Excessive lower-extremity adduction is often described as which term?

Excessive lower-extremity adduction is often described as which term?

• A. Toe walking
• B. Scissoring
• C. Flatfoot
• D. Waddling gait

Answer: (B)

Excessive leg adduction shows up as a scissoring gait. When the hip adductors are overly tight or spastic, they pull the thighs toward the midline. As the legs move, the knees and thighs tend to come together or cross, giving the appearance of scissors during walking. This pattern is classic in conditions with increased adductor tone, such as cerebral palsy with spastic diplegia, and reflects the dominant influence of adduction on the leg alignment during gait. Toe walking describes walking on the toes due to tight plantarflexors or weak dorsiflexors, not a problem with bringing the legs toward the midline. Flatfoot refers to a collapsed or fallen arch in the foot, which changes foot mechanics rather than producing a scissoring of the legs. Waddling gait involves a broad-based, trunk- and pelvis-dominant pattern often from proximal weakness or hip girdle issues, not specifically excessive leg adduction.

Excessive leg adduction shows up as a scissoring gait. When the hip adductors are overly tight or spastic, they pull the thighs toward the midline. As the legs move, the knees and thighs tend to come together or cross, giving the appearance of scissors during walking. This pattern is classic in conditions with increased adductor tone, such as cerebral palsy with spastic diplegia, and reflects the dominant influence of adduction on the leg alignment during gait.

Toe walking describes walking on the toes due to tight plantarflexors or weak dorsiflexors, not a problem with bringing the legs toward the midline. Flatfoot refers to a collapsed or fallen arch in the foot, which changes foot mechanics rather than producing a scissoring of the legs. Waddling gait involves a broad-based, trunk- and pelvis-dominant pattern often from proximal weakness or hip girdle issues, not specifically excessive leg adduction.