Gait Analysis – computer aided biomechanical assessment

For more information on the use of Gait Analysis, please watch our video.
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What is a Computerised Gait Scan?

Computerised analysis of your foot problems
Gait analysis is a computerised scan which is performed with the help of a 0.5 metre rigid electronic pressure plate that gets placed on the floor and is used to gather information as you walk across it. Contact us now for more information on insoles for shoes and orthotic inserts.

We have invested in the very latest equipment and software that can analyse your gait (walking pattern). Our unique footscan plates give accurate gait analysis and pressure readings every time.

Using our foot pressure gait analysis system can help to diagnose many faults in foot function, which can lead to problems in the lower back, hip and through the leg.

Once any problem area has been identified, the data form our foot scanning systems can be applied in many versatile ways from helping a patient recover from an injury to helping maintain a sports person to perform at peak levels or to advise of where they can improve their gait efficiency.

Our orthotics (insoles for shoes) can make corrections that will save you from pains in your feet, legs and back. Our specialist scanning equipment and knowledge means we can swiftly return you to a pain-free lifestyle.

Foot pressure and force distribution
The plate consists of thousands of pressure sensors that ‘take pictures’ at a rate of more than 300 images per second and so determine the pressure and force distribution on the surface of the foot.

A picture of how your feet work together.
Once this information has been saved into the computer we can look at various aspects of your gait in 2D, 3D and in synchronisation to get a bigger overall picture of how your feet work together when walking.

Contact us now for a free consultation
This information is often very useful in correlation with a consultation to determine what kind of support is needed in the making of specialised orthotics (insoles for shoes) flat feet shoes with orthotic arch supports. Your orthotics (insoles for shoes) can be tested by walking over the plates with the orthotics inside your shoes to verify the correction in your movement.

Research has shown that 60-70% of people have abnormally functioning feet.

Gait Cycle

Walking is a cyclic process; therefore, the relevant information can be captured during one complete gait cycle, which is the time between successive foot contacts of the same limb.

A gait cycle is split into two main phases, stance and swing, with one complete gait cycle including both a stance and swing phase. The stance phase is the period where the foot is in contact with the ground and equates to 60% of the cycle when walking. The swing phase makes up the remaining 40%. During walking there is a period double stance, where both feet are in contact with the ground.

The swing and stance phases of the gait cycle can be further further divided.

Stance phase (pictured top)

• Heel strike: being the point when the heel hits the floor
• Foot flat: being the point where the whole foot comes into contact with the floor
• Mid-stance: where we are transferring weight from the back to the front of our feet
• Toe-off: being where we are pushing off with the toes to propel us forward

Swing phase (pictured above)

• Acceleration: the period from toe-off to maximum knee flexion in order for the foot to clear the ground
• Mid-swing: the period between maximum knee flexion and the forward movement of the tibia to a vertical position
• Deceleration: the end of the swing phase before heel strike

When running, a higher proportion of the cycle is swing phase as the foot is in contact with the ground for a shorter period. Because of this there is now no double stance phase, and instead there is a point where neither foot is in contact with the ground, this is called the flight phase.

As running speed increases, stance phase becomes shorter and shorter.

Corrections to your Gait Cycle
If it is found that there is an abnormality of your gait cycle, this can usually be corrected with a change in footwear and the use of custom-made orthotics (insoles for shoes).

Make an appointment, come to Special Footwear in London’s west-end and have a FREE consultation. We will explain all the options you have available to treat your condition.

What are custom-made orthotics?

Custom-made orthotics (insoles for shoes) are devices worn in your shoes that provide correction and assistance to your feet, helping them to perform in a more efficient manner. Poor foot function may be the cause of pain you are experiencing in your fee, knees, hips or back. Custom-made orthotics (insoles for shoes) can help relieve your discomfort by realigning and stabilising the bones in your feet, in turn restoring your natural walking pattern.

Printed Report
This information is also summarised in an analysis report that can be printed for your to see. The report findings will help us evaluate your foot function and determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are related to faulty foot mechanics. This information will assist in determining the need for orthotics therapy and will aid in the manufacturing of orthotics (insoles for shoes) to support your feet.

Do you agree with any of the statements below? contact us fora free consultation!

• My feet are sore on a regular basis
• I spend a good proportion of my day standing or walking on hard surfaces
• I play sport regularly
• Standing, walking or running gives me joint pain
• I have visible foot problems
• One of my legs is shorter than the other
• My shoes wear out quickly or unevenly
• My parents had foot-related symptoms
• I have flat feet

Being able to move efficiently is important in avoiding injuries. Having joints capable of providing sufficient movement and muscles capable of producing sufficient force is vital to generate an efficient gait cycle.

If joints are stiff, limiting range of motion, or muscles are weak, the body must find ways of compensating for the problem, leading to biomechanical abnormalities.

Examples of biomechanical abnormalities include:

• Overpronation
• Oversupination
• Hip hiking (or hitching) where the hip lifts on the one side
• Pelvic tilt

Runners and athletes whose sports require a high level of running and jumping should make sure they have had a gait analysis and buy the correct footwear to avoid future overuse injuries.

The following is a list of common overuse injuries associated with poor gait biomechanics:

• Shin splints
• Plantar fasciitis
• Lower back pain
• Achilles tendonitis
• Knee pain
• Runner’s knee
• Jumper’s knee

One way that you can get an idea for yourself whether you pronate, supinate or have a neutral foot strike is to look at the wear of your trainers or shoes. These must be shoes that you have worn a lot so that there is a pattern of wear on the sole.