Question

Hand to knee gait is commonly due to ...........

• A. Weakness of Hamstring muscle
• B. Weakness of Quadriceps muscle
• C. Weakness of Plantar flexors
• D. Lack of balance on the affected side
• E.

Hint:

If patient supports knee with hand during walking → think quadriceps weakness.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding hand to knee gait.
Hand to knee gait is a compensatory gait seen in patients with weakness of the quadriceps muscle.
The quadriceps are responsible for stabilizing the knee joint during walking, especially in the stance phase.
Step 2: Why the hand is used.
When quadriceps are weak, the knee tends to buckle during weight bearing.
To prevent falling, the patient uses their hand to push the knee back into extension during walking, hence the name "hand to knee gait."
Step 3: Analysis of options.
- (A) Weakness of Hamstrings: This causes difficulty in flexion of the knee, but does not produce hand to knee gait.
- (B) Weakness of Quadriceps: Correct, because quadriceps are essential for knee extension and stability.
- (C) Weakness of Plantar flexors: This results in tip-toe weakness, not hand to knee gait.
- (D) Lack of balance: This results in ataxic gait, not hand to knee gait.
Step 4: Clinical importance.
Quadriceps weakness is commonly seen in femoral nerve palsy, post-polio syndrome, or myopathies.
Step 5: Conclusion.
Thus, hand to knee gait is due to quadriceps weakness.