Gait and Posture Analysis

Examples of biomechanical abnormalities include

• Overprontion of the feet
• Oversupination of the feet
• Internal knee positions
• An increased Q angle from the hip
• A scolisois of the back
• A leg length difference
• A difference in arch height between each foot
• Hip Hitching (lifting the hip on one side)
• Pelvic tilt
• One hip leading in front of the other at all times
• Ankle equinus
• limited ankle movement.

Many injuries in normal people are often caused, at least in part, by poor gait biomechanics. These include:

• Dengerative arthritic joint pains
• Achilles tedonitis
• Trapped nerves
• Hallux valgus
• You may just feel that your posture is deteriorating but have no specific pains in your legs and feet.
• Plantar fasciitis
• Heel pain

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. Common overuse injuries associated with poor gait biomechanics:

• Shin Splints
• Plantar fasciitis
• Iliotibial Band syndrome
• Knee pains from  Ilio-tibial band syndrome or patella tendonitis
• Inguinal ligament pain - at the inside & front of the hip
• Low back pain

Read more about how gait analysis can help your running.

Children's Gait abnormalities can cause:

• Heel pains - Sever's apophysisits
• Knee pains - Osgood Slatter's osteochondritis
• Flat foot pains - Sever's disease

Here is a link to our page on children's problems.

Gait Analysis can give crucial information about running styles. When running the foot rolls inwards allowing the arch to lower. This movement is caused pronation. Everyones' feet need to pronate to absorb the impact of running on hard pavement an even on softer surfaces like grass, otherwise our feet and legs would hurt. Gait analysis assesses the amount of pronation you have. Too much pronation causes strains, such as shin splints and runner's knee. If you proante more on one foot then the other it can cause hip and back pains. Too much pronation causes the knee to turn onwards too much when running. This can cause pains in your thighs called Ilio-tibial band syndrome and Knee cap pains (lateral tracking patallae). The goal of gait anaysis for runners is to identify the cause of the problem and provide a re-balancing exercise program to treat your muscle ad tendon pains and to assess if you gait could be improved by foot orthoses prescribed to return you alignment to a normal symmetry and alignment. Bring your trainers to your appointment so we can make sure you have the right type of shoe. Some people do not have enough pronation. This type of foot is called a supinated foot and often causes many pains in the joints from the foot, and knee to the hips and the back. Gait analysis aims to identify how your joints move and to start treatment to enable less jarring to your joints by altering your running style. This is achieved with exercise programs to rebalance your muscles and tendons and by providing foot orthoses to make the best of your gait alignment. 'Fitter Feet' Podiatrists will discuss which is the right type of shoe for you. Remember to bring your trainers with you so we can check them for you. The aim of gait analysis is to treat muscle and joint pains by identifying poor alignment and to give treatments to improve your running style and to help you succeed in the sport you love most.

Gait Analysis can be used to plan foot surgery. Some Foot deformities can seen and assessed with x-rays. The additional of gait analysis test shows how the deformity is used when walking and shows how much pressure is under the deformed part of the foot. Gait analysis allows the surgeon to take into account abnormally high foot pressures and the way the foot is used, when planning surgery so that the best results possible are achieved.

Orthoses are foot support insoles that are made from a cast of your foot and contain a prescription in order to change the way you walk. They can prevent you overusing certain structures and so help you recover from your problem. If it is agreed that your treatment will include the supply of orthoses, Fitter Feet for Life can provide either hand-made or standard orthoses. Read more details here.

Casts prevent movement and help fracture healing. They can also be used to help the recovery of severe ankle sprains, muscle tears & to aid the recovery of degenerating tendons & ligaments. Where possible, Fitter Feet will issue a removable 'Air Cast' so that you can sleep without a cast. It also allows you to wash and inspect your leg. Features and Benefits of the Air Cast include:

• A low rocker sole for enhanced comfort and natural ambulation
• A wide foot base offers ample room for dressings Ergonomic design to promote greater comfort
• Exclusive overlapping aircells offer superior swelling reduction
• Semi-rigid shells and adjustable aircells for secure support and protection

The Air Cast may be issued because of:

• Stable fracture of foot and/or ankle
• Torn or degenerated ankle tendons
• Severe ankle sprain
• Post-operative use

Orthoses: £640.00 – £720.00
Commercial Orthoses: £68 - £150

Custom Made Orthoses at Fitter Feet:

Custom made orthoses are expertly crafted to ensure that the prescription is tailored specifically to each individual foot. These custom-made orthotics are designed with precision to provide the optimal position for the feet, whether you're walking, running, or playing sports. By properly aligning the feet, they help create a more symmetrical gait, reducing strain on the legs, hips, and lower back. This can prevent or alleviate issues such as foot pain, joint misalignment, and discomfort while improving overall mobility and performance. The expert design and craftsmanship behind handmade orthotics make them an essential tool for maintaining healthy, balanced movement throughout daily activities and athletic performance.

