Understanding and Fixing Leg Cramps Post Stroke

Clonus Explained: What It Is, Why It Happens, and What You Can Do About It

Stop Letting Leg Cramps Slow Your Recovery

Can Clonus Affect the Way You Walk? Absolutely—Here’s What You Need to Know

Have you ever felt your foot suddenly jerk, cramp, or bounce when you’re walking or standing?

It can be surprising, frustrating, and even a little scary. If this sounds familiar, you might be dealing with clonus—a common but often misunderstood movement issue after a stroke or other neurological injury. But understanding what’s going on in your body is the first step toward finding solutions.

In this post, we’ll break down what clonus is, how it impacts walking, and what you can do to reduce its effects.

What is Clonus?

Clonus is a series of involuntary, rhythmic muscle contractions—basically, your muscles start moving on their own without you telling them to. It usually happens when there’s been damage to the brain or spinal cord, particularly the areas that control movement.

A common way clonus is triggered is by quickly flexing your foot upward. For many stroke survivors, this can happen without meaning to, especially when the foot lands slightly pointed or toe-first.

How Does Clonus Affect Walking?

For some, clonus can feel like a cramp or sudden spasm. When the foot hits the ground even slightly pointed, the reaction causes it to bounce or point rapidly.

This reaction may cause you to avoid putting weight on that leg which can create a number of walking challenges.

Let’s break down a few common ways clonus shows up in walking and why it happens:

1. Swinging the leg out to the side (Abducted gait)

If clonus kicks in when you step, you may start avoiding that leg altogether. This might look like swinging your leg out to the side or quickly shifting your weight to the other leg to avoid the spasm. Over time, this can throw off your balance and cause other parts of your body to compensate

2. Step-To Walking Pattern 

Instead of taking a full step-through with the affected leg, you may find yourself bringing your other foot next to it—kind of like walking in short shuffles. This is often your body’s way of minimizing movement in the leg that triggers clonus, but it makes walking less fluid and more tiring.

3. Knee hyperextension (locking the knee back) when the foot (“toe first”) hits the ground

When your foot hits the ground toe-first, it can suddenly snap upward (called dorsiflexion), triggering clonus. This quick movement causes your calf to tighten and may force your knee to lock backward. Over time, this puts stress on your knee and increases your risk of joint pain or falls.

4. Feeling like you’re falling backward as the foot reacts by pointing and throwing off your balance.

That sudden jerky movement in your foot can make it hard to shift your weight forward. As a result, you may feel like you’re going to fall backward, especially when trying to walk faster or go up a slope. This can make you hesitant to walk, which slows down progress.

What Can Help?

AFO (Ankle-Foot Orthosis):

• 1. • Wearing a properly fitted AFO can prevent your foot from landing toe-first, which helps stop clonus from kicking in.

     • If your foot stays pointed down and you don’t have enough active movement to lift it, an AFO can help protect your knee and improve your walking pattern.

     • If you don’t have at least 10 degrees of foot lift (dorsiflexion), you should be wearing an AFO.

     • A heel wedge helps avoid quick stretch if the foot is slightly pointed.

Calf Stretching:

• • • Stretching your calf can help the ankle move better and reduce the quick stretch that triggers clonus.

    • Aim to stretch enough so your ankle can bend up to at least 10 degrees.

Jumping:

• • • • Controlled jumping helps your ankle get used to fast movements.

      • It won’t get rid of clonus completely, but it can help your body get more comfortable and reduce how much it affects your walking.

Conclusion

Clonus can be frustrating, especially when it interferes with walking and everyday movement. But understanding what’s happening—and why—is the first step to taking back control. Whether it’s finding the right brace, improving ankle flexibility, or training your body to handle different speeds, small adjustments can go a long way. Progress may not always be quick, but every step you take is part of your comeback.

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