Which gait is described by a stiff movement where legs appear to cross with each step?

The description of a stiff movement where legs appear to cross with each step aligns with a scissors gait. This type of gait is characterized by a reduced base of support and an exaggerated crossing of the legs as the individual walks, resembling the action of scissors. Scissors gait often results from conditions that affect motor control and muscle tone, such as cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders that lead to increased muscle tone, causing the legs to move in a stiff, crossing manner.

The other gait patterns mentioned differ in their characteristics. For example, cerebellar ataxia involves a wide-based, unsteady gait with difficulty in coordination but does not typically involve the scissoring motion. Spastic hemiparesis refers to a gait pattern typically observed after a stroke affecting one side of the body, often resulting in circumduction of the affected limb rather than crossing. Steppage gait, often seen in conditions like peripheral neuropathy, is characterized by high-stepping movements due to foot drop, where the foot may slap down on the ground, rather than crossing over. Thus, the distinctly scissor-like movement is a hallmark of scissors gait specifically.