Helping the Ministry of Defence with Gait Analysis

We were invited by the Ministry of Defence to perform gait analysis on 600 troops at their health fair — a fantastic opportunity to bring our expertise to people who depend on their feet every single day.

What is gait analysis?

Gait analysis is a biomechanical examination where our podiatrists determine how efficiently your body moves when walking or running. Asymmetries or abnormalities in your foot strike and loading pattern can cause joint, muscle, ligament or tendon soreness further up the body in the ankle, knee, hip and back. The assessment allows us to identify these issues and tailor your treatment plan to get you walking, running or competing pain-free, while offering the best advice to reduce the risk of future injuries.

Gait analysis can be useful for those who:

• Experience pain when walking or running
• Suffer from sore feet when standing all day
• Have foot, ankle, knee, hip or back pain
• Suffer from conditions such as plantar fasciitis or metatarsalgia
• Have flat feet, bunions, neuromas or hammer toes
• Have balance issues or bad posture
• Are physically active and play sport

An assessment begins with a static scan to look at your posture and weight distribution when standing. We then complete a dynamic gait analysis to assess how you walk across the system.

The results can be used to diagnose foot, ankle or hip related issues, identify risks of injury, recommend appropriate footwear, and design Phits 3D-printed orthotic insoles specific to your needs. Phits orthotics are designed from your real-time dynamic data to restore biomechanical imbalances in your lower limbs and provide tailored support and cushioning where you need it most.

They help to improve comfort, efficiency and performance by optimising your foot mechanics, while minimising pain and the risk of injury. Custom-made and medically advanced, they are made to fit the unique shape of your feet whilst remaining slimline and durable.

If something doesn’t feel right, don’t put up with it. Book an appointment with our HCPC-registered podiatrists and we’ll get to the root of the problem.