Gait Analysis
At M Maddocks Inc in Sandton, we offer comprehensive gait analysis services to help improve your walking and running biomechanics. Whether you are an athlete aiming to enhance your performance or someone experiencing discomfort while walking, our gait and video gait analysis assessments provide valuable insights into your movement patterns. Using advanced technology, we offer a personalised approach to help identify any underlying issues and provide tailored solutions to correct your gait.
Our gait analysis services combine traditional methods with cutting-edge video technology, allowing us to evaluate your foot strike, pronation, and overall biomechanics in detail. By identifying subtle issues in your gait, we help reduce the risk of injury, improve performance, and support overall foot health.
The Importance of Gait Analysis
Gait analysis is essential in diagnosing foot, ankle, and lower limb issues that can affect your daily life. It allows podiatrists to observe how your body moves while walking or running, helping to identify abnormal movement patterns that may be causing pain and discomfort, among other issues.
Proper gait mechanics enhance efficiency, prevent overuse injuries, and improve overall form. Whether you experience pain or want to improve your running technique, gait analysis can be an essential part of your health and fitness routine.
Video vs Traditional vs Pressure Plate Gait Analysis
Traditional Gait Analysis
This involves a podiatrist observing your walking or running patterns in person. The practitioner analyses your foot strike, alignment, and movement to assess any issues, through a visual assessment. This has it’s value and at M Maddocks Inc podiatrists we always do this.
Video Gait Analysis
With video gait analysis, we record your movement in real-time with high-speed cameras, providing a more in-depth view of your biomechanics. THis allows us to slow it down and see very subtle movements, frame by frame. This allows for precise analysis of foot pronation, stride, and other key factors, enabling a more detailed and accurate assessment.
Pressure Plate Gait Analysis
At M Maddocks Inc, we use modern pressure plate technology to help our podiatrists understand how your foot interacts with the ground. It gives us far more detail than visual and video analysis.
What We Look For
During a gait analysis, we assess various elements of your walking and/or running pattern, as well as other functional movement and sport specific movements related to your activities. Key factors include joint ranges of motion, foot strike (how your foot lands), foot pronation (the inward roll of your foot), stride length, heel lift and overall alignment of the lower body. We also look for asymmetries or compensations in movement that could lead to overload and subsequent pain or injury.
We focus on the interaction between the foot, ankle, knee, and hip to provide a complete picture of your biomechanics. This allows us to offer solutions ranging from prescribing shoes, custom foot orthotics and /or appropriate referrals to other movement and sport professionals like physios and biokineticists to help correct imbalances and improve efficiency.
How to Prepare for a Gait Analysis
To get the most out of your gait analysis, here are a few steps you can take:
Wear appropriate footwear
Bring the shoes you usually wear for walking, running, gym or your sport (including soccer boots, pointe shoes, track spikes etc), as this will help us assess your gait in a real-world scenario.
Dress comfortably
Wear clothing that allows for easy movement, such as shorts, to ensure the podiatrist can clearly observe your legs and feet.
Be ready to walk or run
You will be asked to walk, run and do other functional tests like squatting and single leg balancing, so be prepared to move comfortably during the assessment.
Provide your history
Share any relevant history of foot pain, injuries, or discomfort, as this information can help tailor the analysis to your needs. Our podiatrists are skilled in getting and filtering the relevant information to assist in cause, diagnosis and treatment plans.
By preparing properly, you’ll ensure the most accurate and beneficial results from your gait analysis at M Maddocks Inc.
Take the first step towards better movement and foot health—book your gait analysis at M Maddocks Inc in Sandton today and let our expert podiatrists help you move with confidence and comfort… getting you back to what you love!
OUR WHY
We help reduce pain,
optimise movement &
get you back to
doing what you love
through knowledge & empowerment.