Way in which a person walks.
The manner in which a person walks. Problems with gait can be a sign of an orthopedic problem or of neurological disease. A gait that is unsteady or uncoordinated may be caused by muscle spasms and nerve damage that were caused by problems such as a cerebral palsy, stroke, ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, head trauma, brain abscess, or brain tumor. A person who staggers may be intoxicated with alcohol or drugs, or he or she may have a cerebellar disease. It is important to diagnose and treat the underlying causes of gait problems.
The way in which an individual walks. Gait may be affected by inherited disorders; by illness, and especially neurological disorders; by injury; or by drugs and alcohol abuse. Children, as a rule, begin to walk between the ages of 12 and 18 months, having learned to stand before the end of the first year. If a normal-sized child shows no ability to make movements by 20 months, he or she should be checked to make sure there is no potential disabling condition present, such as cerebral palsy.
Gait refers to the way or pattern in which a person walks, which can differ from one individual to another. An abnormal gait, or any unusual alteration in the walking style, might be indicative of a neuromuscular or brain disorder, such as Parkinson’s disease. By observing changes in a person’s gait, healthcare professionals can gain valuable insights into their neurological and muscular health.