Flutter gait (bilateral Trendelenburg gait): signs of symptoms and causes

Description

Excessive pelvic rotation and swaying of the lower extremities are compensatory responses to parietal muscle weakness and bilateral pelvis. The unstable pelvis creates a characteristic standing posture due to weak pelvic belt and excessive lumbar arch. Weak pelvic widening also affects the patient's ability to squat. The patient can use the hand to push the body to get up from a squatting position (also known as the Gower sign).

Reason

Often met

Muscular dystrophy (eg, muscular dystrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy).

Metabolic muscle diseases (eg, myopathy caused by the thyroid gland).

Less common

Polymyositis.

Dermatitis.

Mitochondrial myopathy.

Myopathy caused by glucocorticoids.

Figure. Signs of Gower in root muscle weakness

Mechanism

A faltering gait is caused by muscle weakness of the base of the limbs. Primary muscle weakness is often associated with primary myopathy. Primary limb muscle weakness and pelvic belt instability cause a characteristic standing position due to pelvic belt weakness and excessive lumbar arching to maintain balance throughout the postural examination.

Meaning

The flinching gait is a sign of the root limb muscle weakness.