Biomechanical Assessment & Gait Analysis to Establish – Diagnosis, Causative Factors, Offer Best Treatment Plan & Prevent Pain From Returning

At Rowlands Podiatry, we understand how pain in your feet or ankles can affect your daily life. A biomechanical assessment is a thorough examination of how your feet, ankles, knees, and even hips move and work together. At the start of your appointment, the podiatrist will ask detailed questions about your symptoms, when the pain occurs, and any activities or shoes that affect your comfort. This helps guide the examination so we can find the possible causes of your pain.

Our assessment focuses on finding the root mechanical issue, not just treating symptoms. By looking closely at how you stand and move, we will help you return to comfortable, pain-free walking and activity. Throughout the assessment, we will explain each step, so you know what we are doing and why.

Non-Weightbearing Examination

The first part of the assessment happens when you are seated or lying down, so your legs and feet are not carrying weight. During this exam, the practitioner will move your foot and ankle through various positions. You may feel your foot and ankle being gently turned or pressed in different directions; this shows us how flexible each joint is. For example, we might check how far your foot can tilt or flex in each direction. The practitioner will also feel along the bones and joints to check for any lumps, areas of tightness, or irregularities that might contribute to your pain. Testing without weight on the foot reveals the natural position of your foot and highlights any joints that are stiffer or more flexible than normal. This gives us a baseline of how your foot is built and moving.

Weightbearing Examination

Next, we will observe your feet, legs, and overall posture while you are standing. In the weightbearing examination, you will stand naturally on both feet, and the podiatrist may ask you to shift your weight or even stand on one foot at a time. We will look at how your arch appears when you are standing – for example, some people’s arches flatten under weight, while others remain high. We note the angle of your heels and ankles to see if they tend to roll inward (overpronate) or outward (supinate). You may also be asked to stand on your toes or heels briefly so we can see how your arch and calf muscles respond to pressure.

These observations show how your body balances and distributes weight over your feet. A foot that looks normal without weight might behave very differently when you stand on it. We also check the alignment of your knees and hips to see if one leg is slightly shorter or if the legs have any twist. Checking from behind, we observe if one hip is higher than the other or if your spine is tilted, since these issues can affect how your feet function. Together, these standing tests reveal posture or alignment problems that can contribute to foot or ankle pain.

Joint Range of Motion and Muscle Strength Testing

We will measure the range of motion (ROM) of key joints. You will be asked to move your ankle and foot in different directions – for example, bringing your foot up toward your shin (dorsiflexion) or pointing your toes down (plantarflexion), and moving your foot inward or outward. We may also examine your big toe joint by bending it up and down. Each movement is observed to see if it is limited in any way. For instance, if your ankle cannot bend upward enough, you might walk on your toes and strain other parts of your leg.

We also test muscle strength by having you push against the examiner’s hand or resistance. For example, you might press your foot into a resisting force or lift your toes while we apply gentle pressure. We assess the strength of your calf muscles, shin muscles, and the smaller muscles in your foot. Comparing each side helps us identify any imbalance or weakness. A tight tendon or weak muscle can change the way you move and often leads to overloading another part of the foot or leg.

Gait Analysis

The gait analysis involves watching you walk (and sometimes run) to see your feet and legs in motion. You will be asked to walk a short distance across the clinic (often back and forth a few times) and sometimes on a treadmill if needed. We observe your gait from multiple angles. The practitioner will note how your heel strikes the ground, how your foot rolls (pronates) during the step, and how your toes and forefoot push off. We also pay attention to your knees and hips, and how your upper body moves in coordination as you walk.

In some clinics, video or pressure mapping may be used, but often a careful visual observation is enough. We can see if you limp, if one foot turns in or out, or if your step length is uneven. This is important because some issues only become apparent in motion. For example, you might walk differently when tired or when wearing certain shoes. The gait analysis helps confirm what we found in the standing examination and tells us how to adjust your treatment accordingly.

The Purpose of Biomechanical Assessment

All these examination steps have one main goal: to identify the root cause of your pain. By combining information from the non-weightbearing exam, the standing assessment, and the gait analysis, the practitioner gets a complete picture of how your body moves. We look for factors like tight muscles, stiff or hypermobile joints, poor foot posture (very flat or very high arches), or muscle weaknesses. For example, an extremely tight Achilles tendon can reduce ankle motion and lead to heel pain, while excessive inward rolling of the foot (overpronation) can contribute to knee or hip pain. Catching these issues early allows us to address them directly with treatment.

Once the cause is understood, we can plan a personalised treatment plan. This often includes custom-made foot orthotics (shoe insoles) to support your feet, exercises to stretch and strengthen specific muscles, advice on proper footwear, and techniques to improve your walking pattern. We offer MLS laser therapy which can reduce inflammation and pain levels so you can restart stretching and strengthening program quicker with significant reduction of pain. For some longer-term injuries, we can offer extracorporeal radial shockwave therapy. Shockwave therapy is a non-invasive treatment that uses sound waves to stimulate your body’s natural healing process. It helps to reduce pain and improve recovery in conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and other musculoskeletal injuries. The aim is not only to relieve your current pain but also to prevent it from coming back. Addressing the underlying mechanical issues helps you move more efficiently and safely in the future.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions and get explanations throughout the assessment. At the end, the practitioner will review the findings with you and discuss the best way to manage your symptoms. Often, this includes a mix of treatments like orthotics or exercises. The full assessment may take around 45 minutes, so it’s a good idea to wear shorts or loose pants and comfortable shoes.

By the time your assessment is complete, you will have a better understanding of why your foot or ankle hurts and what steps we can take to help you feel better. Our goal is to make you feel reassured and informed every step of the way.

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