Spastic paretic stiff-legged gait Is a frequently encountered gait problem
in patients with traumatic brain injury, as well as in many other patients
with upper motor neuron disease. Formerly, spasticity of the quadriceps was
considered to be the sole cause of stiff-legged gait. Quantitative gait an
alysis, however, may implicate hip flexor weakness or poor ankle mechanics
as the cause of stiff-legged gait. We discuss the use of an algorithm to ev
aluate stiff-legged gait in traumatic brain injury using a quantitative gai
t analysis system such that the specific etiology of stiff-legged gait can
be identified and can serve as the basis of a treatment plan.