Sports Podiatry and Biomechanical Gait Analysis

How Do You WALK!!

Most people think they walk in efficiently until you enquire about aches and pains in their knees, hip, low back, leg muscles, ankles and feet.

The action of walking is very complicated, involving the coordinated movement of numerous muscles and joints in their correct alignment.

There are estimated to be 85% of the population who do not walk in a functionally correct way, which could eventually lead to the aforementioned symptoms in other parts of the body.
The small amounts of injury that occur at each step can lead to bunions, heel pain, ankle and tendon Achilles pain, calf and knee pain.

Podiatric Biomechanical Examination and Gait Analysis identifies the areas of malfunction and through a recommended exercise programme, and the supply of functionally corrected orthoses (shoe inserts) can reduce the problems in 80% of cases.

Children between the ages of seven and sixteen years experience growth spurts and orthoses can have a corrective influence on the bones and muscle structures during this stage in their development.

An international golfer with low back pain was referred by his physiotherapist for a Gait Analysis. He could only play six holes before the pain in his back was unbearable. Three months later after using the orthoses he went on to win several international competitions.

Over the last twenty five years many walkers and runners have been able to resume their activities and thus enhance their quality of life.

You check out your eyes and teeth, why not your feet?