Quick links

• What is GaitScan?
• What do you risk missing without using GaitScan?
• What conditions can GaitScan be used to help diagnose?
• What happens during a GaitScan assessment?
• What is the difference between custom and prefabricated orthotics?
• Frequently asked questions
• Blog article – Your feet aren’t just about your feet

Do you have foot or ankle pain?

Or if you have knee pain, hip pain, or low back pain, do you wonder if your feet are involved?

Does your day begin with foot pain and limping that starts from the moment you first put your feet on the floor in the morning?

Or you might have feet so sore at the end of the day that you just have to sit down and whip your shoes off at the first chance.

Due to the interconnectedness of the lower limb kinetic chain, poor foot biomechanics can be involved not just in foot and ankle pain, but also knee, hip and low back problems too.

If any of this sounds like you, you would benefit from a FREE GaitScan computerised assessment of your gait pattern.

To organise a free 15 minute GaitScan and foot assessment, call us on 1300 730 574 or book online.

What is GaitScan?

GaitScan uses the latest technology to give accurate and objective information about your dynamic foot and lower limb function including:

• your walking pattern (aka your gait pattern)

• how your feet make contact with the ground, and

• what area of your foot is taking the force in your walking pattern

• the timing of this force underneath your foot

• how this compares to optimal pressure distribution and timing
  

GaitScan uses a pressure plate which has more than 4000 sensors, coupled with specialised computer software.

The computer software is capable of transforming the information from the pressure plate into 2D and 3D images.

It also compares the data with optimal ranges to help build up a reliable and accurate picture of your gait pattern, and highlights parts of your gait that may require further assessment.

This pattern can then be compared to an optimal scan to give further insight into how your lower limb function compares with the ‘optimal’.

This information can be combined with the findings of a thorough lower limb assessment for a complete picture or your problem and a complete solution.

The video at the bottom of the page will give you more information on how it works and how it can help your problem.

Without GaitScan, there is always a piece of the puzzle missing. 

You can’t assess pressure distribution of your foot on the floor and its timing by watching someone walk, palpation or other kinds of assessment.

You can assess dynamic function of the foot is by observing someone’s gait, but there is a limit to how much information you can get from this. A visual assessment of gait will depend on the therapist’s experience and knowledge, and it doesn’t give you any measurable result.

The only way of getting objective information about what happens when your foot meets the floor is by using a pressure plate like the GaitScan system.

At the end of the GaitScan assessment, you will have a printed report with a huge amount of useful information – more than you will ever need!

However, for someone that can interpret the scan results, there will be particular features that are important and relevant. This valuable in can point to other areas to explore to solve your problem.

You can feel even more confident in the solution with the extra layer of information that GaitScan provides you and your therapist.

If you dream of those first steps in the day being painfree, or less pain at the end of the day after periods of standing or walking, then a FREE GaitScan assessment is an obvious first step to take.

To organise a free 15 minute GaitScan and foot assessment, call us on 1300 730 574 or book online

What conditions is a GaitScan assessment suitable for?

Any problem involving your foot, ankle, knee, hip and lower back.

Specific conditions include:

• achilles pain
• heel pain
• foot pain
• knee pain
• arch pain
• ankle pain
• osteoarthritis of the foot, knee or hip
• hip pain
• pelvis or low back pain

What happens during the GaitScan assessment?

The GaitScan system is quite simple – you just need to walk naturally over the pressure plate at a normal speed.

You may need to do this as little as twice. Sometimes it takes a few passes until we get the best and truest representation of your normal gait pattern.

Your therapist will print out the report and give you some preliminary observations and how they relate to your problem. They can then discuss possible next steps in solving your problem.

The free printed report is yours to take home.

We will then assess your scan results in detail and contact you with our findings.

To organise a free 15 minute GaitScan and foot assessment, call us on 1300 730 574 or book online 

Custom orthotics and prefabricated orthotics

Custom orthotics can be generated from the data sent to the labaratory in combination with the results of our clinical assessment. These orthotics are delivered within approximately two weeks.

If orthotics are judged to be necessary as part of your solution, we will discuss this with you and the merits of custom orthotics versus prefabricated (off the shelf) orthotics.

We offer a brand new prefabricated orthotic called Dynaflange, which is produced by The Orthotic Group.

It has a patented rearfoot flange that flexes during heelstrike, storing energy that is released during subsequent gait phases, acting somewhat like a spring.

We have been surprised with the level of quality of these prefabricated orthotics. We expect them to last better than other prefabricated options that are on the market.

Frequently asked questions

Is it suitable for children as well as adults?

Yes.

Why see a physio with a foot condition and not go to a podiatrist?

Physios assess and treat feet as well as the knee, hip and spine.

One benefit of seeing a physio is that they are able to look at the overall situation involving the whole leg and the rest of the body and the role that other areas might have – it isn’t just about the foot!

There are many situations where the foot and ankle aren’t the primary issue. It needs to be investigated as to whether it is mainly a problem with muscle control around the hip or pelvis, or primarily a foot and ankle issue, or both.

A pressure plate is the only way of assessing what happens under the foot when it makes contact with the ground. You can observe foot movement but you can’t measure the contact with the ground in any other way.  We are then able to use the GaitScan findings to further help out with the clinical assessement of the entire lower limb.

When would your physio refer to a podiatrist?

If the foot condition involved multiple conditions or high complexity, the physios would still do a GaitScan assessment for the extra information. They can then decide if the person needs to be referred to a podiatrist.

Examples of situations that your physio might decide to refer to a podiatrist might be diabetic feett, Charcot foot, or feet with wound-healing problems.

Why use custom orthotics vs prefabricated orthotics?

Prefab orthotics are perfect for some people and some conditions.

They are made to fit an average foot shape and the shape of the orthotics is symmetrical. They can work well for mild problems, or when some general hindfoot or midfoot support is needed.

Some prefabricated orthotics are not designed to cope with the demands of running, but are OK for walking and lighter activity. Prefabricated orthotics often don’t have the longevity of the custom orthotics.

Having said that, the Dynaflange prefabricated orthotics are more durable than the average prefabricated orthotics.

Prefabricated orthotics can also be used as a test for custom orthotics.

Custom orthotics are designed just for you and your situation. The full length and sulcus length orthotics can have additions to help forefoot problems if needed.

They are made from durable materials and come with a lifetime guarantee on the plastic shell and a 6 month warranty on the topcover, which is the material covering of the orthotic.

Any repairs outside of the warranty are only $40 each – this means that they could easily last 10 years.

Can I just come in and do the GaitScan assessment and get my custom orthotics made up?

Yes, but a physio assessment is recommended as orthotics aren’t always necessary.

A physio will determine whether orthotics are a good idea for your problem, whether they are likely to be helpful. Your physio will also work out whether custom orthotics are going to better than prefabricated options.