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Walking Problems
We walk thousands of steps each day. We walk to do our daily activities, get around, and exercise. Having a problem with walking can make daily life more difficult.
The pattern of how you walk is called your gait. A variety of problems can cause an abnormal gait and lead to problems with walking. These include:
- Injuries, diseases, or abnormal development of the muscles or bones of your legs or feet
- Movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease
- Diseases such as arthritis or multiple sclerosis
- Vision or balance problems
Treatment of walking problems depends on the cause. Physical therapy, surgery, or mobility aids may help.
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Learn More
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Multimedia & Cool Tools
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Overviews
- Walking (Gait) Abnormalities(Children's Hospital Boston)
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Latest News
- 'Toe-Walking' More Common in Kids with Mental Woes(07/23/2012, HealthDay)
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Early Warning Sign?
(07/23/2012, HealthDay)
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Diagnosis/Symptoms
- Foot Problems(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
- 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)
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Prevention/Screening
- How to "Read" Your Footprint(American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society)
- Walking Shoes: Features and Fit That Keep You Moving(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
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Disease Management
- Exercises to Improve Gait Abnormalities(National Center on Physical Activity and Disability)
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MedlinePlus: Mobility Aids
- Canes, crutches, walkers, wheelchairs
- Also available in Spanish
- Shoe Inserts and Prescription Custom Orthotics(American Podiatric Medical Association)
- Walking Aids(American Physical Therapy Association)
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Specific Conditions
- Achilles Tendon Rupture(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Cavus Foot (High-Arched Foot)(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons)
- Also available in Spanish
- Chronic Ankle Instability(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons)
- Also available in Spanish
- Equinus(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons)
- Also available in Spanish
- Flexible Flatfoot(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons)
- Also available in Spanish
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Foot Drop(National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke)
- Hallux Rigidus(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons)
- Also available in Spanish
- Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Tarsal Coalition(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons)
- Also available in Spanish
- Walking (Gait), Balance, and Coordination Problems(National Multiple Sclerosis Society)
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Related Issues
- Walking and Your Feet: Benefits of Exercise Walking(American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine)
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Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Gait Apraxia(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Gait Disorders, Neurologic(National Institutes of Health)
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Gait Apraxia
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Research
- Fixed-Bearing Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) Improves Gait Function(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Why Do Many Older Persons Become Disabled in Walking and Driving?(American College of Physicians) - PDF
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Journal Articles
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
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Directories
- Find a Physical Therapist(American Physical Therapy Association)
- Find an ACFAS Physician(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons)
- Walking Aids: Canes, Crutches, Standing Equipment, Walkers(National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research)
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Organizations
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Children
- Clubfoot(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Also available in Spanish
- Don't Ignore Your Kid's Heel Pain(American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons)
- In-Toeing and Out-Toeing in Toddlers(Nemours Foundation)
- Intoeing(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Limb Length Discrepancy(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Limping Child(American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)
- Problems with Legs and Feet(Nemours Foundation)
- Sever's Disease(Nemours Foundation)
- Also available in Spanish
- Toe Walking in Children(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
- Walking (Gait) Abnormalities(Children's Hospital Boston)
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Teenagers
- Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis(American Academy of Family Physicians)
- Also available in Spanish
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Seniors
- Eldercare at Home: Mobility Problems(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
- Walking Tips for Older Adults(AGS Foundation for Health in Aging)
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Patient Handouts
- Walking abnormalities
- Also available in Spanish
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