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Normal Gait: (two phases):
- stance phase:
- begins w/ heel-strike and ends w/ toe-off &, in terms of duration, constitutes 63% of the cycle of gait (during walking):
- hence, during ambulation there are two periods of double support (beginning and end of stance phase);
- w/ running, toe off occurs earlier in the gait cycle, and there is no point when both feet are on the ground, and instead there are
two time points when both feet are off the ground simultaneously (just before and after stance phase);
- the faster the run, the less time is spent in stance phase;
- swing phase:
- begins w/ toe-off & ends w/ heel-strike, comprising 28% of cycle;
- duration of each phase is same for both limbs, circumstance, among others, that confers upon normal gait appearance of symmetry & rhythm;
- abnormality of gait is usually a consequence of pain, weakness, or a difference in the lengths of the limbs;
- normal gait tends to minimize displacement of center of gravity thru:
- pelvic rotation
- pelvic tilt
- knee flexion after heel strike
- foot and ankle motion
- knee motion
- lateral displacement of pelvis
Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics
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Added: Mon Feb 04 2002
Last Modified: Thu Feb 21 2008
