Gait

Step length of the involved leg is shortened d/t pain

Widened base of support, unsteady exaggerated movement

Circular motion to advance the leg, insufficient hip, knee, or ankle flexion

Walks on toes as if pushed, starts slowly then increases

Increased forward flexion of the trunk and knees, shuffling gait

• Foot is lifted excessively using hip/knee flexion d/t dorsiflexor weakness
• Foot slap on initial contact

Swing leg advances through elevation of the pelvis and plantar flexion of the stance leg

• Prosthetic: too short, lateral wall shape, medial wall too high, aligned in abduction
• Patient: poor balance, abduction contracture, short or painful limb, weak abductors on the prosthetic side

• Prosthetic: too long, lateral wall shape, medial wall too high, inadequate suspension, excessive knee friction
• Patient: Abduction contracture, weak hip flexors/adductors, adductor roll, pain on lateral side of limb

• Prosthetic: too long, excessive knee friction, socket too small, set in too much plantar flexion
• Patient: weak hip flexors, abduction contracture, painful anterior limb, unable to initiate prosthetic knee flexion

• Prosthetic: too long, socket set too far forward, excessive dorsiflexion
• Patient: weak quads, knee or hip flexion contracture, poor balance, anterior limb pain