The Reason You’re Having Trouble Walking
Our gait, or walking pattern, is something we take for granted. When you have a foot condition that impacts how you walk, it can significantly impact your mobility and quality of life. We at The Foot & Ankle Center of Maryland are here to explain the many reasons why you’re having trouble walking and what you can do about it.
Gait Abnormalities Throughout Life
In children, gait abnormalities often stem from developmental issues. In-toeing or out-toeing, toe walking, or an unsteady gait can be signs of underlying conditions like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, or developmental dysplasia of the hip.
Parents, we advise you to be on the lookout. The earlier we intervene, the easier it is to guide your child’s development into adulthood.
Teenagers may experience gait abnormalities due to sports injuries, growth spurts, or biomechanical issues. Overuse injuries like Achilles tendonitis or stress fractures can alter their gait to avoid pain. Scoliosis or leg length discrepancies can also contribute to an uneven stride.
As we age, we frequently develop gait abnormalities due to acquired conditions. Arthritis (particularly in the ankle or foot) can lead to a limping gait. Peripheral neuropathy, often associated with diabetes, can also cause a shuffling or unsteady gait due to decreased sensation and muscle weakness.
When you become a senior, you are more susceptible to gait abnormalities due to age-related changes. Osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and neurological conditions like Parkinson's disease can significantly affect your gait. A shuffling gait, decreased step length, and increased risk of falls are all common concerns.
Foot and Ankle Conditions Contributing to Gait Problems
Many walking problems (but not all) develop as the body’s response to protect the affected area from the pressure of your weight:
Plantar Fasciitis: Heel pain can lead to an altered gait to avoid putting weight on the affected heel.
Achilles Tendonitis: Pain and stiffness in the Achilles tendon can cause a limping gait or difficulty pushing off during walking.
Ankle Arthritis: Joint pain and stiffness can limit ankle mobility and result in a shuffling or uneven gait.
Flat Feet or High Arches: These biomechanical issues can affect weight distribution and lead to abnormal pronation or supination.
Bunions and Hammertoes: These deformities can cause pain and discomfort, leading to altered gait patterns to avoid pressure on the affected areas.
Neuromas: Pain and numbness between the toes can cause an altered gait to avoid pressure on the affected nerves.
Ankle Sprains and Fractures: These injuries can lead to temporary or permanent gait changes due to pain, instability, and limited mobility.
Treatment for Gait Abnormalities
Treatment for gait abnormalities centers on a holistic and individualized approach that addresses the root cause. It is tailored to the patient's age, underlying condition, and severity of the abnormality and may include orthotics, physical therapy exercises to strengthen and improve flexibility, pain management techniques, and, in some cases, surgical intervention.
Want to fix your foot and ankle problems? Contact the office of Dr. Ross Cohen of The Foot & Ankle Center of Maryland in Glen Burnie, MD, at (410) 761-3501 to schedule your initial appointment. We look forward to meeting you!