The gait is a term used to refer to the way of walking that a studied patient has, its most commonly used synonym is “ambulation”; the common or normal gait of an individual is actively, demonstrating control and coordination in the movements executed, so that a harmony can be perceived in the walk of said person. We individuals move according to our own will and in the direction in which we decide; it is usual that while leaving a coordinated swing of the arms is also appreciated, this “arm stroke” is not involuntarily diverted to the direction in which the trajectory is to be discussed.
In turn, it can be seen that the body's sustainability base is slightly inclined towards the front portion, as well as that the steps taken are aligned and at a constant distance. The impaired ambulation is indicative of many pathologies in the patient, especially at the neurological level. Many gait disorders are influenced by numerous factors that generate it, such as: joint problems, weak muscle tone, lack of control in the movement given and pain when exerting the tread.
To evaluate the patient's gait, an observation must be made, where all the movements that the patient gives to must be precisely determined to determine what the fault that is being presented will be; For this, the patient is ordered to walk in a straight line and return to his initial point by that same route. This exercise must be done as many times as necessary for the treating physician to determine the existing injury. Other frequently used methods are to order the patient to swing, support his body on his fingertips or on his heels.
In the event that gait stability is to be evaluated, the patient is ordered to walk on one foot, moving the unused foot forward, as if it were a kind of rope walk performed by tightrope walkers in a circus. While the patient does this exercise, the treating physician observes the stiffness in the movements performed, the coordination of movement and the patient's balance.
