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Gait is the way people walk and run. Video gait analysis is a tool used for the assessment, diagnosis, treatment and monitoring of a range of musculoskeletal injuries affecting the feet, ankles, knees, hips and lower back.
A video gait assessment is a tool often used as part of a functional assessment of a patient. It starts with the very basics of asking a patient to walk naturally in bare feet, in their current shoes and in their orthotics (if they already have them) so that we can see how their feet, legs and body move in a normal setting.
We record these movement patterns whilst a patient is walking and running on a treadmill in the Clinic, providing an in depth recording of their movements from different angles. This enables us to assess their biomechanics in detail, walking and running form and style, the effect of footwear and/or orthotics on the functioning of the feet and diagnose any injuries and issues that are causing pain.
Advantages of Video Gait Analysis
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Detailed analysis – assess and diagnose the issues
A walking and running gait assessment with a Podiatrist looks at all phases of the gait cycle in detail; assessing movement patterns from the feet, ankles, knees, lower limbs, back and even arms.
Some people struggle to walk or run on a treadmill and where this is the case, we record the same movements outside on a flat surface to achieve as natural a movement patterns as possible.
The assessment includes walking, running, drills and exercises in bare feet as well as in shoes and also orthotics if a patient is already wearing them.
Moving in bare feet exposes the raw biomechanics of the feet. Walking in shoes that the patient wears often can expose issues caused by poorly fitting or old footwear, causing the feet to move in a way that isn’t natural.
This means we can show patients the differences in their gait and overall movement in and out of shoes, and with and without orthotics and help them understand what’s causing their particular issue or injury.
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Patient education – help people understand their condition
Patients can contribute to their recovery better if they have a greater understanding of how their feet move. By having a recording of the patient’s movement, we can show it to them whilst describing what we’re seeing and what’s happening when they move.
This allows the patient to fully understand their condition as we explain how it can be corrected through the various treatment options. We slow the video down and pause it at specific moments so that the patient can see exactly what’s happening to impact their feet.
From here, we discuss with the patient how to correct the issue and demonstrate what movement patterns we’d like to see, giving them exercises, orthotics or footwear recommendations to assist with proper foot function.
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Monitoring progress – track, assess and share improvement
Once a diagnosis is made, we make recommendations for treatment to alter what the leg, foot, knee, shoulder or body is doing.
This may include changes to footwear, the addition (or removal) or orthotics, drills and exercises at home to adjust movement patterns and strengthen supporting muscles and correct foot posture.
After a period of treatment (usually about one month), we may repeat the analysis as a point of comparison – to assess and measure progress. By reviewing these different video recordings, the patient can see their progression over time; and we can ensure we’re seeing the changes that were expected for proper foot functioning.
Assess Your Walking and Running Form
A video gait analysis includes looking at all the factors that might be contributing to, or causing, pain or injury – balance, rate of walking, how the feet are landing, leg and hip movement, posture and arm swing.
During an assessment, we look at the movement of the whole body from top to bottom:
- shoulder tilt and arm swing
- hip, pelvis and lower back position
- stride length
- ankle and knee movements
- foot strike and heel position.
A thorough assessment includes motion analysis in different states:
- In and out of shoes
- With and without Orthotics
- Walking and running
- Indoors and outside.
Analyse Orthotic and Footwear Performance
Orthotics
If we diagnose the patient with an injury, we may choose to treat it with Orthotics and an exercise regime to complete daily at home. These drills are usually to build strength in weaker muscles, and the intensity of these is increased over time as a patient’s tolerance levels and ability increases. After a period of treatment the analysis is repeated, at which point we may include additional exercises and make further recommendations to achieve the improvements needed for optimal foot functioning.
Footwear
To ensure continuity of care, our Podiatrists can write a referral to specialist shoe stores such as Active Feet or The Running Company. This referral will detail the conclusions of the video gait analysis, explain the patient’s issue/s and make suggestions for which shoes should be tried on in the store. We work alongside stores where the staff are trained to assist patients in this particular area and have their own equipment and treadmills for repeating the analysis whilst different shoes are being tried on. This enables patients to choose footwear which feels comfortable for them and return to activity safely.
Why Choose Your Foot Clinic?
All of our Podiatrists, at both of our Clinics, have completed further training and are qualified in running gait analysis to ensure we have an extensive knowledge of this assessment process.
We carry out video gait analysis assessment on site as part of the overall consultation time; and work hand in hand with specialist shoe stores to make sure that patients are able to access the correct footwear for their health and recovery. Our holistic and individual approach means that we offer this in combination with other treatments that a patient might need to assist their recovery including massages, shockwave therapy and dry needling.