What is a Gait Analysis?
A Gait Analysis is the systematic evaluation of a person’s walking or running pattern. The main components, or ‘phases’, of the gait cycle that your podiatrist will be analysing include – heel contact, mid stance, and toe off. Each of these phases have pre-determined or optimal functional parameters which the podiatrist will measure against. For instance, the optimal position that the foot should strike the ground with each stride while walking is at the heel (in the middle to outside part of the heel). Often in the clinic we see kids who ‘toe-walk’ – this is a very obvious example of an irregular gait pattern when measured against the ‘norm’. Often the toe-walking kids will present to the clinic with tight and sore calf muscles, and/or growth centre pain in their heel bones (Severs Disease). By analysing the gait pattern, our podiatrists can diagnose the problem and build a treatment plan to manage the symptoms.
‘Every component of your walking pattern is important, and irregularities will cause pain and problems both locally in the feet and further up the chain in the legs and back. At Footwell Podiatry, our podiatrists are trained to analyse every part of your gait pattern and manage any associated foot and leg problems’.
When Will The Podiatrist Perform a Gait Analysis?
Your Podiatrist will generally perform a Gait Analysis as part of any initial podiatry appointment, particularly when the patient is presenting with musculo-skeletal problems in the feet, legs and lower back. Your foot function and walking pattern will play some part in most common orthopaedic/biomechanical problems of the feet and lower limbs (muscle, tendon, fascia, joint pain etc). Your foot type and gait pattern will also affect the wear and tear on your skin under and around your feet. Every foot type and walking pattern has a distinct callus (hard skin build up) pattern, some of which become painful and require treatment. Understanding the cause of these problems is key to proper treatment and long term relief.
