The term “gait” refers to a series of coordinated and balanced movements that allow you to walk and run properly. It is a complex process that your central nervous system controls to maintain proper balance and posture.
Gait dysfunction is a condition that affects the way you walk, run or move around. If you find yourself searching for walls or railings to balance yourself, or if your balance is not exactly what it used to be, you might have a gait deviation that needs attention.
While gait dysfunction can be physically and mentally debilitating, it is treatable through physical therapy.
What Causes Gait Dysfunction?
Gait dysfunction may stem from a variety of causes, including:
- Lack of warm-up: The body needs to be warmed up before engaging in physical activity. Without a proper warm-up, muscles will not function properly, decreasing your ability to maintain equilibrium.
- Patient History: Gait dysfunction can result from a patient’s history of injuries and failure to rehabilitate or maintain treatment.
- Lack of prerequisites for running: Running without proper strength and mobility training or a training variation can lead to gait problems.
The Symptoms Of Gait Dysfunction
Some of the most common symptoms of gait dysfunction include:
- Tight or fatigued musculature– Gait dysfunction can cause tight and fatigued muscular structure that makes you vulnerable to a musculoskeletal injury.
- Imbalances or asymmetries- Gait dysfunctions produce imbalances or asymmetries in which one side of the body works harder and more often than the other to complete an athletic task.
- Lack of strength, endurance and freedom of mobility: Gait dysfunction may be indicated by weakness, fatigue and restriction of movement at the joint level.
These are only a few possible gait symptoms; if you suspect your walking has changed, contact your physical therapist for further evaluation.
Treatment Of Gait Dysfunction
Gait improvement can be achieved through physical therapy by following this treatment strategy:
Create a 10-15 minute warm-up routine.
Warming up before a workout can help increase blood flow and elasticity in the body’s soft tissue structures. This is important for gait rehabilitation because it can help increase the range of motion and flexibility.
Work with a sports medicine team.
A sports medicine team will perform a Functional Movement Screen – a tool used to reveal asymmetries that cause functional movement deficiencies. The team will also perform gait analysis or foot mapping to look for gait dysfunction.
Once the underlying cause of gait dysfunction is addressed, the sports medicine team can create a cross-training and recovery program to allow the body to heal and prevent further damage.
Other Considerations To Prevent Gait Dysfunction
Shoe wear pattern: Avoid injury by examining your footwear for uneven wear patterns that can indicate a gait abnormality. If you wear shoes that have unequal amounts of wear on their soles, it may lead to an imbalance in your gait and cause injury.
Running surface: It’s important that runners run on a variety of surfaces to minimize stress injuries. Surfaces such as track, dirt path (trail) or grass are great options. The softer surfaces will reduce overall ground reaction forces placed on the body. Concrete, although easier to run on, is unforgiving.
Wearing the right shoe for your feet: It is possible to prevent, reduce or eliminate foot pain by wearing the right shoe. You can move more easily and well if you are not in pain.
Active recovery days: Don’t skip active recovery if you have just finished a vigorous workout. Take a stroll or ride your bike for 15 minutes. Yoga, stretching, and swimming are also options. Active recovery on rest days can help your muscles recover.
Avid Sports Medicine Can Help You Get Back On Your Feet Today!
Avid Sports Medicine is dedicated to helping people maintain their physical health through physical therapy. Our sports medicine team will work closely with you to create a treatment plan that addresses your specific needs and goals.
We are ready to help you regain your balance, improve your quality of life, and achieve your goals. If you are struggling with gait dysfunction, don’t hesitate to contact us or visit our website to learn more about our services.