gait analysis
Systematic measurement and description of a patient's walking pattern, including kinematics, kinetics, and electromyographic data, used to guide rehabilitation planning.
Full Definition
Gait analysis is a structured clinical and/or instrumented assessment of a patient's locomotion pattern, capturing variables such as stride length, cadence, joint angles, ground reaction forces, and muscle activation timing. In rehabilitation settings it informs decisions about orthotic prescription, surgical intervention, or therapy protocols. Editors must distinguish between observational gait analysis (clinical, non-instrumented) and instrumented gait analysis (laboratory-based, using motion capture). The term should not be hyphenated as a noun phrase but is hyphenated as a compound modifier (e.g., 'gait-analysis laboratory'). Results are typically reported in a structured gait-analysis report.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish 'gait analysis' (assessment tool) from 'gait training' (therapeutic intervention). Do not use interchangeably.
In Context
- "The physiatrist ordered a full instrumented gait analysis before finalising the patient's orthotic prescription." — Rehabilitation assessment report
- "Observational gait analysis revealed a Trendelenburg sign consistent with hip abductor weakness." — Physiotherapy progress note