Why are My Feet and Toes Peeling?
Flaky feet might signal dry skin — or something more surprising. Learn more about the common causes of peeling toes and soles and top tips to soothe, treat, and restore your skin’s health.
What Is a Gait Analysis?
If you're dealing with ongoing foot pain, leg discomfort, or even back issues, or if you're an athlete aiming to enhance your performance, a gait analysis might be just what you need to feel better and move more comfortably.
Walking might seem simple, but it’s actually a complex process. Even minor misalignments in your kinetic chain can cause significant strain on your back, knees, hips, or ankles.
At Premier Foot and Ankle Center in Worcester, Webster, and Whitinsville, Massachusetts, our expert podiatrists use gait analysis to identify issues in your stride and develop personalized treatment plans to improve comfort, efficiency, and reduce injury risks. Here’s what you need to know.
What is a gait analysis?
A gait analysis involves carefully observing and assessing how you walk or run to detect misalignments, inefficiencies, or problematic movement patterns. Your gait can affect the health of your joints and spine. Ideally, your foot arch absorbs shock with every step, while the intricate network of your toes and ankles keeps you stable.
However, if your gait is off — even slightly — increased stress on your skeletal and muscular systems can lead to pain and injuries. A gait analysis can pinpoint these issues and offer solutions to improve your overall movement.
How we perform a gait analysis
Gait analysis at Premier Foot and Ankle Center is a step-by-step process designed to evaluate your stride thoroughly. Using a specialized computerized treadmill, we monitor how your feet strike the ground, the length of your stride, how much force you use, and other factors.
You walk normally on the treadmill while our software gathers data. If you're an athlete, we may also assess your running pattern. The data break the gait cycle into two phases, each with distinct sub-phases.
Stance phase (60% of the gait cycle):
- Initial contact: Heel strikes the ground
- Loading response: Foot flattens on the ground
- Mid-stance: Shin is perpendicular to the ground
- Terminal stance: Heel begins to lift
- Pre-swing: Toes push off the ground
Swing phase (40% of the gait cycle):
- Initial swing: Hip flexes to lift the leg
- Mid-swing: Knees and hips drive the leg forward
- Late swing: Leg straightens in preparation for the next heel strike
For an ideal gait, both feet should touch the ground simultaneously for about 20% of the stance phase.
What we learn from your analysis
Our advanced gait analysis system evaluates weight distribution on your feet as they hit the ground and measures how efficiently your feet propel you forward. We look for issues such as:
- Underpronation (feet rolling outward)
- Overpronation (arches collapse when feet strike the ground)
Each of these conditions can trigger problems like joint pain, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, and even chronic back pain.
Sometimes, we enhance our analysis with electromyography (EMG), which uses electrodes to study muscle activity while you walk or run.
Putting your gait analysis results to use
After identifying issues through your gait analysis, our team designs a treatment plan tailored to meet your needs. For instance, if you overpronate or underpronate, we may recommend:
- Orthotics tailored to correct alignment
- Physical therapy to improve strength and flexibility
- Chiropractic care to address alignment issues
Occasionally, a gait issue might point to an underlying condition. If needed, we’ll order imaging studies like X-rays to diagnose and treat the root cause of your problem.
Correcting abnormal gait patterns can relieve pain and prevent injuries, allowing you to move with confidence and ease every day.
If you’d like to learn more about how a gait analysis can benefit you, call Premier Foot and Ankle Center in Worcester, Webster, or Whitinsville, Massachusetts. We specialize in helping you achieve efficient, pain-free movement.
You Might Also Enjoy...
The Connection Between Back Pain and Your Feet
Back pain and foot pain don’t always seem related, but they often are. Imbalances in one area can throw off the other, creating a cycle of discomfort. Understanding the connection could help you find lasting relief.
5 Tips for Runners to Prevent Black Toenails
Black toenail injuries are common among high-intensity runners, distance runners, or those who increase their mileage rapidly. Find out what causes “runner’s toe,” and learn simple strategies to help you overcome and avoid the problem.
High Heels and Morton’s Neuroma: Yes, There Is a Connection
Many women prefer the style of high heels, but wearing them regularly can lead to a host of issues, Morton’s neuroma being one of them. Learn why you may need to say no to heels going forward.
4 Reasons You May Need a Medical Pedicure
You may think of a pedicure as a luxury, but it can be a medical necessity. We can help keep your feet looking great and healthy.
Common Foot Problems During Pregnancy and What You Can Do About Them
Everybody knows pregnancy changes your belly, but many women are surprised that pregnancy takes a big toll on their feet, too. Here, learn what foot problems you might experience when you’re expecting and what you can do to find relief.