What Is The Need For Gait Analysis?

Gait is the process in which people move their body from one point to another. This means walking, running, skipping, hopping and any other similar activity. Gait analysis is a way to assess the pattern of these activities to highlight biomechanical abnormalities.

What are Biomechanical Abnormalities?

Averting injuries is a basic necessity to move around efficiently. Bodily joints must be capable of providing sufficient movement and muscles should produce sufficient force to generate an efficient gait cycle. If the joints are stiff (caused by muscle cramps), it can limit the range of motion, or weaken the muscles. Thus the body must find a way to compensate the problems, which leads to biomechanical abnormalities.

Common biomechanical abnormalities:

• Oversupination
• Overpronation
• Hip hiking (lifting the hip on one side)
• Increased Q angle
• Pelvic tilt – can be either anterior, posterior or lateral
• Ankle equinus (limited ankle dorsiflexion)

These are usually caused by muscular imbalances (weak muscles working against tight muscles). However, they can sometimes also be caused by structural problems, like leg length discrepancies resulting in hip hiking.

What is Gait Analysis?

Gait analysis is performed only by professionals. They are called podiatrist or physiotherapist. Well podiatrists are the next step of physiotherapists with higher education and quality. In today's fast and expanding world, gait analysis is also available with many specialist running sports shops. But experts suggest, that gait analysis must be done through certified professionals.

Podiatrygait analysis involves walking or running on a treadmill. In some cases the podiatrist simply watch the way that a person moves. It includes studying the hips, knees, ankles and feet. In some advanced modes, a video recorder may be set-up behind the treadmill, which records the film of your gait cycle. This movie is then relayed to a laptop where the podiatrist sees the pattern of movement in slow motion and freeze frames to carefully assess the walking or running style.

Runners, athletes and sportpersons who require a high level of workout and activity should make sure they have had a gait analysis and purchase the correct footwear to avert future injuries. Below are some of the common overuse injuries associated with poor gait biomechanics:

• Plantar fasciitis
• Shin splints
• Patella tendonitis (jumpers knee)
• Iliotibial band syndrome (runners knee)
• Achilles tendonitis
• Lower back pain

Gaitanalysis is important for every person whether or not he/she is a sportperson or athlete. Determining the pattern of walk is similar to the necessity of vaccines for newborns.