Final answer:
The type of gait that would typically be observed in a patient who has had a left hip replacement and is non weight bearing is known as a Trendelenburg gait. This gait is characterized by the trunk tilting towards the affected side during walking due to weakened muscles responsible for stabilizing the pelvis on the affected side.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of gait you would typically observe in a patient who had a left hip replacement and is non weight bearing is known as a Trendelenburg gait.
The Trendelenburg gait is characterized by the trunk tilting towards the affected side during the stance phase of walking. This occurs because the muscle responsible for stabilizing the pelvis on the affected side (gluteus medius) is weakened, leading to reduced hip and pelvic stability.
During the non weight bearing phase following a left hip replacement, the patient would need to rely on assistive devices like crutches or a walker to maintain stability and prevent weight-bearing on the affected leg.