Steppage gait explained

Steppage gait (high stepping, neuropathic gait) is a form of gait abnormality characterised by foot drop or ankle equinus due to loss of dorsiflexion.^[1] The foot hangs with the toes pointing down, causing the toes to scrape the ground while walking, requiring someone to lift the leg higher than normal when walking.^{[2] [3] [4]}

Foot drop can be caused by damage to the deep fibular nerve.^[5]

Conditions associated with a steppage gait

• Foot drop
• Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease
• Polio
• Multiple sclerosis
• Syphilis
• Guillain–Barré syndrome
• Spinal disc herniation
• Anterior Compartment Muscle Atrophy
• Deep fibular nerve injury
• Spondylolisthesis
• Slipped Femoral Epiphysis
• ALS/PLS

External links

• A video of a neuropathic gait

Notes and References

1. Web site: Definition: steppage gait from Online Medical Dictionary .
2. Web site: Walking abnormalities. MedlinePlus. 23 March 2013.
3. http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=22477 Med Terms
4. http://www.gpnotebook.co.uk/simplepage.cfm?ID=1966407688&linkID=205&cook=yes GP Notebook
5. Book: Saint, Sanjay . Wiese, Jeff . Bent, Stephen . Clinical clerkships: the answer book . Lippincott Williams & Wilkins . Hagerstown, MD . 2006 . 219 . 0-7817-3754-0 .