Which gait is characterized by unilateral weakness, commonly after a stroke, with the leg circumducting?

Which gait is characterized by unilateral weakness, commonly after a stroke, with the leg circumducting?

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

Answer: (A)

Unilateral weakness after a stroke produces a hemiplegic gait. When one side is affected, the muscles on that side become spastic and the foot can drop, making it hard to clear the toes during the swing. To compensate, the leg is swung outward in a semicircular arc—circumduction—to clear the foot and move the limb forward. This characteristic compensatory pattern is the hallmark of the hemiplegic gait. Diplegic gait involves both legs and is common in bilateral leg involvement, such as some cerebral palsy cases. Parkinsonian gait features a stooped posture with shuffling, small steps. Ataxic gait is unsteady and wide-based due to cerebellar problems and lacks the circumduction pattern seen in hemiplegia.

Unilateral weakness after a stroke produces a hemiplegic gait. When one side is affected, the muscles on that side become spastic and the foot can drop, making it hard to clear the toes during the swing. To compensate, the leg is swung outward in a semicircular arc—circumduction—to clear the foot and move the limb forward. This characteristic compensatory pattern is the hallmark of the hemiplegic gait.

Diplegic gait involves both legs and is common in bilateral leg involvement, such as some cerebral palsy cases. Parkinsonian gait features a stooped posture with shuffling, small steps. Ataxic gait is unsteady and wide-based due to cerebellar problems and lacks the circumduction pattern seen in hemiplegia.