Which gait is associated with wide-based, unsteady gait with dysmetria and intention tremor?

• A. Steppage gait
• B. Parkinsonian gait
• C. Cerebellar ataxia
• D. Sensory ataxia

Answer: (C)

Dysmetria and intention tremor are classic signs of cerebellar dysfunction, which coordinates movement and balance. When the cerebellum is affected, the gait becomes wide-based and unsteady as the body tries to compensate for poor coordination. Dysmetria causes overshooting or undershooting of movements, and intention tremor appears as tremor that worsens as you approach a target. Taken together, these features define cerebellar ataxia.

Other gait patterns reflect different problems: steppage gait comes from foot drop and high stepping; Parkinsonian gait shows shuffling with small steps and reduced arm swing; sensory ataxia results from proprioceptive loss and is often worse with eyes closed, without the limb-targeting signs of cerebellar dysfunction.