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Published on: 8/20/2026
What is the medical definition of an abnormal gait?
Abnormal gait is a medical term for any walking pattern that deviates from the typical rhythm of balance, foot strike, and arm swing. It can involve limping, shuffling, unsteady steps, or difficulty coordinating movement, and may signal an underlying issue with the muscles, joints, nerves, or brain.
Common causes include injuries, arthritis, neurological conditions like Parkinson's or stroke, inner ear problems, or side effects from medication. Because gait changes can point to many different conditions—some minor, some serious—identifying the root cause early is important for effective treatment.
If you or a loved one has noticed a change in walking pattern, don't guess your way through it. A free, instant, online symptom check can help you understand possible causes and guide your next steps—whether that means monitoring at home, seeing a primary care provider, or consulting a specialist. It takes just a few minutes and could save you days of worry and unnecessary research.
Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026
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Explanation
An abnormal gait refers to any noticeable difference from typical walking patterns. In normal walking, each foot follows a specific sequence: the heel strikes first, then the ball of the foot, and finally the toe pushes off. During this motion, the body stays balanced by keeping its center of gravity between both feet, while the arms swing naturally opposite to the legs for stability.
A person with an abnormal gait shows walking movements that differ from these typical patterns. This broad medical term covers any unusual walking pattern—from limping after an injury to taking careful, shortened steps due to balance problems.
If you're experiencing changes in your walking pattern, you can check your symptoms using Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker before consulting with a healthcare provider to determine the specific diagnosis underlying an abnormal gait and identify appropriate treatment.
(References)
Updated 2024 Apr 20]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560610/
Updated 2023 Jul 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK559243/
Verghese J, LeValley A, Hall CB, Katz MJ, Ambrose AF, Lipton RB. Epidemiology of gait disorders in community-residing older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2006 Feb;54(2):255-61. doi: 10.1111/j.1532-5415.2005.00580.x. PMID: 16460376; PMCID: PMC1403740.
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