An antalgic gait is defined by which feature?

An antalgic gait is defined by which feature?

• A. Normal cadence with slower swing
• B. Prolonged stance on the painful limb
• C. Reduced stance time on painful limb to minimize load
• D. Increased gait speed

Answer: (C)

An antalgic gait is a protective pattern driven by pain, where the body minimizes the load on the painful limb. The defining feature is shortening the stance phase on the painful leg so weight is borne for less time. This helps reduce pain during walking and often leads to a quicker transition into swing phase and a shorter step on the opposite side. The idea is to avoid putting extended load through the painful limb, which is why reduced stance time on that limb best fits. Prolonged stance on the painful limb or increasing gait speed doesn’t align with this pain-avoidant strategy, and a normal cadence with slower swing doesn’t capture the focus on minimizing weight-bearing time on the affected side.

An antalgic gait is a protective pattern driven by pain, where the body minimizes the load on the painful limb. The defining feature is shortening the stance phase on the painful leg so weight is borne for less time. This helps reduce pain during walking and often leads to a quicker transition into swing phase and a shorter step on the opposite side. The idea is to avoid putting extended load through the painful limb, which is why reduced stance time on that limb best fits. Prolonged stance on the painful limb or increasing gait speed doesn’t align with this pain-avoidant strategy, and a normal cadence with slower swing doesn’t capture the focus on minimizing weight-bearing time on the affected side.