Gait analysis is the observation of walking and running coupling skills of science, art anatomy, physiology and movement. Biomechanics is the way in which we move and how we act upon the earth and the environment around us (Essentially the biological bodies response to mechanical forces). A healthy gait and movement pattern and good functional mechanics will serve us well through life.
Anomalies in our movement pattern and muscle and joint function can lead to pain, wear and sometimes irreversible issues. As we were taught in undergraduate school, its not what you have got, its how you use it.
As practitioners with a special interest in functional movement, a healthy gait pattern need not be adjusted. This applies well to the bare foot condition assuming that a persons natural movement patterns are healthy. When we wear shoes, it can affect how we move long term and which muscles would natural function well and which may become strained or over used, as with joints.
The human foot was designed through evolution functioning bare foot. It is a choice to wear shoes and through our journey, man would have tried many versions of the shoe, starting from perhaps a leather type sock/mocason through to the modern day running shoe. I like my clients to know that your gait and foot function could be be compensated by shoe design. What shoes we chose to wear (or no shoes) as detailed is a personal choice. There are some great technologies out there that allow us to run or walk all day, work in comfort, perform high level sports, however if we are healthy and with healthy gait and foot function, there is no reason we cannot spend parts of our time bare foot.
In the shoe wearing condition, for optimum foot function, it is important you make good choices in terms of the footwear you select. In fact the last musculoskeletal lecture we attended a statement was raised that a shoe, in itself is an orthotic. A good shoe can aid in foot function, a bad shoe could put irregular forces through your foot and therefore into your body in all manor of inappropriate directions and can increase the likelihood of injury.
Not all feet are created equal, some are robust and strong and don’t seem to damage no matter what you throw at them (your classic firm, higher arch foot). Other feet, are more mobile, malleable and vulnerable. For these reasons, a good understanding of your own feet and awareness of its strengths and weakness is imperative to the potential for long term foot health outcomes. If you’re not sure it is worth getting assessed by an expert.
As an example, early in my career, I used to wear smart leather pointy shoes at work when consulting (now I just wear medical scrubs and wide pre mold surgical shoe or trainer). I would wear out the heels to the outside of the shoe and the jamming forces at the front would wear a hole in the sole of my shoe. I would get inside knee pain (medial meniscus and ligament issues) and my hip/lower back would be excessively tilted side to side standing or walking and the body would have to compensate. Result – Pain in my lower back, sciatica and wear on the inside of my knees.
These type of issues may be preventable especially with good footwear choices. If you are wearing shoes that are not the best in design, your own custom made insole can significantly reduce risk to your foot and extend the life of your shoe reducing wear on the shoe.
No, not everybody does needs or should have a custom made insole, but that does not mean you should not have the choice, especially when it comes to being comfortable.
Prescription custom made foot orthotics and personalised insoles can range from everything from a flat, cushioned comfort only device, all the way through to a fully fabricated, flex carbon fibre, or 3D Print full length prescription orthotic device.
We believe in giving patients choice, and part of that is also to give advice on when it is appropriate and not appropriate to wear a custom made insole.
If you require or choose to have gait analysis or custom made insoles whats involved.
When are custom made insoles useful and why should a podiatrist prescribe them.
There are many reasons why a podiatrist will prescribe a custom made orthotic. I will place them in approximate but not specific order.
If we spot anomalies in your gait pattern, eg inefficiencies then we will work with other practitioners such as physiotherapists to ensure that your gait and muscular system are working as efficiently as possible. Believe it or not, high level athletes are the smallest population group set we see (although we do see them). Most of the time, its your average person, doing sports or recreational activities, working professional, pre or post surgical person, person who needs comfort and pain relief who look for help. The trained athlete is usually not in pain and functions well, thats why they make it as good athletes. This is because they tend to have good high functioning bodies that are well adapted and well compensated. Plus they instinctively listen to their bodies and self correct. Probably, the rest of us, do so less well which is why discomfort or injury can happen. Should you wish to learn more about your own feet, them you are more than welcome to discuss your needs with us at Coastal Podiatry.