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Suggest Remedy For Trendelenburg Gait
Question: I have had both of my hips replaced. After the right side replacement I developed a serious infection that required removal of the joint and the insertion of a spacer for almost 6 months. After the removal of the spacer and reintroduction of the right hip, I now walk with almost a penguin type gait. The orthopedist has told me that after an undetermined amount of time, my legs will even out. In the mean time the way I walk is effecting my lower back, my balance and general mobility. I'm told that this is "normal", but I don't believe it. What type of doctor do I need to see that can help me with proper shoes and lifts?
Brief Answer:
Muscle weakness
Detailed Answer:
hi,
thanks for your question.
the penguin type walk you describe is called a trendelenberg gait. It is likely due to weakness of the muscles around your hip in particular the abductor muscles.
a physiotherapist could show you specific exercises that would strengthen these muscles and help you improve the way you are walking.
special shoes, lifts and orthotics would likely not be of benefit unless you had a significant (over 2cm) difference in your leg lengths or a foot problem.
using a cane on the side opposite your most recent hip surgery and putting the cane forward with your affected leg to take a step would likely improve your gait and help with the pain you are experiencing in other locations. you would use the cane until your muscles were strong enough to stop you lurching.
I hope this answers your question.
best wishes
Muscle weakness
Detailed Answer:
hi,
thanks for your question.
the penguin type walk you describe is called a trendelenberg gait. It is likely due to weakness of the muscles around your hip in particular the abductor muscles.
a physiotherapist could show you specific exercises that would strengthen these muscles and help you improve the way you are walking.
special shoes, lifts and orthotics would likely not be of benefit unless you had a significant (over 2cm) difference in your leg lengths or a foot problem.
using a cane on the side opposite your most recent hip surgery and putting the cane forward with your affected leg to take a step would likely improve your gait and help with the pain you are experiencing in other locations. you would use the cane until your muscles were strong enough to stop you lurching.
I hope this answers your question.
best wishes
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
I've done 3 full rounds of PT, and was told by the therapist and the Dr., that this would improve over time and the legs would eventually become the same length. I'm finding this hard to believe, but have nothing else to go on. Is the doctor you're recommending different from anyone I saw at PT?
Thank you
Thank you
Brief Answer:
Leg length discrepancy discussed
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your follow up question. If you truely do have a difference in the length of your legs then you may be helped by a shoe raise. Usually 1cm can be put inside the shoe as part of an orthotic. The rest of the correction would need to be added to the shoe. More than 2cm on the shoe often looks odd and can make the foot a little unstable. The whole difference does not need to be made up to improve your gait, for example, someone with a 3cm leg length difference may put 1cm in the shoe of the short leg and 1cm on the shoe correcting to within a 1cm.
Sometimes it is worth an opinion and some treatment from a second PT if you dont feel you have made progress. The excercises that you are shown by the PT need to be done at least twice a day for 20 minutes to have any effect on your function.
Have you tried using the cane mentioned in my previous answer. This may improve your gait considerably in the interim before you get the strength back in the muscles around the hip joint.
I hope this further answers your question.
Best wishes
Leg length discrepancy discussed
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for your follow up question. If you truely do have a difference in the length of your legs then you may be helped by a shoe raise. Usually 1cm can be put inside the shoe as part of an orthotic. The rest of the correction would need to be added to the shoe. More than 2cm on the shoe often looks odd and can make the foot a little unstable. The whole difference does not need to be made up to improve your gait, for example, someone with a 3cm leg length difference may put 1cm in the shoe of the short leg and 1cm on the shoe correcting to within a 1cm.
Sometimes it is worth an opinion and some treatment from a second PT if you dont feel you have made progress. The excercises that you are shown by the PT need to be done at least twice a day for 20 minutes to have any effect on your function.
Have you tried using the cane mentioned in my previous answer. This may improve your gait considerably in the interim before you get the strength back in the muscles around the hip joint.
I hope this further answers your question.
Best wishes
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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