Which gait is associated with cerebral palsy?

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

Answer: (C)

Gait abnormalities in cerebral palsy reflect early brain injury leading to spasticity and abnormal muscle control, most classically producing a scissors gait. The hip adductor muscles become overactive, pulling the legs toward the midline and causing the thighs to cross or “scissor” during walking. This pattern—often seen in spastic diplegia—gives the characteristic leg-crossing appearance.

Steppage gait comes from weakness of the dorsiflexors, leading to high-stepping foot clearance and foot slap, not the CP pattern. Parkinsonian gait features a shuffling, stooped gait with small steps and reduced arm swing, typical of Parkinson’s disease. Sensory ataxia produces a wide-based, unsteady gait with irregular steps and a positive Romberg due to proprioceptive loss, not the scissoring seen in cerebral palsy.