“What is a "gait analysis"?”
After going to a few appointments with my physiatrist, he wants to perform a gait analysis. I understand that it's supposed to measure my body while walking, but what exactly is it measuring? And is this test used to diagnose any conditions?
4 Answers
They try to find out if any muscle weakness or joint problems are causing abnormal gait.
To give you the best outcome from a gait analysis I recommend you don't think too much about it. The PT is observing the mechanical process of walking. Yes it can be used to diagnose neurological conditions but it is no reason for you to worry. Maybe they are checking to see if you need any orthopedic treatment such as orthotics in your shoe.
Gait analysis can be utilized to determine if there are abnormal forces going through any of a number of joints including the ankle, knee, hip or even forces transmitted to the low back which may be creating pain due to asymmetry.
It’s a very important examination watching a person walk (gait ). Tells a lot to the expert eye. It shows all sorts of discrepancies such as hip mal alignment back torsions. You would be amazed how much you can learn from the way people walk. I constantly diagnose people when I am out. I can tell if they have scoliosis if they have hip mal alignment knock knees pigeon toed knee problems. Neck problems. Don’t forget this is how we are trained. Gait analysis has become very sophisticated and measurements are taken to help in diagnosis. For example, one leg may be longer than the other. This can put your hip out. Many measurements are computerized. It is a fascinating study of the body for drs who are going into the study of functional anatomy. Many are gait analysis specialists. This all they do. I can tell by the heel wear in ones shoe how your foot strikes the ground. Ground reaction forces come up from the ground first point of contact is your foot if your foot is not stable to absorb the shock of these forces they radiate up the body to the knee the hip and back. Even the jaw. A great number of patients who have knee ,hip ,back problems even jaw problems can be traced to unstable feet when walking. Like I say fascinating. One of my colleagues in Edinburgh was treating a patient with knee problems. The patient was also seeing the orthodontist for jaw problems. When the patients feet were stabilized. The jaw problem was solved I know difficult to believe. But remember the body is all connected. Hope this helps .
