Do I need a Gait Analysis?
Do I need a gait analysis?
The aim of a gait analysis is to identify if the way you walk and run is contributing to or increasing your risk of injury. Movement patterns such as excessive rolling in of the foot, or pronation, and instability at the hips due to hip muscle weakness, can increase loads through the foot, ankle and lower limb during walking and running, leading to a repetitive strain injury.
What happens at a gait analysis?
During a gait analysis you will be assessed head to toe, as movement patterns higher up the body chain can influence movement at the foot and ankle, and vice versa, so it is important to assess the whole body. This is very different to an assessment you might get at a running shop, where only the foot is observed for the purpose of selecting the right shoe.
At Active, analysis is carried out on a treadmill using high resolution video filmed from different angles, and a pressure mat to analyse pressures and weight distribution through the foot. An assessment of strength and flexibility is also carried out, and following this a recommended treatment plan is set out, often involving strength and flexibility exercises, running technique retraining, footwear and training advice, and fitting of orthotic insoles where needed to reduce stress and strain on an injured area.
Some questions people often ask.
- Is there a right way to walk or run?
Yes and no! Walking and running are natural activities that we learn from about year one. You don’t see children thinking about how they walk and run; they just do it. However when we are thinking about the biomechanics of walking and running, there may be certain movement patterns, whether acquired or due to muscle weakness or pain avoidance perhaps which may contribute to excess loads on an injured area, increasing the risk of further injury or slowing down recovery. In this situation I may work with you to re-educate certain aspects of your movement to help manage loads and reduce stress in a vulnerable area.
- Does everyone need a gait analysis?
Certainly not. If there is no suspicion that a movement pattern is contributing to an injury and where the cause is obvious, for example an accident or overuse injury, then there is no need.
- Do I need orthotics if I have a gait analysis?
Not necessarily. In some cases the fix may be to switch to wearing a certain type of shoe, strengthening exercises, or modifying activities that aggravate the injury. An orthotic insole is another tool in the toolbox which can be helpful in reducing loads through a painful area, but not essential in every case.
If you think a gait analysis might help you get to the bottom of a recurring injury, then give us a call.