The Gait Cycle

Dane Brodke, MD MPH

UCLA Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery
 Gluteus medius
Ileum
Greater trochanter

Rectus femoris
AIIS
Quad. tendon

Anatomy

Vastus
Femur shaft
Quad. tendon

Iliopsoas
T12, L1-4, Iliacus
Lesser trochanter
 Tibialis posterior
Post. Tib/fib + interosseous
Tibialis anterior memb.
Lat. tibia Nav. Tuberosity,
Med. Cuneiform, cuneiforms, 2-4
1st metatarsal metatarsals

Gastroc.
Distal femur
Achilles

Anatomy Soleus
Tib. + Fib.
Achilles
Gait

Ground reaction force = reaction (ie. joint flexion or extension) to the force
that the body exerts on the ground
Gait
Foot strikes ground. Begin double support.

Ground reaction force: behind ankle and knee joints

Concentrically contracting:

Eccentrically contracting: Tibialis anterior, EDL, EHL, Vasti

Gait
Whole foot on ground. Knee flexes to absorb shock. End double support.

Ground reaction force: behind ankle and knee joints

Concentrically contracting:

Eccentrically contracting: Tibialis anterior, EDL, EHL, Vasti

Gait
Body moves forward over static foot. Begin single limb support.

Ground reaction force: in front of hip and knee joints (now stable in extension)

Concentrically contracting:

Eccentrically contracting: Soleus, gastrocnemius

Gait
Heel begins to lift.

Ground reaction force: back behind hip and knee, further forward from ankle

Concentrically contracting: Gastrocnemius, hip extensors, toe flexors

Eccentrically contracting:
Gait
Opposite foot hits ground. Toe-off.

Ground reaction force:

Concentrically contracting: Hip flexors

Eccentrically contracting:
Gait
Foot lifts. Forward inertia flexes knee.

Concentrically contracting: Hip flexors

Eccentrically contracting:
Gait
Swing leg crosses stance leg. Forward inertia re-extends knee.

Concentrically contracting: Hip flexors, ankle dorsiflexors (ground clearance)

Eccentrically contracting:
Gait
Knee extends to meet ground

Concentrically contracting: Ankle dorsiflexors (‘landing flare’)

Eccentrically contracting: Hip flexors, Hamstrings

Gait
Subtalar
motion and
the foot
  Trendelenberg
 Ineffective abductors
 Short leg gait
 Circumduction
 Hip hitching
Pathologic gait  High stepping
 Vaulting
 Antalgic gait
 Shortened single support
 Shortened swing
 Increased double support