From the Greek “against the pain,” this is a “limp” caused by discomfort on weight bearing. It is an
antalgic strategy used by patients with either hyperesthesia (from neurologic disease) or pain in one
of the weight-bearing joints (hips, knees, ankles, or just the bottom of the feet). The latter is very common,
since by age 75, 85% of the population exhibit osteoarthritic changes of the large joints. These can all
present in a unique (and diagnostic) fashion:
Gonarthrosis is associated with knee stiffness and inability to flex or extend the leg during gait.
Coxarthrosis causes instead a coxalgic gait,characterized by a limited range of hip extension and
a “lateral (or adductor) lurch.” This is an excessive lateral shift of the patient’s upper body toward the
affected side when standing on the painful limb, which effectively relocates the center of gravity, thus
reducing the the weight load.
Finally, if the pain originates in the foot, there will be an incomplete (and very gentle) contact with the
ground.
Whatever the source of pain, antalgic gaits are all characterized by very short stance on the affected leg,
which is placed gingerly on the floor and lifted almost immediately, with weight rapidly redistributed to the
normal leg.
antalgic strategy used by patients with either hyperesthesia (from neurologic disease) or pain in one
of the weight-bearing joints (hips, knees, ankles, or just the bottom of the feet). The latter is very common,
since by age 75, 85% of the population exhibit osteoarthritic changes of the large joints. These can all
present in a unique (and diagnostic) fashion:
Gonarthrosis is associated with knee stiffness and inability to flex or extend the leg during gait.
Coxarthrosis causes instead a coxalgic gait,characterized by a limited range of hip extension and
a “lateral (or adductor) lurch.” This is an excessive lateral shift of the patient’s upper body toward the
affected side when standing on the painful limb, which effectively relocates the center of gravity, thus
reducing the the weight load.
Finally, if the pain originates in the foot, there will be an incomplete (and very gentle) contact with the
ground.
Whatever the source of pain, antalgic gaits are all characterized by very short stance on the affected leg,
which is placed gingerly on the floor and lifted almost immediately, with weight rapidly redistributed to the
normal leg.