Walking abnormalities Health Article

Call your health care provider if

If there is any sign of uncontrollable and unexplained gait abnormalities, call your health care provider.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting the problems with walking in detail may include:

• Time pattern
  • When did this problem with walking begin?
  • Did it occur suddenly or gradually?
  • Has it become worse over time?
• Quality (type of gait disturbance)
  • Scissors gait (flexed hips and knees, legs cross each other)
  • Steppage gait (foot drop, toes scrape ground)
  • Spastic gait (stiff, foot-dragging walk)
  • Propulsive gait (stooped, rigid posture, with head, neck bent forward)
• Other symptoms
  • Is there pain?
  • If there is pain, is it in the muscles, joints, spine, or other location?
  • Is there a fever?
  • Is there testicular pain?
  • Does there appear to be muscle atrophy (wasting)?
  • Is there any paralysis?
  • Are there any muscle spasms?
  • Are there joint deformities?
  • Has there been a recent infection?
• Medications
  • What medications are being taken?
• Injury history
  • Have there been any recent or past leg injuries?
  • If there was a leg injury, what type? Was it a broken bone, dislocation, or burn?
  • Has the person had any head injuries, especially one that resulted in a coma?
  • Has the person had any spinal injuries or nerve injuries?
• Illness history
  • Are there any known blood vessel problems?
  • Are there any known illnesses such as polio, meningitis, myositis, tumors, or stroke?
  • Have there been any recent infections, including abscesses?
  • Does the person have hemophilia?
  • Has the person been exposed to carbon monoxide?
• Treatments
  • Have there been any recent immunizations?
  • Has there been a recent surgery?
  • Has there been any chemotherapy or radiation therapy?
• Self and family history
  • Are there any known birth defects, such as spina bifida, myelomeningocele, or hip dysplasia?
  • Is there a history of cerebral palsy or muscular dystrophy?
  • Has anyone in the family had multiple sclerosis?
  • Has the affected person had any growth abnormalities?
  • Are the legs different lengths?
  • Is there a known problem with scoliosis?