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 p…

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