What is biomechanical gait assessment?
What is biomechanical gait assessment?
A gait analysis and biomechanical assessment are two different types of assessment, they are both ways of examining how your body functions. Biomechanical assessment involves checking the strength and range of motion in parts of your body. A gait analysis analyses how you walk. Podiatrists can use this to help find out what is causing your foot pain and how to treat it. There are many conditions that can cause foot pain so different characteristics can play a part, and the treatments will vary.
How long does a biomechanical assessment take?
A biomechanical assessment usually takes around 20 minutes to complete and then a gait analysis another 20 minutes. You will either arrive in your sports attire, or change at the centre beforehand.
How do you do a gait assessment?
A gait analysis is carried out with you walking on a treadmill wearing shorts and t-shirt. We film you on the treadmill which allows us to watch it back to see what is happening, the footage may be slowed down to allow us to assess specific movements in the cycle. The analysis can help identify problems and solutions to different symptoms.
We take a look at how you are landing, what area of the foot you land on and see if there are any malalignments. We can take into consideration your previous and any current injuries and see if this can be improved.
Pronation and supination are major areas that are looked at during gait analysis.
Pronation is when your foot rolls inwards and the arch of your foot collapses.
Overpronation can cause many problems in the foot and if you have related symptoms this can be improved with orthotics. Overpronation is commonly seen and sometimes this can cause many problems in the foot and knee.
Supination is when your foot rolls outwards and increases the arch height. Other problems can develop because of this style of running such as stress fractures and ankle injuries.
During gait we will also assess your knee movement. Often knee pain can develop from the way it functions during gait. Changing the way feet function can also change the way the knee functions.
Your footwear may be contributing to your problems so we can inspect them and watch you running with them, and other pairs of shoes. This may show that one pair is better for you to use. Running shoe companies tend to produce shoes for pronated, neutral or supinated foot shapes. Sometimes footwear is enough to help you but if not custom orthotics can be made which can be worn inside your trainers.
What is a biomechanical assessment?
A biomechanical assessment in London checks your mechanics such as range of motion in the joints and strength of muscles. We can examine your bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles. This gives us an idea on how your body functions and how parts can be improved or changed. A biomechanical assessment is performed with you standing, sitting and laying down.
Your standing posture is observed and then examination of your hips, knees and feet are performed. This gives us an idea if there is any tightness or explanation for any abnormal gait issues. If so, part of the treatment plan may be to carry out strengthening or stretching exercises.
