|
What is Gait Analysis?
Gait analysis is a technique that investigates how one stands and walks. A detailed analysis of the way one stands and walks can reveal the source of muscle, nerve, or skeletal problems.
Standing and walking properly involves a chain of complex actions. Our bodies must integrate sensory feedback from the visual, somatosensory and vestibular systems to properly coordinate our muscles to prevent us from falling. Gait analysis is a descriptive tool that can help a physician better understand how each of these systems contributes to the way one stands or walks.
Finding problems in gait can be the key to identifying the cause of pain in the feet, ankles, legs, knees, hips, back, or neck. Gait analysis can help determine underlying problems such as: bone deformities, movement restrictions, muscle weakness, nerve dysfunction, skeletal or joint malalignments, complications from spasticity or contracture, and complications from arthritis.
Presently, we are focusing our gait consultation service on the following two areas: (1) subjects who are at risk for developing diabetic foot complications and (2) subjects with sports-related injuries.
How Can Gait Analysis Benefit a Person with Diabetes?
One of the major goals of the
Gait
Study
Center
is preventing foot complications in people with diabetes. Many people with diabetes experience loss of feeling in the extremities. In fact, the majority of lower extremity amputations in persons with diabetes occur because skin ulcerations (sores), resulting from excessive pressure or trauma, go undetected due to loss of feeling. Gait analysis is used to determine which areas of a patient’s feet take the most pressure while he/she walks, even if one cannot feel pain. Knowing where these areas of high pressure are can help a podiatric physician find preventative treatments for ulcerations. Preventing an ulcer, or helping an ulcer heal, by properly managing the pressures on the bottom of one‘s feet, could significantly improve the chances of saving a limb from amputation.
How Can Gait Analysis
Ben
efit a Person with a Sports-Related Injury?
Dr.
Howard Palamarchuk
will provide a consultation service for those suffering from sports injuries. Common conditions include plantar fasciitis, heel pain, turf toe, ankle sprains, shin splints, and knee pain. Furthermore appropriate shoe selection for sports and orthotic use can be evaluated.
Why is Gait Analysis Beneficial?
There are many ways to diagnose medical problems including X-rays, clinical examinations, CT scans and MRI studies. Gait analysis offers a unique perspective because it is done while you stand and walk. Since most foot, ankle, leg, and back pain begin or worsen while standing and walking, gait analysis offers a distinct advantage in diagnosing these problems.
What is the
Gait
Study
Center
?
The
Gait
Study
Center
at Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine is among the most advanced human movement laboratories in the world. At the
Gait
Study
Center
, one’s ability to stand and walk is evaluated by experts in the field of biomechanics. These expert researchers work with patients and their physician to determine the exact cause of pain, discomfort, or limitation in function. The referring doctor can use this information to determine the correct treatment for immediate problems, and to prevent any future problems from developing.
What is involved in Gait Analysis?
At the
Gait
Study
Center
, you will be asked to walk at a comfortable speed while various computerized measurements are made. Several types of measurements may be used depending on the nature of the problem. These measurements will be combined with the doctor's tests to determine the problem and the recommended treatment.
Foot Step Analysis: A series of pressure sensitive switches, embedded in a mat on the floor, are activated as one walks over them. Just like foot prints on the sand, a computer captures the impressions of foot prints. By analyzing these foot prints, a computer program calculates the walking pattern, including walking speed, stride length, and step time.
Force and Pressure Measurements: The track at the
Gait
Study
Center
is approximately 52 feet long, one of the longest in the region. As a patient walks on the track, they cross over several plates which record the amount of force and pressure exerted from different parts of the feet. This information is then sent to computers which show two and three-dimensional pictures of how the patient walks.
3-D Motion Analysis: Infrared light is reflected by special markers placed on the skin of the pelvis and lower extremities. A computerized camera system captures the position of these markers in three dimensional space. By relating the movement of the markers to the movement of the person, joint angles and moments can be measured as the person walks.
Muscle Function Measurements: Small electrodes (sensors) are placed over certain muscles on the skin to measure how those muscles are working when one walks. When the muscles are active they produce an electrical signal. Studying the signal the muscle produces is called electromyography (EMG). The electrodes on the skin measure the activity level of the muscle and help determine if there is a problem with the muscles or nerves.
Slow Motion Video: As a person walks, they are videotaped by special slow-motion cameras. Reviewing slow motion and freeze frame video, allows a detailed analysis of walking.
Things to bring on the day of the gait study
- Consultation request form from your doctor
- Relevant medical records and test results (x-ray, MRI report, consultation report, etc.)
- Tight fitting shorts and shirt. Shorts should not cover the knees. Such clothing is necessary
to facilitate observation and measurement of your body movement during walking.
- Shoes, sneakers, foot orthoses, and any braces you may currently be using.
Foot Care at the Foot & Ankle Institute
The
Gait
Study
Center
is a resource used by clinicians throughout the
Delaware
Valley
and the podiatric physicians at The Foot & Ankle Institute of Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine. The Foot & Ankle Institute provides care in all areas of podiatric medicine. By having gait analyzed at the
Gait
Study
Center
, one can be confident of receiving the most up-to-date diagnostic techniques available. By entrusting your care to The Foot & Ankle Institute, you can be sure you will be treated with the high level of courtesy and concern that has been the hallmark of our service for over 30 years.
Podiatric physicians such as the doctors at The Foot & Ankle Institute are specially trained in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of problems of the foot, ankle, and lower leg. A practitioner in this field is a D.P.M. (Doctor of Podiatric Medicine).
You may wish to have the podiatric physicians at The Foot & Ankle Institute perform a comprehensive evaluation of your foot health. The podiatric physician will review your medical history, perform a physical examination of your feet, schedule laboratory tests, X-rays, a gait analysis if necessary, and discuss your personal concerns.
Once a diagnosis is made, your doctor will explain the treatment options available to you. Treatment may include medications, preventive hygiene, exercise, corrective devices for your shoes, or surgery. Every effort will be made to relieve your immediate discomfort. Our podiatric staff encourages you to ask questions before selecting your personalized treatment program.
Physician Referral Guide:
Click to Download Physician Referral Guide in Word Format
Click to Download Physician Referral Guide in Adobe Acrobat Reader
Get Adobe Acrobat Reader
* Please contact the GSC if you have trouble downloading this document.
Sample Clinical Report:
Not available yet
|
