Gait Analysis

A gait analysis uncovers precisely how your body moves. Your pattern is bred from your habits and lifestyle as well as your body’s joint mobility, stability, muscle flexibility and strength. If movements include compensations (such as shifting weight off an injured foot to your uninjured foot), a Gait Analysis can pinpoint where these losses of efficiency originate. We know that compensations can lead to injury or keep existing traumas from healing properly. Chronic movement errors can lead to deterioration of joints and be a leading cause of arthritis or pain. Our analysis will dissect your gait cycle, from the stance phase, to swing phase and your running form.

We have two options to choose from if you’re looking for a Gait Analysis:

  • Functional Gait Analysis
  • Running Injury Gait Analysis

Functional Gait Analysis

A Functional Gait Analysis assesses a joint’s specific range of motion and function of the lower back, hips, knees, ankles, feet and toes. It  evaluates any muscle tightness or weakness in the lower extremities and uncovers neurological defects or contributions. We start in the stance phase, moving into the swing phase until we analyze the entire gait cycle.
This analysis includes recommendations based on the findings. Our therapist may also refer you to your family physician as needed if there are specific tests or professional referrals needed. Your specific treatment plan can be initiated in follow up sessions with your therapist.
The analysis will be a one-on one appointment for 1 hour.
Contact Us

Have a Question?

Call your clinic or use the form below & we will contact you.

​Red Deer Downtown Ph: 403-314-4458​

​Red Deer Campus Ph: 403-352-7979​

​Olds Ph: 403-791-2766

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*All of our Athletic Therapists & Physiotherapists are trained in performing Functional Gait Analysis

Follow Up

After receiving your initial assessment, book a follow up appointment within a day or two to begin treatment or work with an exercise therapist under the direction of our therapist. Your Home Program and planning will generally take place during the follow up session as the initial analysis is quite thorough and your therapist may not be able to initiate your full plan on the initial visit. Re-book further at the discretion of your practitioner.

Running Injury Gait Analysis

A Running Injury Gait Analysis identifies how your body moves while walking and running. It also looks at specific research based strength and range of motion parameters to identify to keep you injury free. This includes activities that involve running, jumping or a lot of walking. The increased movement efficiency will also provide you with improved strength and performance. (Jumping, power, etc…)

Gait assessment training and parameters have been developed based on the collaborative research through a number of running injury research centres in North America, such as the Running Injury Clinic and the University of Calgary. Gait training courses and ongoing research allow our gait experts to give you the most modern recommendations. Certified Athletic Therapists specialize in biomechanical evaluation for all injuries.

 

Our Therapists will conduct a visual observation of your running and/or walking biomechanics. Here, they are looking for atypical movement patterns that may stem from any or all of the following:

  • structural anatomy
  • muscle flexibility
  • strength
  • injury

We will also analyse your footwear for noticeable wear patterns on your running shoe as well as the presence of callus patterns on your feet. Over 30 scientifically validated tests and measurements are also conducted to determine structure, strength, and flexibility.

Common Recommendations Include

  • Interventions given for specific muscle strengthening and/or flexibility
  • Slight adjustments to alter your running or walking mechanics
  • Orthotics recommendation as needed to limit/control excessive foot movements and/or promote optimal movements
  • Recommendations for a footwear type best suited to your foot and activity

Follow Up

It is recommended you book a follow up appointment to gain progressions to your Home Program and to re-evaluate your status. Re-book in 1 week is ideal, again in 4 weeks, then again at the discretion of your practitioner.

**It is NOT recommended to have a pedicure previous to a gait assessment to allow for the best assessment of your bare feet

Your Initial Assessment

Bring your current runners and an older pair of used runners (if possible) to show wear patterns. Include insoles or current orthotics used as well.

Wear tighter clothing or shorts to allow for ease of testing, assessment, and measuring purposes.

Running prior to a gait assessment is fine. In many cases it helps the assessment as it creates a greater fatigue of the structures being tested which allows subtle errors to become more obvious. However, running before a gait assessment is not mandatory as accurate results are still measurable by your therapist.