Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

 (432) 332-2663















REQUEST AN APPOINTMENT

BILL PAY

  • Home
  • Meet the Team
    • Bradley W Dyrstad, MD
    • Matthew Brown, MD
    • John E. Swope, PA-C
  • Specialties & Services
    • General Orthopedics
    • Sports Medicine
    • Joint Replacement Reconstruction
    • Fractures & Injuries
    • Health & Wellness
    • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy for Pain
  • Patient Information
  • Community Involvement
  • Contact Us
search

Patient Education Article

Rehabilitation - Gait Training

Back to Patient Education
  • Introduction
  • Treatment

Introduction

Gait refers to the manner in which you ambulate or walk.  A safe gait is necessary for independent living and the prevention of falls and injuries.  Strength, endurance, motion, balance, and coordination are all components of an effective gait.  These factors can be impaired or limited as the result of injury; neurological disorders, such as stroke or traumatic brain injury; orthopedic conditions, such as broken bones or joint problems; medical conditions, including arthritis; and leg amputation.  In rehabilitation, “gait training” refers to therapies to help you walk after you have experienced a circumstance that affects your ambulation.

Back to top

Treatment

Your doctor can refer you to a physical therapist for gait training.  Your physical therapist will work with your doctor to determine treatments that are appropriate for you and that are designed to meet your goals.  Physical therapy can help restore your strength, endurance, motion, balance, and coordination.  Your loved ones and caregivers are welcome at your therapy sessions so that they can be trained to assist you, if necessary.

At your initial evaluation, your physical therapist will examine your arms and legs.  Measurements will be taken to see how far you can move your joints and how strong your muscles are.  Your therapist will assess your balance and posture while you are sitting and standing.  He or she will look for signs of sores, deformities, or swelling. 

You should tell your physical therapist about your symptoms, concerns, and specific goals.  Your therapist will ask you about your home and work environment to find out about the type of surfaces you need to walk on and how many steps you have to go up or down.  Your therapist will create a treatment plan that incorporates your goals for functional improvement and independence.

Components of gait training vary and depend on the type of condition you have, the extent of your condition, and your goals.  It is common for therapy to include strengthening and stretching exercises.  Your physical therapist may fabricate an orthosis or brace to provide support to your ankle while you walk.  Your physical therapist can help you learn to walk with leg braces or a prosthetic device.  Additionally, your physical therapist can issue walking aids such as canes or walkers to help with balance.

It is helpful to have a physical therapist and an occupational therapist perform a home evaluation.  They will assess your ability to maneuver in your home and make recommendations for safe ambulation, such as removing cords or throw rugs from the floor.  An occupational therapist can recommend durable medical equipment, such as a bedside commode, to help you maintain your independence as your function improves.  As your abilities improve, your physical therapist will upgrade your program to match your new skills and goals.

Back to top

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Footer

Advanced Techniques with Smith & Nephew

We offer patient-specific and robotic-assisted procedures designed to custom fit your joint replacement parts to your unique anatomical structures.

LEARN MORE

Patient Education & Videos

Our award-winning online library is complete with procedure videos, preventive tips, and everything else you ever wanted to know about orthopedic and sports medicine conditions.

LEARN MORE

Home
Meet the Team
Patient Information
Contact Us

SERVICES & SPECIALTIES
General Orthopedic
Sports Medicine
Fractures & Injuries
Health & Wellness

HIPAA Privacy Policy
Transparency in Coverage Rule
Sitemap

Basin Orthopedic Surgical Specialists
#1 Parks Legado Court
Odessa, TX 79765
Phone: (432) 332-2663
Fax: (432) 335-8849 or (432) 337-0910

Basin Orthopedic Surgical Specialists BBB Business Review

Copyright © Basin Orthopedic Surgical Specialists. All Rights Reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

We at Basin Orthopedic Surgical Specialists are the largest orthopedic and sports medicine private practice in Odessa / Midland area. We provide surgical procedures, including the latest in minimally invasive surgery, X-ray and ultrasound-guided joint injections, same-day trauma care for sports injuries, Total & Partial Knee Replacement, Acute Fracture Care, Sports Medicine, Minimally Invasive Surgery