This Fee includes:

• Computer Pressure Plate Gait Analysis
• Scanning the feet to create an accurate copy of the foot.
• Muscle evaluation of the feet and legs. This will highlight abnormalities such as
  • Restricted joint movements of the Hip, Knee or foot
  • Over tight muscles and tendon
  • Weak muscle or tendon groups

• A personal exercise programme, with easy to follow videos which will be emailed to you.
• One pair of hand made orthoses
• A fitting appointment to check the fit of your hand made orthoses
• A review of your orthoses after 6 weeks of use. It is important to review that your pelvic function is symmetrical when wearing your orthoses. Small adjustments can be made free of charge where necessary

Many of our handmade orthoses have a life time guarantee!
With refurbishing costs only.

Commercial Orthoses at Fitter Feet: £68 - £150

This Fee includes:

• One pair of Commercial Orthoses: These orthoses last about a year, and are sometimes called 'temporary orthoses'. They are not ‘hand made’ for you, but they are accommodated for you by heat moulding. They also have additional medical wedges that are added to custom your orthoses. They are tailored to treat your symptoms.
• One Review appointment: Fitter Feet offer a free review appointment after four weeks of use. At this appointment your pelvic alignment will be reviewed to make sure your orthotic prescription allows normal symmetrical movement and that your legs are equal in length. Small adjustments can be made at this appointment if necessary with no further charge.

Why we use a precise Foot Scanning to make foot orthoses

Fitter Feet for life use 3D scanning of the foot is considered an exact science for reproducing the foot's shape when designing custom orthotics because it captures highly accurate, detailed, and precise measurements of the foot's structure. Unlike traditional methods like plaster casting or foam impressions, 3D scanning creates a digital replica that eliminates human error and ensures consistency in each scan. The technology is able to detect subtle variations in the foot’s anatomy, including arches, toe alignment, and pressure points, all of which are critical for tailoring orthotics to the individual’s unique foot mechanics.

Benefits to the patient:

1. Enhanced Comfort and Fit: A precise, custom-fit orthotic designed from a 3D scan ensures optimal support and alignment, which can alleviate discomfort, reduce pain, and improve overall foot function. This can lead to better mobility and improved quality of life.
2. Faster Turnaround: 3D scanning eliminates the need for waiting on physical molds to be shipped to a lab. Digital scans can be quickly transferred to orthotic manufacturers, resulting in faster production times for the patient.
3. Reduced Risk of Errors: Since the digital scan is exact and reproducible, there’s a lower chance of incorrect sizing or misalignment compared to traditional casting methods.
4. Personalized Treatment: The 3D scan takes into account individual characteristics like foot posture, gait, and pressure distribution, which are crucial for customizing orthotics that truly address a patient’s specific needs.

Benefits of 3D Scanning Technique:

1. Precision and Accuracy: 3D foot scans capture every detail of the foot’s shape, ensuring that the orthotics will fit perfectly. This level of precision can’t be matched by traditional methods, which may miss subtle but important features.
2. Repeatability and Consistency: Scans are digital, making them easy to replicate with the exact same measurements for follow-up adjustments or future orthotics if needed. This consistency is a significant advantage over other methods where manual errors can occur.
3. Less Invasive: Unlike the traditional molding process, 3D scanning is a non-invasive, quick procedure with no need for casting materials or messy impressions, making it more comfortable for the patient.
4. Advanced Technology Integration: 3D scanning integrates seamlessly with digital manufacturing processes, enabling precision fabrication of orthotics that are both lightweight and durable, enhancing their performance over time.

The Role of Podiatrists:

Podiatrists are the experts in foot biomechanics, gait analysis, and the design of custom orthotics. Their specialized knowledge allows them to interpret the data from a 3D scan to understand how the foot moves, how pressure is distributed, and what specific corrections are needed. This expertise ensures that the orthotic solution provided is not only based on an accurate scan but also on an in-depth understanding of the patient’s specific foot function, leading to better outcomes in terms of comfort, function, and injury prevention.