The Gait Scan apparatus is a sophisticated gait analysis tool that enables a rapid and accurate assessment of the bio-mechanical function of the feet whilst walking and stationary.

The gait analysis provided enables the practitioner to determine whether a patient has tendency to pronate or supinate during walking. Excessive tendency in either direction can give rise to a number of joint problems that can be the cause of chronic pain.

The dynamic gait analysis can reveal bio-mechanical dysfunction. Over pronation means that too much pressure is put on the inner borders of the feet during the walking action; over supination means that excessive pressure is on the outside border of the foot.

Determining the weight distribution in standing helps in the diagnosis of problems in the foot and elsewhere that cause pain. Including a dynamic gait analysis of the pressure distribution of the foot during the act of walking provides a wealth of information that is useful not only in the diagnosis of problems but can help in the generation of an orthotic device that is custom made to help correct the underlying dysfunction. In turn the use of the orthotic will help to restore optimal mechanics and can lead to reduction and even the elimination of pain.

To undertake a gait analysis the patient first stands on a pressure sensitive plate that is connected to a computer. This analyses the static pressure (weight) distribution of the feet.

The result of the gait analysis highlights areas of high pressure on the feet and may help to explain sore points.

The next stage involves the patient walking normally over the plate to obtain a dynamic visualisation of the pressure distribution. It identifies movement of the patients centre of gravity and the relative times spent at each part of the gait cycle.

The pressure distribution and the manner in which this distribution changes can identify whether the patient is either over pronating or supinating.

Either of these can lead not only to problems in the feet themselves but also influence the way in which the lower limb and the whole spine responds to this movement pattern.

This information is coupled with a full report of the gait analysis. The Gait Scan allows any problems to be identified from a proper diagnosis of bio mechanical function and a prescription for orthotics to optimise the bio-mechanics of the feet can then be derived.

The information generated by our Gait Scan analysis and consultation in our Leeds Clinic is then used to prescribe custom orthotics designed to restore foot function back to normal.