Gait

GAIT. GAIT. GAIT.

Gait is NOT "how far did they walk", that is locomotion.  This is differentiated in the Guide to PT Practice, but NOT differentiated enough by physical therapists.

Gait is the process of moving the body forward to achieve the stages learned in the RGA (Ranchos Gait Assessment).  HOW FAR SOMEONE GOES is not a function of skill or quality as much as it is 1) cardiorespiratory support  2)  muscular endurance  3) skill/conditioning of the therapist assisting the patient

Assessment of gait is the goal of understanding how the impairments and strategy deficits contribute to the dysfunctions of gait. This is done, as with other tasks, in a test-re-test format.

Ideally, assessment of gait DOES NOT happen with a device.  As soon as you provide a device, you are now assessing dual tasking, divided attention, UE coordination and control and cognitive ability to sequence and appropriately use the device. It is not longer about stance and swing, because the device ALTERS this ability.  CAVEAT: Surgical patients, possibly amputees and folks who have ONLY used a device for a long time can be assessed with a device.  But your standard patient with a stroke on their first inpatient rehab evaluation should NOT be assessed with a device (if they didn't use one before)

Watch the following videos to get an idea of body position, facilitation and purpose.