A gait analysis provides information about how your feet and lower limbs function while you walk. At Vancouver Orthotic Clinics, gait analysis may be included as part of a comprehensive orthotic assessment to help evaluate walking patterns, foot mechanics and lower-limb movement.
Combined with a 3D digital foot scan and biomechanical assessment, gait analysis provides additional information that can help identify factors that may contribute to foot and lower-limb discomfort and guide decisions about custom orthotics.
What Is a Gait Analysis?
A gait analysis is an assessment of the way you stand, walk and move. It allows the clinician to observe how your feet, ankles, knees and lower limbs function together during movement.
During gait analysis, we may look at factors such as foot position, pronation, stride, weight transfer and differences between the left and right sides. These observations can provide useful information about how your individual movement patterns may be affecting your feet and lower limbs.
Gait analysis is not used by itself to diagnose the cause of pain. At Vancouver Orthotic Clinics, the findings are considered together with your symptoms, health history, footwear, physical assessment and other biomechanical findings as part of a comprehensive orthotic assessment.
What Does a Gait Analysis Evaluate?
A gait analysis looks at how your feet and lower limbs behave during standing and walking. Because movement patterns vary from person to person, observing gait can provide information that may not be apparent from examining the feet while stationary.
During an orthotic assessment, we may evaluate characteristics such as foot position, pronation and supination, stride and walking pattern, weight transfer, symmetry between the left and right sides, and the relationship between the feet, ankles, knees and lower limbs.
These observations can help identify biomechanical patterns that may be relevant to symptoms such as plantar fasciitis, heel pain, arch discomfort, ankle pain and other lower-limb concerns.
Gait findings are considered alongside your physical assessment, symptoms, footwear and 3D foot scan rather than being interpreted in isolation.
Gait Analysis and Custom Orthotics
Gait analysis can provide useful information when determining whether custom orthotics may be appropriate. By observing how your feet and lower limbs function during walking, we can identify movement patterns that may be relevant to your symptoms and orthotic needs.
For example, gait analysis may help identify excessive pronation, differences in movement between the left and right sides, or patterns of weight transfer that may place additional stress on certain areas of the feet and lower limbs.
When custom orthotics are recommended, gait findings can be considered alongside your 3D foot scan, biomechanical assessment, symptoms, footwear and activity requirements. Together, this information helps guide an individualized orthotic prescription rather than relying on foot shape alone.
Custom orthotics are not required for every gait variation or every person experiencing foot pain. The purpose of the assessment is to understand your individual biomechanics and determine which recommendations may be appropriate for you.
Gait Analysis and 3D Foot Scanning
Gait analysis and 3D foot scanning provide different but complementary information about your feet. A 3D foot scan captures detailed information about foot shape and structure, while gait analysis helps evaluate how your feet and lower limbs function during movement.
Looking at both structure and movement can provide a more complete understanding of your individual biomechanics. Two people may have similar foot shapes, for example, but demonstrate very different movement patterns while walking.
At Vancouver Orthotic Clinics, information from gait analysis and 3D foot scanning can be considered together with your symptoms, clinical examination, footwear and activity requirements as part of a comprehensive orthotic assessment.
sThis approach helps ensure that recommendations are based on the individual rather than on a scan or gait observation alone.
Who May Benefit From a Gait Analysis?
Gait analysis may be useful for people experiencing recurring foot or lower-limb discomfort, particularly when symptoms appear during standing, walking, running or other activities. It may also provide useful information for people being assessed for custom orthotics.
People seeking a gait and biomechanical assessment may be experiencing concerns such as plantar fasciitis, heel pain, flat feet or overpronation, arch pain, Achilles tendon discomfort, ankle pain, knee discomfort or other symptoms that may be influenced by lower-limb mechanics.
Gait analysis may also be useful for people who spend long hours on their feet, participate regularly in sports or exercise, have noticed uneven shoe wear, or already use custom orthotics and would like their foot mechanics reassessed.
An unusual gait pattern does not automatically mean that treatment or custom orthotics are required. The findings need to be considered together with your symptoms, clinical assessment and individual needs.
What Happens During a Gait Analysis?
During a gait analysis, you will typically be asked to walk while your foot and lower-limb movement is observed. This allows us to evaluate how your feet function during movement rather than relying only on a stationary examination.
We may look at how your feet contact the ground, how your weight transfers through each step, whether the feet pronate or supinate, and how movement at the feet relates to the ankles, knees and lower limbs.
Your gait analysis is considered together with information from your health history, symptoms, footwear, biomechanical assessment and 3D foot scan. This helps provide a more complete picture of your individual foot mechanics.
The process is non-invasive and is only one component of the overall assessment. The goal is not simply to identify differences in the way you walk, but to determine whether those findings are relevant to your symptoms and treatment needs.
Benefits of Gait Analysis
Gait analysis provides an opportunity to evaluate your feet and lower limbs while they are functioning during movement. This can add useful information to an assessment that may not be apparent from examining the feet while sitting or standing still.
Observing your walking pattern may help identify differences in pronation, weight transfer, stride and movement between the left and right sides. These findings can then be considered in relation to your symptoms and other clinical findings.
When custom orthotics are being considered, gait analysis can also help provide context for information collected during a 3D foot scan and biomechanical assessment. Together, these findings can contribute to a more individualized approach to orthotic recommendations.
The goal is not to create a “perfect” walking pattern. Normal gait varies between individuals. Instead, the assessment focuses on identifying biomechanical findings that may be relevant to your symptoms, comfort and functional needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gait Analysis
Is gait analysis painful?
No. Gait analysis is non-invasive. You are typically observed while standing or walking so that your foot and lower-limb movement can be evaluated.
How long does a gait analysis take?
Gait analysis is one component of your overall orthotic assessment. The appointment also allows time to discuss your symptoms and health history, examine your feet and lower limbs, assess biomechanics, review footwear and, when appropriate, perform a 3D foot scan.
Can gait analysis detect overpronation?
Gait analysis can help identify how the foot moves during walking, including patterns of pronation. These observations need to be interpreted together with your symptoms, foot structure and other biomechanical findings.
Do I need gait analysis before getting custom orthotics?
A comprehensive assessment is important when determining whether custom orthotics may be appropriate. Gait analysis can provide useful information about how your feet function during movement and can be considered alongside your 3D foot scan, biomechanical assessment and clinical findings.
What should I bring to my gait analysis?
If possible, bring footwear you wear regularly, particularly shoes associated with your symptoms, work or physical activities. If you already use custom orthotics or other insoles, bring those as well so they can be reviewed as part of your assessment.
Book a Gait Analysis & Orthotic Assessment in Vancouver
If you are experiencing foot pain, recurring lower-limb discomfort or would like to better understand how your feet function while walking, Vancouver Orthotic Clinics offers comprehensive orthotic assessments that include gait analysis.
Your assessment includes a review of your symptoms and health history, gait analysis, 3D digital foot scanning and biomechanical evaluation to help us better understand your individual foot structure and function.
New Patient Orthotic Assessment: $95
Custom orthotics, when recommended, are an additional cost.