Gait disorder in toddlers

The development of a gait disorder is not uncommon in children and infants. Often they occur in the course of development and also disappear again, as is the case with a coxa antetorta, for example.It affects about 15% of the children. Here the legs are rotated slightly inwards.

This gait disorder almost always recedes. Partly, however, there is a cause requiring treatment. Most causes in child/infant are of an orthopedic nature.

The gait disorders are often accompanied by hip or knee pain. A congenital, undiscovered hip dysplasia leads to movement-dependent pain and a typical limping or waddling gait in small children. Perthes disease, in which the femoral head is affected in the child, also causes a limping, painful gait disorder.

In older children, a newly occurring gait disorder can be an expression of a detachment of the femoral epiphysis (epiphysiolysis capitis femoris). In addition, a gait disorder in children or infants can be caused by congenital malpositions of the feet, legs or hips. Any gait disorder in a child or infant should be detected and treated quickly in order to avoid permanent damage caused by constant incorrect weight bearing and thus promote normal development.

Gait disorder in old age

Often a gait disorder manifests itself for the first time in old age. In addition to the difficulty of walking, the increased risk of falling is a particular problem, as the bones become more susceptible to fractures with age. This form of gait disorder can have various causes.

Neurological diseases such as a stroke, which leads to paralysis, or Parkinson’s disease can often be the trigger for the onset of the disease pattern. In addition, injuries to the spinal cord, e.g. due to a fracture of a vertebral body or brain tumors, should also always be considered. However, the most common causes of gait disorders in old age are of an orthopaedic nature, in which bones and muscles are damaged.

These include arthrosis, a wear-related degeneration of joints, especially in the hip or knee. The joints can no longer be loaded without restrictions and thus hinder the gait pattern. Rheumatic-related restrictions can also promote gait disorders.

Frequent clinical manifestations are limping, shuffling or dragging a leg. A weakened musculature is also often the cause of a gait disorder. Depending on the cause, the underlying disease must be treated and the gait pattern stabilized by professional physiotherapy