Physical examination maneuver

Physical Exam

Gait Assessment

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Video coming September 2026

How to Perform

Ask the patient to walk a short distance away from you, turn, and walk back at a natural pace. Observe the stance width, step length and symmetry, arm swing, posture, turning, and any limp, unsteadiness, or involuntary movements.

How to Interpret

This test’s findings are all below your current evidence filter.

References

Clegg A, Rogers L, Young J. Diagnostic test accuracy of simple instruments for identifying frailty in community-dwelling older people: a systematic review. Age Ageing. 2015;44(1):148-152. PMID 25355618.
Bickley LS, Szilagyi PG, Hoffman RM, Soriano RP. Bates' Guide to Physical Examination and History Taking. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021.
Swartz MH. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025.

Related Diagnoses

Related Chief Complaints

Abdominal Distension Abnormal Movements Arm Weakness Back Pain Balance Problems Bladder Problems Breast Tenderness Burning Feet Clumsiness Cognitive Decline Confusion Constipation Developmental Delay Difficulty Climbing Stairs Difficulty Lifting the Arm Difficulty Lifting the Foot Difficulty Rising From a Chair Difficulty Speaking Difficulty Walking Difficulty with Daily Tasks Dizziness Double Vision Drooling Electric Shock with Neck Bending Eye Pain with Movement Facial Droop Fatigue Food Cravings Foot Deformity Foot Drop Foot Numbness Foot Pain Frequent Falls Frequent Tripping Frequent Urination Groin Pain Hand Clumsiness Headache High Arches Hip Pain Hip Stiffness Hip Weakness Leg Aching Leg Cramps Leg Discomfort Leg Numbness Leg Pain Leg Swelling Leg Weakness Limp Loss of Consciousness Loss of Coordination Loss of Sensation Loss of Smell Low Energy Lower Extremity Pain Memory Loss Missed Period Muscle Stiffness Nausea and Vomiting Numbness Numbness on One Side Numbness on Top of the Foot Pain with Hip Rotation Personality Change Pins and Needles Resting Tremor Sciatica Seizure Severe Pain Shooting Leg Pain Shoulder Weakness Shuffling Gait Slapping Gait Slow Walking Slowness of Movement Slurred Speech Small Handwriting Soft Voice Spasticity Stiffness Sudden Numbness Sudden Vision Loss Sudden Weakness Tingling Tingling in the Leg Tremor Tripping Unintentional Weight Loss Unsteady Gait Urinary Incontinence Vision Changes Vision Loss in One Eye Weak Ankles Weakness Weakness on One Side Worse Balance in the Dark

Related Systems / Regions

Related Bedside Tests

🎬Video coming Sept 2026

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Rule out:SHUpper Motor Neuron Lesion, IEMotor Neuron Disease (ALS), IEMultiple Sclerosis +2 more

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aka Heel-to-toe walking

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