We usually don’t give a second thought to how we walk. You stand up, put one foot in front of the other, and get where you’re going. However, when your feet aren’t working right, you develop what we call a gait abnormality. These changes are often your body’s way of protecting itself or signaling an underlying issue. Here is how we at Podiatry Center of New Jersey break down the most common types of gait changes and what might be causing them.
Antalgic Gait
If you have ever had a pebble in your shoe or a stubbed toe, you have experienced an antalgic gait. This is the most common type of walking abnormality, and it is almost always caused by pain. When one foot hurts, you naturally spend as little time as possible putting weight on it.
You’ll notice that your steps become uneven; you take a quick, short step on the painful side and a longer, more forceful step on the healthy side.
While this is great for short-term relief from an ingrown toenail or a sprain, walking like this for a long time can lead to secondary pain in your hips and back because your good leg is doing double the work.
Trendelenburg Gait
This gait is a bit more subtle and usually stems from muscle weakness rather than direct foot pain. If the muscles on the side of your hip are weak, your pelvis will tilt or drop toward the opposite side when you lift your leg to take a step.
You might notice that you lean your entire upper body over your strong leg to stay balanced. This is often caused by nerve issues, hip arthritis, or even a previous injury that caused your glute muscles to atrophy.
If your hips are swinging wildly like a pendulum when you walk, your feet might need some strengthening.
Propulsive and Steppage Gaits
Sometimes, the way you walk is a direct reflection of how your nerves are communicating with your feet. A propulsive gait is characterized by a stooped, stiff posture where you take small, shuffling steps that pick up speed, making it look like you are falling forward.
On the other hand, if you find yourself lifting your knee extra high like you’re climbing an invisible set of stairs, to keep your toes from dragging, you have a steppage gait.
This is usually caused by foot drop, where the muscles that lift the front of your foot are paralyzed or weakened, often due to a pinched nerve in your back or a complication from diabetes.
Sensory Ataxic Gait
If you have ever felt like you are walking on cotton balls or that you can’t quite tell where the floor is, you might have an ataxic gait. This is common in patients with advanced neuropathy.
Because the nerves in your feet aren’t sending signals back to your brain about your position, you tend to walk with a wide base and stomp your feet down hard to feel the ground. It looks heavy-handed (or rather, heavy-footed), but it is actually your brain’s way of trying to find its bearings.
If you have more questions about foot care or want to address specific concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to the expert team at Podiatry Center of New Jersey! Give us a call at (973) 925-4111 or make an appointment online.
