Comprehensive Gait Analysis at Kallangur Podiatry: Understanding Your Walking & Running Mechanics
What Is Gait Analysis?
Gait analysis is a clinical assessment that evaluates how you walk or run to identify biomechanical abnormalities that may contribute to pain, injury, or inefficient movement. By examining your gait cycle—the sequence of motions in each step—we can detect subtle problems that are often not visible to the naked eye.
Understanding Biomechanical Abnormalities
Efficient movement relies on joints with adequate range of motion and muscles strong enough to generate force. When muscles weaken or joints become stiff due to tightness, your body compensates by altering movement patterns. These compensations can create biomechanical abnormalities, increasing the risk of injury and reducing functional performance.
Common Gait Problems and Their Impact
Some frequent gait irregularities include:
- Hip Drop During Stance Phase – Can contribute to hip bursitis or lower back pain
- Difficulty Clearing the Ground During Swing Phase – May lead to hip discomfort
- Foot Drop – Inability to lift toes, causing instability, trips, or improper heel strike
- Forward Leaning – Increases risk of stumbling or falling
- Improper Use of Walking Aids – Inefficient gait and increased fatigue
- Excessive Heel Weight Bearing – Poor balance and risk of falling backward
Inability to Fully Support Weight – Common after injury or neurological conditions, increasing fall risk
