A big part of Podiatry these days is gait assessment and analysis. This simply means watching the way someone walks and runs and identifying abnormalities in the way the joints and muscles interact, or problems with alignment of joints at certain points in each step.

Traditionally, a Podiatrist will observe someone walking up and down a hallway and then try to explain to that patient what they are seeing. Here at Mark Palmer Podiatry, we utilise video analysis software (the same as Channel 9 Sports) to allow not only finer, more exact analysis of the gait and movement, but more importantly, an opportunity for the patient to view the footage and understand what’s happening with their own bodies.

Gait analysis plays a huge role in our diagnosis and management of conditions as well as prescription of our orthotics. It allows us to view problems with the feet and ankles, but also the affect that has on the whole leg and hip mechanics. For this reason, we often have referrals from Physio’s and Chiropractors so we can assess how someone’s walking can be contributing to symptoms further up the body!