| Gait analysis is the study of how we walk. We all | | | | your feet. |
| have a pattern of walk which is unique to us. Many | | | | From these findings a podiatrist can determine |
| of us suffer from pain in our feet, ankles, knees or | | | | whether your gait is one of the factors in causing |
| hips which can be caused by the way that we walk. | | | | your injury. There could be many reasons for this |
| These problems are often more pronounced if you | | | | including a leg length discrepancy, muscle tightness, or |
| are particularly active, as the forces going through | | | | hypermobility of joints. |
| your joints are so much higher. The majority of | | | | How would my injury be treated? |
| people will encounter foot pain at some stage in their | | | | Common treatments include rest (by either inactivity |
| life. | | | | or a supporting device), ice therapy, exercise |
| How does a podiatrist analyse gait? | | | | prescription, orthotics or in some cases a referral for |
| · Checking the wear pattern on your | | | | a surgical opinion. Exercise prescription and orthotics |
| footwear. | | | | have a high success rate for many conditions of the |
| · Observing your standing posture. | | | | lower limb. |
| · Observing your walking gait. | | | | What should I take to an appointment? |
| · Observing your running gait. | | | | A pair of shorts so that your knees can be seen |
| · Carrying out a functional assessment, which | | | | during gait analysis is ideal. A pair of shoes which |
| includes checking the range of motion available at all | | | | have had a lot of wear would also give a lot of |
| of the joints from the hip to the toes. | | | | information to your podiatrist. |
| · Checking the areas of high pressure on | | | | |