Which gait is characterized by a stooped posture, small shuffling steps, and reduced arm swing?

Which gait is characterized by a stooped posture, small shuffling steps, and reduced arm swing?

• A. Ataxic gait
• B. Hemiplegic gait
• C. Parkinsonian gait
• D. Diplegic gait

Answer: (C)

This gait pattern reflects movement slowing and stiffness that come from degeneration in the basal ganglia, producing bradykinesia and rigidity. The result is a forward-leaning, stooped posture, very small shuffling steps, and little arm swing because the arms don’t move normally with the body's motion. You might also see festination, where steps become progressively faster and shorter as the person tries to keep moving. This combination—stooped posture, short shuffling steps, and reduced arm swing—is classic for Parkinsonian gait. In contrast, ataxic gait tends to be wide-based and unsteady with irregular step lengths, hemiplegic gait shows asymmetry from one-sided weakness, and diplegic gait features leg-spasticity with scissoring.

This gait pattern reflects movement slowing and stiffness that come from degeneration in the basal ganglia, producing bradykinesia and rigidity. The result is a forward-leaning, stooped posture, very small shuffling steps, and little arm swing because the arms don’t move normally with the body's motion. You might also see festination, where steps become progressively faster and shorter as the person tries to keep moving. This combination—stooped posture, short shuffling steps, and reduced arm swing—is classic for Parkinsonian gait. In contrast, ataxic gait tends to be wide-based and unsteady with irregular step lengths, hemiplegic gait shows asymmetry from one-sided weakness, and diplegic gait features leg-spasticity with scissoring.