Vaulting
A prosthetic gait deviation in which the user rises onto the toe of the sound limb to create clearance for a prosthetic foot that is too long or lacks adequate ankle motion.
Full Definition
Vaulting is a compensatory gait deviation observed during the swing phase of walking, characterised by excessive plantar flexion (tiptoeing) of the intact or sound limb. It is typically caused by inadequate toe clearance of the prosthetic limb due to excessive socket length, insufficient prosthetic ankle dorsiflexion, or an improperly aligned foot unit. Editors encounter the term in gait analysis reports, clinical documentation, and prosthetics outcome literature. It must be distinguished from other swing-phase deviations such as circumduction and hip hiking. The term is used as a noun ('vaulting was observed') and should not be confused with the athletic term.
Usage
Usage note: Use as an uncountable noun in clinical contexts: 'vaulting was noted,' not 'a vaulting was noted.' Distinguish clearly from circumduction in editorial corrections to gait analysis reports.
In Context
- "The gait analysis report noted vaulting of the right sound limb during prosthetic swing phase, suggesting the prosthetic foot was set at excessive plantar flexion." — Gait analysis report
- "The editor queried whether the term 'vaulting' had been confused with 'circumduction' in the physical therapy note." — Editorial query log