The Benefits of a Gait Analysis
Have you been experiencing problems with your walking, posture or your lower limbs in general? Then your doctor might recommend a gait analysis to understand the exact nature of your problem. Gait analysis involves the examination and accurate medical evaluation of the way you move. You will be asked to walk at a normal pace and specialised equipment will be used to study your gait. The way you walk or place your feet is going to have a major impact on your foot health. In many cases, problems with your joints, ligaments and bones are caused by the way you walk. So a correct study of your gait can help determine the best course of treatment.
When you are walking the weight of your body rests on your legs and they impact the different pressure points within the limbs. The health of your joints and muscles are influenced in a major way by your gait. While it is true that most people fail to recognize the ways in which walking can impact foot health, medical experts are now working with cutting edge technology to improve the prognosis for all kinds of foot conditions.
A properly conducted gait analysis can help in determining whether you are using your feet in the wrong way or not. If you are inadvertently hurting your feet and causing some major irrevocable damage, then this can be easily detected via a gait analysis. Plenty of people do not realize that the root of their foot problems lie in an issue with their gait. By making small changes in your walking techniques, you can improve your foot health. It can also help you to prevent more long term degeneration of foot conditions that require more drastic treatment, such as surgery.
Not all types of gait analysis are the same. Some resemble a simple visual examination, some make use of video and slow motion technology, whilst others utilise a complex system of cameras and pressure pads to gather detailed information about the way you move. Some types of gait analysis are quite functional and performed by technicians, whereas others may be carried out by podiatric experts. It is important to diligently investigate your options to find a clinic or specialist who is well placed to assist you with your condition.
If you would like further information or to book a gait analysis with our podiatrists, please do get in touch:
Tel. – 0207 458 4538
Email. – contact@londonmskcentre.co.uk
