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An antalgic gait is a change in walking pattern to avoid pain, often caused by injury. It can lead to increased pain and abnormal shoe wear. Treatment includes pain management, physical therapy, and mobility aids. Early treatment is important to prevent further injury and complications.
An antalgic gait is a change in a person’s gait associated with an effort to avoid pain by shortening the gait on the injured side. This gait abnormality can occur in people with a variety of injuries, and people may not be aware that they are experiencing gait changes, as the onset is often subtle. Treatment requires determining where the pain is and dealing with it. Patients may also be given tools such as canes and walkers to distribute their weight and reduce pain as they walk.
In an antalgic gait, people are reluctant to put too much weight on the injured side of the body. They shorten the stride on that side to limit the pressure. Over time, this can cause increased pain, as deviating from the normal gait often injures the ankle, knee, and hip. This can make the gait more noticeable, as the body can twist in extreme cases as the patient’s gait adapts to reduce the amount of pain felt.
Individuals who develop an antalgic gait may notice symptoms such as stiffness on the affected side of the body, along with abnormal shoe wear. Those around the patient commonly observe the change in gait, as the patient will develop a limp. The underlying pain leading to the gait change may also be evident and may increase when the patient’s body is stressed.
Gait analysis by someone familiar with the normal range of human gaits can identify an antalgic gait. A physical exam can be used to look for the initial injury that caused the patient to start lameness. Pain management medications, physical therapy, and surgery may all be treatment options, depending on the nature of the injury. The patient may also need physical therapy and gait training to learn to walk more comfortably. If a mobility aid such as a cane is needed, the patient can receive training on how to use it correctly and safely.
It is important to receive treatment in the early stages of injuries that cause people discomfort when walking. Maladaptive changes in gait such as an antalgic gait can exacerbate the original injury, as well as lead to other problems, as they put stress on the spine and joints causing them to move in a way they did not evolve. The longer patients wait for treatment, the longer the recovery will take and the higher the risk of permanent complications.
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