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.