Biomechanical Assessment
Persistent foot, ankle, shin, knee or hip pain is not always caused by the area that hurts. In many cases, the way the feet and lower limbs move can contribute to ongoing pain or repeated injury.
A biomechanical assessment looks at how your feet, ankles, knees and hips work together when you stand, walk and, where appropriate, run. This helps us identify factors that may be contributing to your symptoms and create a treatment plan based on how you move.
At Bucks Podiatry, we offer comprehensive biomechanical and gait assessments at our Amersham and Beaconsfield clinics.
What is a biomechanical assessment?
A biomechanical assessment is a detailed examination of the way your lower limbs move and function.
Your appointment may include:
- A discussion about your symptoms, previous injuries, activity levels and goals
- Assessment of your footwear
- Joint range-of-motion testing
- Muscle strength and flexibility assessment
- Foot posture and alignment assessment
- Examination of the ankle, knee and hip where relevant
- Walking gait analysis
- Computerised gait analysis using our Gait Scan technology
- Assessment of movement patterns that may be contributing to pain or injury
Once the assessment is complete, your podiatrist will explain the findings and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.
What can treatment involve?
Your treatment plan will depend on what we find during your assessment and may include:
- Specific stretching and strengthening exercises
- Foot and ankle rehabilitation
- Advice on footwear
- Changes to training or activity
- Gait and movement advice
- Taping or other short-term support
- Prescription orthotics where appropriate
- Other treatments such as shockwave therapy or K-Laser (link to K-Laser page) where clinically indicated
Not everyone who has a biomechanical assessment will need orthotics. They will only be recommended if your podiatrist feels they are likely to be beneficial.
Who may benefit from a biomechanical assessment?
A biomechanical assessment can be useful for people experiencing:
- Plantar fasciitis and persistent heel pain
- Achilles tendon pain
- Shin splints
- Recurrent ankle problems
- Forefoot pain
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
- Running-related injuries
- Repeated sporting injuries
- Pain that keeps returning despite previous treatment
It can also be helpful if you have been advised by a physiotherapist, osteopath, GP, sports therapist or coach to have your gait or lower-limb mechanics assessed.
Biomechanical assessments for runners and sportspeople
Running and sport place repeated forces through the feet and lower limbs.
Small differences in strength, mobility, foot function or movement patterns can sometimes become more significant when the same movement is repeated hundreds or thousands of times.
A biomechanical assessment can help identify factors that may be contributing to recurrent injuries and allows us to develop a rehabilitation plan aimed at improving movement, strength and load tolerance.
Gait analysis
As part of your assessment, we can use Gait Scan technology to analyse the way pressure moves through your feet when you walk.
This information is considered alongside the hands-on clinical examination rather than being used in isolation.
Together, these findings give your podiatrist a more complete picture of how your feet and lower limbs are functioning.
Orthotics following a biomechanical assessment
If appropriate, your podiatrist may recommend prescription orthotics.
Orthotics are designed to alter the way forces are distributed through the foot and lower limb and can be particularly helpful when combined with rehabilitation and footwear advice.
If orthotics are recommended, your podiatrist will explain the options and any additional costs before proceeding.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a biomechanical assessment take?
Please allow approximately 45-60 minutes for a comprehensive biomechanical assessment.
The exact appointment length will depend on your symptoms and the level of assessment required.
How much does a biomechanical assessment cost?
A full biomechanical assessment costs £160.
If additional treatment or prescription orthotics are recommended, your podiatrist will discuss the options and costs with you before anything further is arranged.
Do I need a referral?
No. You can book directly with Bucks Podiatry without a GP referral.
What should I bring with me?
Please bring the footwear you use most often, particularly any shoes or trainers you wear for walking, running, gym training or sport.
If we need to assess your knees and hips, please wear or bring shorts or suitable clothing that allows us to examine your legs properly.
If you use existing insoles or orthotics, please bring these with you as well.
What is the difference between routine podiatry and a biomechanical assessment?
Routine podiatry primarily focuses on problems such as nails, corns, calluses, verrucae and general foot health.
A biomechanical assessment is a more detailed examination of how your feet and lower limbs move and function, particularly when investigating persistent pain, sporting injuries or recurring problems.
Book a biomechanical assessment
Biomechanical and gait assessments are available at Bucks Podiatry in Amersham and Beaconsfield.
If you are struggling with persistent foot or lower-limb pain, a recurring sports injury or a problem that has not improved despite treatment, a biomechanical assessment can help identify the factors that may be contributing to it.