cerebellar disease
- ask the patient to stand with the feet together
- with eyes open - testing cerebellar and posterior column function
- with eyes closed - testing posterior column function
- on toes alone - impossible with S1 lesions
- on heels alone - impossible if L4 / L5 lesion
- any abnormality should be carefully described, including requirements of stick, frame or other support