Check your Foot Health. Participate in a 2 Minutes Survey
What is a Biomechanical Assessment?
A Biomechanical Assessment looks at the way in which your joints and muscles move together while you stand, walk and run.
When we stand, walk or run our body has to compensate for anomalies such as non-symmetry, muscle weakness, muscle tightness, joint issues, and bony issues. Over time, these compensations put strain on the body and can lead to injury, inflammation and pain.
At ProMed Podiatry, your Podiatrist will assess for abnormalities and compensations, which provides important information to assist in diagnosing the underlying cause of many pain issues including heel pain, knee pain and even back pain. A Biomechanical Assessment is also used to optimise your walking and running style to help prevent future injuries occurring.
What is involved in a Biomechanical Assessment?
A Biomechanical Assessment includes both a Static and Dynamic Assessment.
Static Assessment
Your Podiatrist will assess you laying down and standing up.
The assessment includes:
- Non-weight bearing assessment of leg length, hip joint, knee joint, ankle joint, rearfoot and forefoot joints.
- Muscle flexibility of the lower limb
- Muscle strength of the lower limb
- Weight bearing lower limb posture assessment.
- Gait assessment to view walking style and mechanical overload
Dynamic Assessment (Gait Analysis)
Your Podiatrist will observe you walking and/or running. A gait assessment involves observing and analysing your walking and/or running style for mechanical issues including imbalances, and mechanical overloading. This allows us to accurately evaluate your gait pattern.
Why is a Biomechanical Assessment important?
A Biomechanical Assessment provides our Podiatrists with important information which enables them to:
- Diagnose and treat the cause of pain
- Reduce recovery time from injury
- Reduce risk of future injury
- Improve performance
A full biomechanical assessment is required if a custom orthotic device will be part of your treatment plan. The assessment allows the Podiatrist to determine what sort of orthotic will work best, which structures need to be offloaded, which areas might be at risk of injury in the future and what footwear will work best for you.
Please call our friendly staff to book an appointment for your Biomechanical Assessment on 07 5522 1230 or book online.