Abnormal Gait

Abnormal gait increases the movement of the center of mass, leading to inefficient energy conversion and a slow walking speed. As a result, it increases energy consumption and the risk of injury. In the short term, it can lead to falls, and in the long term, it can result in musculoskeletal problems. Abnormal gait can be classified by its cause and kinematics. The same abnormal gait can arise from a variety of different impairments, and the same impairment can lead to different abnormal gaits depending on individual compensation mechanisms. Primary impairments, such as weakness and paresis, can cause secondary impairments, such as contractures, and these secondary impairments can then lead to an abnormal gait. For effective gait training, it is necessary to assess not only the gait pattern but also the impairments causing the abnormal gait.