Which gait pattern uses a slow sequence of movement with one crutch, the opposite leg, the other crutch, and the other leg?

• A. Four-Point Gait
• B. Swing-through Gait
• C. Three-Point Gait
• D. Two-Point Gait

Answer: (A)

Four-point gait keeps you most stable by moving four ground-contact points in a slow, deliberate sequence. In this pattern, you advance one crutch, then the opposite leg, then the other crutch, and finally the other leg. This staggered, step-by-step progression distributes weight across both legs and crutches, making it the safest choice when balance is limited or partial weight-bearing on both legs is allowed.

Think of it as a steady rhythm: crutch, leg, crutch, leg. The other common patterns aren’t as gradual or stable: two-point gait moves crutch and opposite leg together, making it faster but less stable; three-point gait requires weight-bearing on only one leg while the other is non-weight-bearing; swing-through involves moving the body forward past the crutches, often with a difference in how the legs are advanced. The described sequence best matches the four-point pattern.