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Friday, August 26, 2011

Basics of Gait Evaluation: Lower Legs

As you watch someone walk, you proceed from the head, to the shoulders, to the arms, to the hips , then the knees, and on to the lower legs. As the green outline shows, it is ideal to have the legs straight with the knees centered over the ankles. It is so important with this assessment to make independent observations of the right side from the left side. Old injuries can produce calf size asymmetry (even when my chart above truly shows I can not spell). This asymmetry can greatly effects leg function. The tilts in the legs (tibial varum or tibial valgum) can be much different allowing the feet and ankles to behave differently.




The video above shows tibial varum causing a varus tilt to the ankle which greatly effects how the foot and ankle align with the rest of the body. 

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Thank you very much for leaving a comment. Due to my time restraints, some comments may not be answered.I will answer questions that I feel will help the community as a whole.. I can only answer medical questions in a general form. No specific answers can be given. Please consult a podiatrist, therapist, orthopedist, or sports medicine physician in your area for specific questions.