From the Guidelines
An antalgic gait is a walking pattern characterized by a limp that develops as a protective mechanism to avoid pain in a lower extremity. This gait pattern is often seen in individuals who experience pain while bearing weight on a leg, foot, or hip, and as a result, they instinctively shorten the time spent on the painful limb during the stance phase of walking, as observed in a patient with osteoarthritis of the knee who walked with a minimally antalgic gait on the left side without the use of an assistive device 1. The antalgic gait pattern typically includes a shortened stride length, decreased time spent on the affected limb, and often a visible dip or lean of the upper body toward the affected side when weight-bearing occurs. Some key characteristics of an antalgic gait include:
- A limp or uneven walking pattern
- Shortened stride length on the affected side
- Decreased time spent on the affected limb during the stance phase of walking
- Visible dip or lean of the upper body toward the affected side when weight-bearing occurs Common causes of an antalgic gait include acute injuries like sprains or fractures, arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, peripheral neuropathy, or other conditions affecting joints, muscles, or nerves in the lower extremities. Treatment of an antalgic gait focuses on addressing the underlying cause of pain, such as osteoarthritis of the knee, which may involve surgical management, including total knee arthroplasty, as well as preoperative and postoperative management strategies, including weight loss, physical therapy, and pain management 1. Once the underlying cause of pain is adequately managed, the antalgic gait pattern typically resolves.
From the Research
Definition of Antalgic Gait
- Antalgic gait is a type of gait abnormality characterized by a limp, typically resulting from pain in the lower extremities or hip [(2,3,4)].
- It is often described as a slow and uneven forward progression with lateral lurching toward the painful side 2.
Characteristics of Antalgic Gait
- Asymmetry in stride and temporal components 2.
- Abnormalities in the displacement patterns of most body segments 2.
- Subnormal knee motion during the stance and swing phases 2.
- Limitation of hip extension before toe-off in the late stance phase 5.
- Increased hip flexion at heel strike, leading to an increased load on the affected side 5.
Association with Pain and Other Conditions
- Antalgic gait is often associated with hip pain, osteoarthritis, and other conditions that cause pain in the lower extremities [(3,6,5,4)].
- The gait pattern may be altered in individuals with mild-to-moderate hip osteoarthritis, but these alterations may not be directly related to pain 6.
- Antalgic gait can be a symptom of various conditions, including slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) 4 and transient osteoporosis of the hip 3.