What is an antalgic gait?

An antalgic gait is characterized by a limp that develops as a compensatory mechanism to reduce pain while walking. When an individual experiences discomfort in a lower limb—such as from an injury, arthritis, or any other condition—they may alter their walking pattern to minimize pressure on the painful area. This results in a shortened stride or a quickened pace in the unaffected limb. The primary goal of this gait alteration is to avoid exacerbating pain during movement which is why the definition aligns perfectly with the concept of an antalgic gait.

The other options describe different types of movement patterns or objectives that do not correspond with the fundamental definition of an antalgic gait. Therefore, understanding that antalgic gait specifically involves a deliberate adjustment of walking to mitigate pain is crucial for recognizing not only the term but its practical implications in orthotic fitting and rehabilitation.