The Importance of Gait Analysis

Whether you’re a dedicated athlete, a weekend walker, or someone dealing with daily discomfort, understanding the way you move (your gait) can be the key to lasting comfort and performance. 

Gait analysis is a powerful diagnostic tool used by physiotherapists and health professionals to assess the mechanics of your walking or running pattern, identify any inefficiencies, and address problems at their root.

But gait analysis isn’t just about identifying why your knee hurts after a jog. It’s about uncovering subtle movement issues that, left untreated, can contribute to chronic pain, injury, or reduced performance. 

At Willaston Physio, our cutting-edge 3D Gait Analysis and custom Phits Orthotics take this service to the next level.

What Is Gait Analysis?

Gait analysis is the systematic study of how a person walks or runs. It involves assessing movement patterns, joint angles, muscle activity, and ground reaction forces throughout the gait cycle. These insights help professionals understand whether your body is moving efficiently, or if biomechanical issues are leading to strain or injury.

In traditional clinical settings, gait analysis might rely on observation alone. At Willaston Physio, we use advanced technology to create a far more detailed and accurate picture of your movement.

Why Is Gait Analysis Important?

1. Injury Prevention

Running, walking, and standing are repetitive activities. Small inefficiencies in your gait can lead to overuse injuries over time. Conditions like plantar fasciitis, shin splints, runner’s knee, hip pain, or lower back issues often stem from biomechanical imbalances. Identifying these early through gait analysis can help prevent long-term damage.

2. Pain Management

Many patients come to us with persistent pain that doesn’t respond well to general treatment. Gait analysis reveals how load is distributed across the joints and muscles, helping us trace pain back to its root cause. For instance, foot overpronation might cause knee instability, while poor hip control could lead to recurring lower back pain.

3. Performance Enhancement

For athletes, gait analysis can fine-tune movement efficiency. By identifying energy leaks or imbalances, we can help you run or walk with less effort, greater speed, and reduced risk of fatigue or injury.

3D Gait Analysis at Willaston Physio

At Willaston Physio, we offer 3D Gait Analysis using the dynamic RS Footscan, one of the most advanced systems available today. This state-of-the-art equipment goes far beyond traditional assessment methods by providing a comprehensive pressure and motion analysis of the entire lower limb during walking or running.

Step 1: Full Movement Assessment

You walk or run across a pressure plate embedded in the floor. The RS Footscan records thousands of data points, capturing the pressure distribution across your feet in real-time, throughout the gait cycle.

Step 2: Biomechanical Review

Our physiotherapists use this data to examine how your feet strike the ground, how pressure travels across your foot, how your knees and hips are affected, and how your posture and body alignment are involved in any dysfunction.

Step 3: Digital Analysis and Reporting

The system generates detailed visuals and metrics on gait timing, foot loading, arch collapse, pronation/supination, and asymmetry. This data is used to design an individualised treatment or orthotic plan.

Why Phits Orthotics?

One of the most powerful outcomes of our gait analysis service is the ability to create customisedorthotic insoles using Phits Orthotics, a world-leading 3D-printing orthotic solution.

The insole is designed using the exact data from your RS Footscan. This ensures a perfect match to your unique pressure distribution, gait style, and posture. Unlike traditional orthotics, Phitsinsoles are manufactured using 3D printing technology. This allows for greater design precision, lighter materials, and improved durability.

In some cases, depending on the complexity of the issue and the user’s activity level, an “off-the-shelf” orthotic may be suitable. We’ll help you determine which option is right for you following your assessment.

Who Can Benefit from Gait Analysis?

The short answer: almost everyone!

• Runners & Walkers: Prevent injuries, improve efficiency, and recover smarter.

• People with Persistent Pain: Especially foot, ankle, knee, hip, or lower back pain.

• Post-Surgery Patients: Optimise movement patterns after orthopaedic procedures.

• Occupational Strain: People who spend long hours standing or walking at work.

• Those with Flat Feet or High Arches: Tailor support to your unique foot shape.

• Diabetic Patients: Foot pressure mapping helps reduce the risk of ulcers or skin breakdown.

What Happens After the Analysis?

Once your gait analysis is complete, your physiotherapist will:

1. Discuss Your Results: You’ll be shown where imbalances or problems exist and how they may be contributing to discomfort or reduced performance.

2. Recommend a Treatment Plan: This may include a combination of physiotherapy, strength and mobility exercises, orthotics, and lifestyle adjustments.

3. Provide Custom Orthotics (If Needed): If your assessment shows that orthotics will benefit you, we’ll facilitate the design and delivery of your custom Phits insoles or recommend suitable alternatives.

4. Monitor Progress: Follow-up sessions may be scheduled to ensure your treatment or orthotic solution is working as intended and make any adjustments as needed.

If you’re experiencing persistent aches or injuries that just won’t go away, or you simply want to perform better and feel more comfortable on your feet, our 3D Gait Analysis service could be the missing piece.

Book your gait assessment today and take the first step toward better movement.