![]() “For example, it is quite common that patients will have poor balance and are unable to stand only on one leg. In addition, “weakness in the muscles around the hip and knee often occur in patients with arthritis,” Dr. ![]() This is called an antalgic gait,” she says, more commonly known as a limp. “When it hurts to put weight on your hip or knee, you will often unconsciously spend less time during the gait cycle bearing weight on that extremity, shortening the stance phase, which is usually 60 percent of gait. Hogan highlights a couple that are common among people with arthritis. “If you have arthritis in one of the foot joints, your gait will change or compensate to allow you to try and move more freely,” says Alan Bass, DPM, a board-certified podiatrist practicing in Manalapan, New Jersey, and a spokesman for the American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA).Īlthough there are many types of abnormal gaits, Dr. “Arthritis in your hips and knees affect your gait because of three factors: pain, stiffness, and weakness.” “There are two phases of gait: the stance phase, where your foot is on the ground and the swing phase, where the foot is off the ground,” says Kathleen Hogan, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at New Hampshire Orthopaedic Center in Nashua, New Hampshire who specializes in hip and knee arthritis. ![]() To understand how arthritis affects gait, first let’s look at the body mechanics involved in walking. What Is a ‘Gait’ and How Does Arthritis Affect It?Īrthritis in the lower part of your body, whether osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis, can change your gait, or how you walk. Managing the underlying disease, physical therapy to help correct your movements, and possibly using assistive devices or shoes can help you minimize changes to your gait and retain your independence and mobility. “It got to the point where my daughter would imitate my walk, which made me realize I needed some help.” “I found myself limping to avoid pain,” arthritis patient Lisa H. Having arthritis in your hips, knees, ankles, or feet can making walking harder - a side effect that can have consequences for your daily well-being and quality of life.
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