Which gait pattern requires the affected leg to be non-weight-bearing and uses bilateral assistive devices?

Which gait pattern requires the affected leg to be non-weight-bearing and uses bilateral assistive devices?

• A. Modified 3-point gait
• B. 4-point gait
• C. 3-point gait
• D. Modified 4-point gait

Answer: (C)

The pattern described is three-point gait. In this gait, the leg that cannot bear weight is kept off the floor while the body is supported by two bilateral devices (crutches or a walker). You move the devices and the involved leg forward together, then step through with the healthy leg. This transfers the weight load to the devices and the uninjured limb, protecting the affected leg. The other gait patterns don’t meet the criteria: four-point gait uses one device per step and distributes weight across all limbs in a slower diagonal sequence, so the affected leg isn’t completely non-weight-bearing. Modified versions change the number of devices or the weight-bearing pattern but don’t require the involved limb to be entirely non-weight-bearing with bilateral devices.

The pattern described is three-point gait. In this gait, the leg that cannot bear weight is kept off the floor while the body is supported by two bilateral devices (crutches or a walker). You move the devices and the involved leg forward together, then step through with the healthy leg. This transfers the weight load to the devices and the uninjured limb, protecting the affected leg.

The other gait patterns don’t meet the criteria: four-point gait uses one device per step and distributes weight across all limbs in a slower diagonal sequence, so the affected leg isn’t completely non-weight-bearing. Modified versions change the number of devices or the weight-bearing pattern but don’t require the involved limb to be entirely non-weight-bearing with bilateral devices.