Gait Analysis, Biomechanical Assessment & Custom Orthotics
Pain in the feet, knees, hips or lower back often begins with how your body moves.
Even small imbalances in the way your feet strike the ground can place repeated strain on muscles, joints and tendons. Over time, this can lead to persistent discomfort, reduced mobility and recurring injuries.
At Feet By Pody, our detailed gait analysis and biomechanical assessments allow us to identify the underlying cause of these issues. By analysing how your feet and lower limbs function during movement, we can create targeted treatment plans, often including prescription orthotics, designed to restore balance and relieve pressure.
Rather than simply treating symptoms, this approach helps address the mechanical cause of pain, allowing you to move more comfortably and confidently.
What Is Gait Analysis?
Your gait is the unique way your body moves when you walk or run.
During a gait analysis, a podiatrist carefully examines how your feet, ankles, knees and hips move through each step. Subtle patterns, such as excessive rolling of the foot (pronation), reduced ankle mobility or uneven weight distribution, can reveal why certain areas of the body are under strain.
At Feet By Pody, this analysis is performed using a pressure plate computerised system and clinical observation, allowing us to review your walking pattern in detail.
This helps us understand:
- how your foot strikes the ground.
- how weight transfers through your foot.
- whether your alignment is placing stress on other joints.
- how your movement may contribute to pain or injury.
Even small biomechanical abnormalities can create repeated stress through the body over thousands of steps each day.
What Is a Biomechanical Assessment?
A biomechanical assessment goes beyond simply observing how you walk.
It is a comprehensive clinical examination of how your feet and lower limbs function as a whole. During this assessment, your podiatrist evaluates factors such as:
- joint mobility in the feet and ankles.
- muscle strength and flexibility.
- foot posture and arch structure.
- leg length differences.
- alignment of the knees and hips.
These tests help us understand how your body moves as a complete system, rather than focusing only on the area where pain is felt.
In many cases, discomfort in the heel, forefoot or ankle may originate from subtle mechanical issues higher up the kinetic chain.
When Might You Benefit from a Gait Analysis?
Many people seek gait analysis when they are experiencing ongoing pain or repeated injuries.
However, it can also be valuable for identifying movement issues before they become more serious.
You may benefit from a gait and biomechanical assessment if you experience:
- persistent heel pain or plantar fasciitis.
- recurring ankle or foot pain.
- knee, hip or lower back discomfort linked to walking.
- flat feet or very high arches.
- frequent sports injuries.
- uneven shoe wear patterns.
- instability when walking or running.
By identifying the root cause early, we can often prevent conditions from becoming chronic.
Prescription Orthotics: Personalised Support for Your Feet
When a biomechanical imbalance is identified, custom orthotics may be recommended as part of your treatment plan.
Orthotics are specially designed medical insoles that fit inside your shoes. Unlike over-the-counter insoles, prescription orthotics are created specifically for your foot structure and movement pattern.
Their purpose is not simply cushioning. Instead, they are carefully designed to:
- redistribute pressure across the foot.
- support the natural alignment of the lower limbs.
- reduce strain on muscles and tendons.
- improve walking efficiency.
By improving how the foot functions during each step, orthotics can relieve stress throughout the entire lower body.
Our Orthotics Assessment Process
At Feet By Pody, orthotics are never prescribed without a thorough clinical assessment.
Your appointment typically includes:
- Medical and lifestyle discussion.
We begin by understanding your symptoms, activity levels, footwear habits and medical history. - Biomechanical examination.
A detailed clinical assessment of the feet, joints and muscles helps identify structural or functional issues. - Gait analysis.
Your walking pattern is analysed to see how your foot moves during each stage of the step cycle. We also use a computerised gait pressure system to measure how weight is distributed across your feet, both while walking (dynamic) and standing (static), giving a more detailed picture of your biomechanics. - Orthotic design and fitting.
If appropriate, prescription orthotics are created to address the specific mechanical issues identified during the assessment.
This evidence-based approach ensures orthotics are used only when they are likely to provide real benefit.
Conditions Often Treated with Orthotics
Custom orthotics are commonly used to help manage a range of foot and lower limb conditions, including:
- Plantar fasciitis.
- Achilles tendon pain.
- Metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of the foot).
- Morton’s neuroma.
- Hallux valgus (bunions)
- Flat feet or fallen arches.
- Knee pain related to foot mechanics.
- Shin splints.
- Sports-related overuse injuries.
By improving alignment and reducing excessive pressure, orthotics can help reduce symptoms and support long-term mobility.
Why Choose Feet By Pody?
At Feet By Pody, our approach is focused on clinical accuracy and personalised care.
Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, we take the time to understand how your body moves and what is contributing to your symptoms.
Patients choose our London clinics because we provide:
- thorough, evidence-based biomechanical assessments.
- experienced podiatrists specialising in foot mechanics.
- carefully prescribed custom orthotics.
- treatment plans tailored to your lifestyle and activity levels.
Our goal is always the same: to help you move comfortably and stay active.
Book a Gait Analysis in London
If you are experiencing persistent foot pain, recurring injuries or discomfort when walking, a detailed gait analysis can provide valuable answers.
Our podiatrists at Feet By Pody offer comprehensive biomechanical assessments and prescription orthotics at our London clinics.
Book your appointment today and take the first step toward more comfortable, balanced movement.
Our London Podiatry Clinics
You can visit Feet By Pody at any of our clinics:
• Canary Wharf E14.
• City EC2
• Woolwich Royal Arsenal SE18
• London Bridge SE1
• South Kensington SW7
Book Online or call 020 7099 6657 to speak with one of our friendly, knowledgeable healthcare professionals.
