Pathological Gait
Any abnormal walking pattern resulting from neurological, musculoskeletal, or structural impairment that deviates from normal biomechanical norms.
Full Definition
Pathological gait is a broad clinical descriptor applied to walking deviations caused by conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, Parkinson's disease, limb deformity, or musculoskeletal injury. In orthotics documentation, the term frames the clinical indication for a device—distinguishing, for example, Trendelenburg gait from scissor gait or steppage gait. Editors must ensure that specific gait deviation terms are used accurately and that the diagnosis driving the gait pattern is clearly linked to the orthotic prescription. The term appears frequently in gait analysis reports, rehabilitation plans, and medicolegal narratives.
Usage
Usage note: When editing, ensure the specific gait pattern (e.g., steppage, Trendelenburg, scissor) is named where possible rather than relying solely on the generic term.
In Context
- "The gait analysis report documented pathological gait characterised by excessive knee flexion during the stance phase." — Gait analysis report
- "Editors should not substitute 'abnormal gait' for 'pathological gait' without confirming the author's intended meaning, as they differ in clinical register." — Clinical copy-editing note