Gait Analysis

 

Gait Analysis

Gait analysis is a posh term for, literally, watching you walk and run! The aim is to check movement patterns which may be contributing to your injury or pain.

This may be as simple as watching you walk up and down in the corridor using the Mark 1 Eyeball, right up to more complex assessments using a treadmill with high resolution video to capture important data.

Which one do you need? It really depends on what the problem is. If it is straightforward and not a running-related injury then a quick walk up and down may give me all the info I need. On the other hand, if you are a runner I may want to look at your running style on the treadmill using multiple camera angles to capture important data. Here are some of the analysis tools I use to assess your gait:

Video Treadmill Analysis

 

 

This specialized assessment uses a treadmill with high resolution video to capture important data frame by frame while you are running and walking. This enables me to look at running technique and identify any movement patterns which may increase the risk of injury.

 

 Pressure Mat Analysis

 

Podiatry Pressure Mat Analysis in actionThis enables me to assess the invisible forces going through the foot when walking barefoot across a special floor mat with multiple high-resolution sensors. This gives me useful information such as high-pressure areas, balance, speeds and angles of gait, assessing any significant differences between the left and right foot.

 

Strength and Flexibility Assessment

 

 

As a part of your analysis I like to check for any weakness or lack of flexibility in key muscle groups as this can be a key contributing factor to running injuries. This may lead to me recommending a more detailed assessment  checking relative muscle strength, balance and flexibility left and right to identify any areas of concern which can then be addressed with an individual exercise plan specifically designed for you.