BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT
Have you been experiencing pain or discomfort in your feet, ankles, or legs? If you’re not sure of the cause, a biomechanical assessment can help get to the root of the problem. Get in touch with My Foot Medic to book an assessment and find the best treatment.
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WHAT IS A BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT?
A Biomechanical assessment is an examination of your lower limb function. It aims to diagnose and uncover the cause of your pain or symptoms.
If you’re concerned about your knees, ankles, or feet, then a biomechanical assessment can highlight any abnormalities or problems with structure, alignment, and function. It will help identify what pressure your body might be under when walking or running.
By having a clear understanding of how your lower limbs function, and where abnormalities might be coming from, a podiatrist will be able to advise you on how to relieve any pain you might be experiencing.
In a biomechanical assessment, a medical professional may analyse your bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. A gait assessment will analyse your posture and walking pattern. They’ll also assess your shoes to see if they are impacting your feet or ankles.
WHAT HAPPENS DURING A BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT?
When you arrive for your assessment, a podiatrist will carry out examinations to check for potential abnormalities and causes of foot, ankle, knee, or back pain.
Examinations may include:
A bone and joint assessment
to evaluate the range of motion in your joints. By doing so, your podiatrist will be able to determine anomalies such as arthritis, hypermobility, dislocation or bunions.
Muscle, tendon, and ligament assessments
your podiatrist will look at these structures and tissues to check for weakness or tightness. They’ll also be able to check for tendinopathy (damaged tendons).
A neurological examination
this will include sensation and proprioception testing to check for nerve complications. It may also involve a tendon reflex analysis (knee jerk response).
Gait and posture analysis
by looking at the way you walk and stand, your podiatrist can identify potential complications, such as a difference in leg length or curvature of the spine. Sometimes, video analysis can highlight any problems more clearly.
Footwear assessment
in addition to the biomechanical examination, looking at your footwear can help a podiatrist identify any problems. Ill-fitting shoes can cause an array of podiatry problems. At MyFootMedic, we recommend that you bring 2-4 pairs of regularly worn shoes to your initial appointment.
WHY MIGHT I NEED A BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT?
You might opt for a biomechanical analysis if you’ve noticed any discomfort or pain when you walk or stand. This might be due to an injury or overuse that indicates an underlying issue. Alternatively, it could be a congenital deformity.
Most of our bodies are not completely symmetrical. You might have one leg slightly longer than the other or have torsion in the pelvis. While these things may not seem immediately detrimental, over time they can cause imbalance and put pressure on certain parts of your legs or feet.
EXCESS PRESSURE MAY MANIFEST IN PROBLEMS SUCH AS:
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Plantar fasciitis
- Stress fractures
- Heel pain
- Bunions
WHAT TREATMENTS MIGHT THE ANALYSIS LEAD TO?
The treatments offered to you will vary depending on the outcome of your assessment. Following your examination, your podiatrist will be able to recommend the best course of action to suit your individual needs.
At MyFootMedic, we treat an array of common conditions — from ingrown toenails and skin infections to gout, knee pain, and leg length discrepancy.
We offer a range of services, including:
- Footwear recommendations
- Activity modification
- Specific exercises regimes
- Joint manipulations
- Soft tissue mobilisations
- Prescription insoles/orthotics
- Referral for surgical assessment
- Steroid injections
Following your biomechanical assessment, we may provide you with prescription orthotics, guide you on footwear changes and lifestyle modification, or refer you for diagnostic imaging or a consultation with a surgeon.
BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT COSTS
The cost of a biomechanical assessment will vary from clinic to clinic. At MyFootMedic, a biomechanical analysis will be included in your initial appointment. You can see our full price list for more details.
We can offer services for the majority of private health insurance providers. Contact your provider or get in touch with our expert team for more information.
CAN YOU GET A BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT ON THE NHS?
Do you have a long-term, high-risk condition such as diabetes, peripheral arterial disease (PAD), or rheumatoid arthritis? Then you may be eligible for an assessment on the NHS. You can contact your local GP or podiatry clinic to see if you are eligible. However, you could be on a waiting list for up to six months before receiving NHS treatment.
For an affordable, private biomechanical assessment in Bedford, why not book a consultation with MyFootMedic? With initial appointment waiting times of up to two weeks, you can get expert care quickly and efficiently.
