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Podiatry biomechanical assessment
Very few people are blessed with perfectly symmetrical bodies, with all joints, ligaments and muscles working in perfect harmony.
For the vast majority of people who are not so fortunately blessed, when we stand, walk or run our body has to cope with, and compensate for, these imperfections. It is these imperfections that put body structures such as muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons under excessive strain as they function in a compromised manner. Months and years of this excessive strain inevitably leads to inflammation and injury.
A podiatry biomechanical assessment Involves the examination of the lower limbs, looking at their structure, alignment, strengths and weaknesses. The examination is not focused simply upon the foot but includes the pelvis, legs and knees, assessing the relationship between each different body part. It is important to examine the lower limbs as a whole, because they are closely connected and pain in one area can be due to a weakness or structural problems in another.
During the 1 hour assessment I will firstly assess the patient’s walking and running styles on a treadmill. I video the assessment in order to allow the patient to see their particular gait and posture. I also conduct a range of weight bearing, and non weight bearing tests and exercises. I assess the patient’s foot type, joint range of motion and muscle alignment. Patients are requested to bring 2 pairs of their everyday shoes as well as footwear used in their chosen sporting activities (trainers, football boots, cleats etc).
The results of the biomechanical assessment allow a complex evaluation of the patient’s feet, legs, gait and posture, and enables me to correctly evaluate and identify any lower limb issues that need to be addressed. This can either be in the form of a rehabilitation programme, or if the problem is mechanical - an orthotic prescription.
- Benefits of Biomechanical Assessment - You will learn:
- - What the cause of your pain is
- - What foot structure / type you have
- - Which muscle groups are being under / overused
- - Specific exercises to help you function better
- - Which footwear will suit you most
- - Why you keep injuring yourself during sport
- - Which orthoses would help you most
Orthotics
These are specially designed devices that are worn inside the shoe in order to control abnormal foot function and/or accommodate painful areas of the foot, and are prescribed and fitted by the Podiatrist. Properly designed foot orthoses compensate for impaired foot function by controlling abnormal motion across the joints of the foot. This results in a dramatic improvement in symptoms.
After having collated all necessary evidence from the Biomechanical Assessment, a foam impression is taken of the patient’s feet and the orthoses are then constructed using this impression. This results in a pair of truly bespoke orthoses that are tailored to the patient’s individual foot shape, size and prescription.
In some cases, pre manufactured orthoses can also be prescribed.
- Benefits of Orthoses:
- - Considerably improve your foot function
- - Can alleviate pain in other parts of your body
- - Improve your performance
- - Preserve joints
- - Prevent injury
- - Improve comfort
What my patients are saying...
Deborah comes to my home in Bramhall and provides a full chiropody maintenance service, and was even able to respond to an infected corn promptly and efficiently. I would not have any hesitation whatsoever to recommend Deborah to anyone I know.
After an hour biomechanical assessment Deborah was able to identify the underlying cause of my hip pain and discomfort when walking. I wear my orthotics all the time and they enable me to work with considerably less pain than I experienced before.
I have been very impressed with Deborah and will continue to use her for my treatments. Deborah is very friendly, gentle and thorough! The service she provides really is exceptional.
