How Can a Biomechanical Gait Analyses Help You?
If you experience foot or heel pain, tiredfeet, frequently-sprained ankles, pain while walking, corns and calluses, or even hip and knee pain, you may benefit from a biomechanical gait analysis.
Biomechanics is the study of the structure, motion, and function of a living body and includes how your bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments work together to make movement. Because your feet and ankles are complex structures that must bear your weight every day, a gait analysis can be an invaluable tool to root out the cause of most foot and ankle conditions.
A Gait Analysis Evaluates How You Walk and Run
You may not realize it, but your feet may be functioning improperly when you walk. By analyzing your feet and legs while you walk, we can collect a lot of information to help design an effective treatment plan.
In our office, we will observe you while you walk and look for:·
How hard your feet hit the ground. Ground strike stress may cause damaged tissue in your feet, so you may need more cushioning under the ball of your feet or your heels.
Abnormal motion. Any abnormal motion that causes pain and may damage tissue can be limited to ease the pain.
Do your feet work together symmetrically? Feet can roll inward, and if one foot rolls in more than the other, the pelvis and lower back may be strained.
Limb length. Lower extremity problems can be caused by one leg that is longer than the other.
Often, simply watching you walk in our office will give us lots of information on your gait. We know how the feet should function and what to look for. While you watch, we will pay close attention to those areas that are causing you pain.
Orthotics Can Help Foot Pain Caused by Gait Problems
Based on our gait analysis findings, we may recommend custom-fitted orthotics to resolve your discomfort. These devices support and comfort your feet and match the contours of your feet only.
Your custom-made orthotics can address those areas that need more cushioning. For those who need more arch support or help with inward rolling, the orthotics will be designed for those requirements.
In this way, your orthotics will accommodate your unique foot structure and pathology!
We Can Help Resolve Your Foot or Ankle Pain
The foot specialists at PodiatryCare, PC and the Heel Pain Center have extensive experience in treating all
aspects of foot problems. Our team of doctors which consists of Dr. Robert Marra, Dr. Thomas Johnson, Dr. Kristen Winters, Dr. Laura Vander Poel, and Dr. Matthew Tshudy is dedicated to serving you with all of the
newest diagnostic and treatment technologies. Many treatments and surgeries can be handled right in our offices. Please call us at (860) 741-3041 to make an appointment in one of our offices in Hartford County, conveniently located in Enfield and South Windsor, CT.