Biomechanical assessment & gait analysis

• what's a biomechanical assessment & gait analysis? It's probably one of the most important services that Podiatrist's provide. 

• Bunions! Heel spurs! Sprained ankles! Shin splints! Arthritic knees! Sore hips! Lower back pain!................................... & the list goes on.

• what do these problems have in common? These problems have a biomechanical cause that almost always is connected with the feet.

• what does that mean? This might help you understand. 

The most important part of a building is the foundations. If they have not been engineered correctly, poured properly & levelled correctly, the building above will move, crack & possibly collapse. 

Our feet are exactly the same. Our feet are the foundations of our body. If they do not function or move properly, then they lead to other problems such as bunions! heel spurs! sprained ankle!.......................& the list goes on.

• a biomechanical assessment involves assessing & measuring different motions of the foot, ankle, leg & lower back to determine whether it functions & moves correctly. Gait analysis involves assessing these movements while walking see picture below). This often involves walking on  a treadmill & videoing the movements to enable the slowing down of the movements to more clearly view them.

• these two roles are important in many ways. They can be used to predict the likelihood of developing problems. They also are used once you have a problem to identify their cause & help plan an effective treatment plan.

Podiatrists specialise in the care of the foot & ankle. Whether it be a minor or major problem, see a Podiatrist in regard to any foot or ankle problem.