Gait disturbances are abnormalities in gait, a person’s manner of walking. A normal gait is rhythmic, smooth and seemingly effortless. Weight is distributed evenly on both sides of the body and stride (distance between footsteps) is even. The heel is the first part of the foot to touch the ground and the first part to be lifted from the ground. Any change in this normal manner of walking (e.g., uneven weight distribution, uneven or erratic stride, abnormal step) is considered to be a gait disturbance.

Many factors, including nonpainful ones, interrupt normal gait. However, pain is a major cause of many gait disturbances. When normal walking involves pain or discomfort, individuals tend to compensate by altering their gait. A limp resulting from pain is the most common gait disturbance.

Abnormal gait can affect joints and cause or worsen existing problems. Stress and weight may be delivered unevenly, weakening a joint. This may worsen the gait disturbance, typically by producing more pain, causing a cycle of problems. Pain causes or worsens a gait disturbance which results in further pain and worsening of the disturbance.

A disturbance in gait may be obvious to any observer but may require a healthcare professional to determine the specific factors. Age may complicate the diagnosis of a gait problem. A child may exaggerate a limp for attention or may attempt to hide it. In the elderly, a certain gait disturbance, referred to as a senile gait, may indicate other difficulties.

It is important for continued or unexplained gait disturbances to be seen by a physician. The longer they are left untreated, the more difficult they may be to correct. They may also indicate a more serious problem that may need medical attention. For instance, limping in a child just learning to walk needs to be seen by a pediatrician as soon as possible because it may be indicate congenital or developmental problems.

For older juveniles and adults, many causes are minor and disappear overnight or within a few days. However, if they continue, a physician may recommend certain types of treatment to avoid placing too much stress on different parts of the body.