Walking Problems

Summary

What are walking problems?

If you are like most people, you walk thousands of steps each day. You walk to do your daily activities, get around, and exercise. It’s something that you usually don’t think about. But for those people who have a problem with walking, daily life can be more difficult.

Walking problems may cause you to:

• Walk with your head and neck bent over
• Drag, drop, or shuffle your feet
• Have irregular, jerky movements when walking
• Take smaller steps
• Waddle
• Walk more slowly or stiffly

What causes walking problems?

The pattern of how you walk is called your gait. Many different diseases and conditions can affect your gait and lead to problems with walking. They include:

• Abnormal development of the muscles or bones of your legs or feet
• Arthritis of the hips, knees, ankles, or feet
• Cerebellar disorders, which are disorders of the area of the brain that controls coordination and balance
• Foot problems, including corns and calluses, sores, and warts
• Infections
• Injuries, such as fractures (broken bones), sprains, and tendinitis
• Movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease
• Neurologic diseases, including multiple sclerosis and peripheral nerve disorders
• Vision problems

How is the cause of a walking problem diagnosed?

To make a diagnosis, your health care provider will ask about your medical history and do a physical exam. This will include checking your bones and muscles and doing a neurological exam. In some cases, you may have other tests, such as lab or imaging tests.

What are the treatments for walking problems?

Treatment of walking problems depends on the cause. Some common types of treatments include:

• Medicines
• Mobility aids
• Physical therapy
• Surgery

Specifics

• Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot) American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• Chronic Ankle Instability American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• Equinus American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• Flexible Flatfoot American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• Foot Drop Syndrome National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
• Gait or Walking Problems National Multiple Sclerosis Society
• Hallux Rigidus American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Tarsal Coalition American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• Walking (Gait), Balance, and Coordination Problems National Multiple Sclerosis Society

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Gait Apraxia National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Gait Ataxia National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Gait Disorders, Neurologic National Institutes of Health

Children

• Developmental Dislocation (Dysplasia) of the Hip (DDH) American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Don’t Ignore Your Kid’s Heel Pain American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• In-Toeing Nemours Foundation
• Intoeing American Academy of Family Physicians
• Legg-Calvé-Perthes Disease (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
• Out-Toeing Nemours Foundation
• Sever’s Disease Nemours Foundation
• Toe Walking Nemours Foundation
• Toe Walking in Children Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Older Adults

• Eldercare at Home: Mobility Problems AGS Health in Aging Foundation

Find an Expert

• Find a Physical Therapist American Physical Therapy Association
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

Diagnosis and Tests

• Foot Problems American Academy of Family Physicians
• Foot Push-Up Test American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
• That Pain in Your Back Could Be Linked to Your Feet American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons

Start Here

• Gait Disorders and Abnormalities Cleveland Clinic Foundation
• Walking abnormalities Medical Encyclopedia

Living With

• Mobility Aids: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• Prescription Custom Orthotics and Shoe Inserts American Podiatric Medical Association

Journal Articles

• Walking Problems

Teenagers

• Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis American Academy of Family Physicians