Unsteady gait, or abnormal gait, can have various causes, including trauma, alcohol abuse, and certain diseases. Elderly people and those with health conditions are at greater risk. There are six types of gait problems, each with its own characteristics, and treatment depends on the underlying cause.
There are a number of causes of unsteady gait, also known as abnormal gait. Causes of unsteady gait can include trauma to the spine or central nervous system, long-term alcohol abuse, and manganese or carbon monoxide poisoning. Some diseases, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Guillain-Barre syndrome, can cause an unsteady or abnormal gait. There are generally considered to be at least six different types of gait problems, each with its own distinct characteristics. The characteristics of an abnormal gait can vary, depending on the causes of the gait disturbance from one individual to another.
Problems with gait are common, especially among the elderly and those with various health conditions. Older adults may be at greater risk of developing walking problems, as balance, stability and flexibility often naturally decline with age. Many of the gait disturbances seen in the elderly may result from unconscious attempts to modify the gait in order to gain more balance and stability while walking. Other people at risk for gait disturbances include those with Parkinson’s disease, cerebral palsy, Guillain-Barre syndrome, muscular dystrophy, and congenital hip dysplasia. People suffering from disease or trauma affecting the muscles, joints or central nervous system may also be at increased risk for gait disturbances.
Not all causes of unsteady gait are serious. Muscle pain, shin splints, corns, calluses, and ingrown toenails can all contribute to an unsteady gait. Uncomfortable shoes can also lead to gait abnormalities.
The various types of unsteady gait may be distinctive enough in their characteristics and causes that they have been categorized. The stepping gait, for example, is usually marked by a dangling foot that allows the toes to drag the ground. The scissor gait, often seen in patients with cerebral palsy, gives the walker a somewhat crouched appearance and allows the upper legs to flap together or cross over each other like a scissor.
The waddling gait is often described as duck-like, while the spastic gait can cause the walker to move stiffly and drag the feet. The propulsive gait, often found in those afflicted with carbon monoxide poisoning, manganese poisoning, Parkinson’s disease, or certain side effects of prescription drugs, usually leaves the walker hunched over and inflexible, with the head chronically bowed. A sixth type of gait, ataxic gait, usually results from brain damage, possibly from stroke, long-term alcoholism, diabetic neuropathy, or the use of certain prescription drugs, such as those prescribed to treat seizures.
Treatment for unsteady gait often depends largely on its cause. Injuries to muscles or joints, or conditions such as arthritis that affect muscles or joints, can lead to an unsteady gait, but gait problems generally improve when the underlying condition is treated or resolved. Physical therapy can help improve gait abnormalities for those suffering from chronic conditions that cannot be fully resolved.
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