Take a look at this gal.
Why does she have a cross over gait?
- note how much tibial varum she has (curvature of the tibial in the coronal plane)
- how much adduction of the right foot there is, potentially indicating a tight posterior compartment, or perhaps a loss of internal rotation of the right thigh
- the excessive posterior rotation of the left shoulder and upper body
- the subtle abduction of the right arm compared to the left
- the slight torso lean to the left
The correct answer is we don’t know until we examine her. Maybe is is there out of necessity or perhaps it is a more efficient running style for her. Here are some points:
Technical Issues with the crossover gait
The cross over gait may be:
- a more efficient running style
- a potential pathologic musculoskeletal motor pattern
- better for long distance runners
- a challenge to balance because of a narrower base of support
It may also be related to:
- a weak gluteus medius
- weak adductors
- excessive foot pronation
- lower extremity morpholgy (like tibial varum, forefoot varus)
- a weak vastus medialis
- a weak tibialis posterior
- and the list goes on
Join us, tomorrow, Wednesday evening, 8pm EST, 7 CST, 6 MST, 5PCT for an hour of crossover gait on chirocredit.com or onlinece.com for Biomechanics 316. We look forward to seeing you there..
The Gait Guys: Shawn and Ivo
