Biomechanical Assessments, Gait Analysis and Foot Orthoses in Streatham, London

• Quality gait assessments for children and adults
• Mechanical fine tuning for athletes and professional dancers
• Special interest in biomechanics for running, walking and performance

 

What is a biomechanical assessment?

Pain or recurring injuries when walking, running or performing are always a serious problem, but can be disastrous if this affects your quality of life, health, or livelihood.

Signs of bunions, clawing of the toes, joint pains in the foot, ankle, knee and hip, hard skin formation and recurring injuries could all be signs of problems because of imbalance, malalignment and pressures as our bodies slowly change throughout our lives.

Like the moving parts in the engine of a car – it is because we move that we change. Those small changes, happening slowly and invisibly over the years, can lead to pressure on certain parts of our feet, legs and back, causing inflammation, pain or recurring problems. A biomechanical assessment looks at the foot, ankle and legs from a mechanical point of view, exactly ike engineers would look at an engine to understand how, exactly, it works, so to understand why problems occur. From there it is possible to understand how to fine tune the engine to help it perform at its best.

A biomechanical assessment may sometimes use computer and pressure sensing equipment to assist a diagnosis for specialist or complex conditions.

 

Who needs a biomechanical assessment?

A patient is often recommended to have a biomechanical assessment by a medical or healthcare professional who suspects a problem may be due to small structural changes of the foot or leg over time. Sometimes, one of our podiatry team may have explained that a problem is related to the movement of the feet or legs, or perhaps a physiotherapist, orthopaedic surgeon or GP may recommend an gait assessment.

If you have recurring or unusual foot pains, recurring injuries, or if you have noticed the arch of the foot lowering, or the toes changing positions, you may also benefit from a biomechanical assessment.

You do not have to be an elite athlete to see our biomechanics specialist, Daud; we are all changing over our lives and many of us will notice problems creeping in. It’s good to know that Daud, through his own person journey at the very top of sport, can help people of all ages and abilities. He works with children and adults with walking or running problems, and with a wide variety of disabilities and health problems. He also helps athletes from a wide variety of disciplines, and those from the world of dance and performance.

 

Can a biomechanical assessment give long-term solutions?

The biomechanical assessment is to:

• Identify the underlying cause of your problems or concerns.
• Discuss what we can do to help, including any options.
• Explain what treatment can realistically achieve

We always seek the best possible, long-term solution for foot and leg problems, allowing you to remain as fully functioning and symptom-free for as long as possible.

 

What should I bring or wear to a biomechanical assessment?

When attending a biomechanical assessment, our checklist includes:

• Wear loose trousers that can be rolled above the knees, or bring some shorts to change in to.
• Bring in anything you have been given in the past, such as old orthoses or insoles, even if they did not help.
• Bring in a selection of shoes that you normally wear, including your every day shoes, and any specific shoes used for work or sports.
• Bring a list of anything you think is relevant, such as a history of any injuries, surgery or medication you are taking.

 

What does treatment involve?

Treatment may involve stretches, exercises, manipulations, or orthoses, which are like insoles worn to control and support the way the foot moves to reduce inuries and symptoms. Our assessments are to find out the underlying cause of your problems to find out what the options are for treatment and the ways forward.

You will not be under any pressure to commit to any treatment. We are here to find out the problem, give you information, and offer options.

Occasionally, a problem may need physiotherapy, further investigations, such as a scan or x-ray, or referral to a hospital specialist. If this is the case, we can discuss this with you, and how we can most effectively get the help you need. We will only communicate with other healthcare or medical professionals with your approval.

 

We have built our 30 year reputation working with exceptional professionals so you can have confidence in the advice and care you will receive.