Muscles of the Lower Limb in Walking PDF

MUSCLES OF THE LOWER LIMB IN WALKING  Gait Cycle - Definitions: Normal Gait = *Series of rhythmical , alternating movements of the trunk & limbs which result in the forward progression of the center of gravity *series of ‘controlled falls’  Walking: The Gait Cycle * Locomotion is...

MUSCLES OF THE LOWER LIMB IN WALKING  Gait Cycle - Definitions: Normal Gait = *Series of rhythmical , alternating movements of the trunk & limbs which result in the forward progression of the center of gravity *series of ‘controlled falls’  Walking: The Gait Cycle * Locomotion is a complex function. * The movement of the lower limb during walking could be divided into alternating swing and stance phase. * The gait cycle consists of one cycle of swing and stance by one limb. * The stance phase begins with heel strike, when the heel strikes the ground and contineus to assume the body's full weight (loading response), and ends with push off from the forefoot a result of plantar flexion. * The swing phase begins after push off when the toes leave the ground and ends when the heel strikes the ground. * The swing phase occupies approximately 40% of the walking cycle and the stance phase, 60%.  Phases of walking * There are five stages to walking: 1. Heel-strike 2. Support 3. Toe-off 4. Leg lift 5. Swing ❖ This where the foot hits the ground, heel first. Heel-Str ike The gluteus maximus acts on the hip to decelerate the flexion The quadriceps maintains the extended position of the knee The muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg keep the ankle dorsi flexed ❖ The other leg lifts off the Support ground, so the weight of the body must be supported by one leg. The quadriceps maintains the extended position of the knee The ankle is kept stable by the balanced contraction of the inverters and everters The pelvis is tilted down by the gluteus medius and minimus, and by the tensor In this phase, the foot prepares to leave the ground, heel first, toes Toe-Off last. (Push-o The hamstring muscles flex the ff) knee The ankle is plantar flexed by the muscles in the posterior compartment of the leg ❖ This is where the lower limb Leg Lift and the foot are raised in preparation for the swing stage The iliopsoas and rectus femoris flex the lower limb at the hip The knee is flexed by the hamstrings The ankle is dorsi flexed by the muscles in the anterior compartment of ❖ This phase is where the forward motion of the walk occurs Swing The iliopsoas and rectus femoris keep the hip flexed The knee is now extended by the quadriceps The ankle is still dorsi flexed by the muscles in the anterior compartment of the leg. ❖ Next, the heel hits the ground, and the whole cycle starts again. The Gait Cycle  COMMON GAIT ABNORMALITIES A. Antalgic Gait. pain B. Lateral Trunk bending. Trendelenburg C. Functional Leg-Length Discrepancy D. Increased Walking Base. Ataxia E. Inadequate Dorsiflexion Control. foot drop *The Trendelenburg sign is Trendelenberg where the pelvis drops on the raised limb. This signifies Sign and Gait that the abductor muscles on (Gluteal gait) the standing limb are greatly weakened or paralysed. *With bilateral weakness, you will have dropping of the pelvis on both sides during walking leading to waddling. This gait is seen in patient with myopathies, such as muscular dystrophy. *The deep fibular nerve innervates the muscles in the Foot Drop anterior compartment of the leg. These muscles dorsi flex the foot, which is needed during the swing phase *If the deep fibular nerve is damaged, then the foot cannot be dorsi flexed, and drags along the ground during the swing phase. To try and dorsi flex the foot during the swing phase, the patient may evert the foot in a sudden motion, called an ‘eversion flick’ ThanK You