Gait analysis is a scientific method for the empirical study of gait and is therefore part of the scientific field of motion analysis. It is used both in theoretical models for analyzing gait patterns and in practice-oriented medical cases. Gait analysis provides anatomical insights and enables targeted success in rehabilitation, sports, and the manufacture of prosthetics.
Here you will find further information as well as a selection of gait analysis specialists.
As a tool for motion analysis, gait analysis focuses primarily on human gait. Gait analysis involves the use of a video camera to record the specific gait patterns of test subjects and patients. Particular attention is paid to the examination of ataxias (disorders of motor coordination).
In severe cases or for the precise collection of research data, gait patterns can also be determined using optoelectronic methods. Using force plates placed on the floor, experts measure the intensity of foot strike and compare the results with average values. The plates also assess pressure distribution on the feet during weight-bearing to identify any potential overloading of a specific part of the foot.
Often, the trigger for movement disorders can also be found in improper use or overuse of the muscles. If a muscular cause of gait problems is suspected, an electromyograph is used.
The electromyograph uses suction cups attached to neuromuscular junctions to measure muscle activity in specific muscle areas. The suction cups collect data on the electrical activity of individual muscles or muscle groups.
In electromyography, the focus is primarily on the brain. Motor processes are triggered first and foremost by the activity of cerebral (i.e., brain-related) nerve cells.
Many motor phenomena and abnormalities have a neurological rather than an orthopedic cause.
Applications of Gait Analysis
Gait analysis is used in many different fields. For example, research projects in the fields of motor function and neurology often rely on the precise results of gait analysis. Gait analysis is also performed in sports, particularly in competitive sports. This helps optimize athletes’ movements and reduce the risk of injury.
The most important practical application, however, is in medicine. Gait analysis simplifies the diagnosis of orthopedic or neurological conditions and often provides insightful background information. Thanks to the accuracy of the multimedia results, medical professionals can develop significantly more effective treatment plans for a wide variety of conditions.
Medical gait analysis enables, for example,
- efficient determination of gait angles,
- a precise quantification of gait intensity, and
- a neuromuscular and orthopedic load profile.
The collected data can be compared with any preliminary examinations and then evaluated to arrive at the correct diagnosis.
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Conditions that can be identified through gait analysis
The body’s movement is based on a complex interplay of various forces and systems. The body’s neuromuscular structure corresponds to the skeleton and other motor units such as cartilage or tendons.
Over the course of a person’s life, this system is affected and is usually subjected to heavy strain. Improper loading and intense stress—for example, during sports—pose a risk of wear and tear or injury to body segments.
In such cases, a gait analysis can help pinpoint the affected area of the body. Physical characteristics that can be identified through a gait analysis:
- Complications related to artificial hip joints or other endoprostheses
- Shortening of limbs or muscles
- Undetected injuries such as torn ligaments (e.g., in the knee or ankle) or femoral neck fractures
- Protrusions (bulging of joints)
- Improper weight distribution on the feet
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatism
With concurrent electromyography, gait abnormalities not caused by orthopedic factors can be attributed to neurological causes.
Based on neurological findings, it is also possible to diagnose and treat cerebral movement disorders, which occur primarily in children. Neurological causes of gait disorders include:
- Parkinson’s disease
- Stroke
- Inner ear damage
- Brain and spinal cord tumors
- Multiple sclerosis
- Lyme disease
Gait analysis alone does not enable physicians to definitively diagnose all of the conditions listed above. However, it provides an indispensable tool for identifying motor abnormalities.
To reliably diagnose the neurological condition, specific neurological examinations are also necessary.
Gait Analysis in Medical Research
Many complaints, such as leg pain or problems with the lumbar spine, stem from improper weight distribution on the feet. When weight is distributed improperly, a specific area becomes overloaded, while another is barely used. As a result, force is not distributed evenly.
Joint, bone, and muscle pain can also occur due to shortened leg muscles or legs of different lengths. For those affected, this represents a genuine impairment of quality of life.
In such cases, orthopedists often prescribe orthotics that balance the distribution of forces during weight-bearing and normalize gait. Using a gait analysis, the orthotics can be tailored to the specific characteristics of the individual’s body, thereby contributing to a balanced gait.
However, gait analysis is truly groundbreaking in the field of prosthetics. This offers hope to people who have had a leg or part of a leg amputated. Thanks to ever-improving prosthetics, those affected can learn to walk again.
Collaboration between research institutes, companies, and patients—combined with gait analysis—enables the production of prosthetics designed for various types of physical activity. Some prosthetics are so advanced that athletes with amputations can once again achieve the same peak performance they had before their amputation.
Effortless Walking Thanks to Gait Analysis
Mobility is an invaluable asset, especially for those with limited motor function. Gait analysis is an effective method for identifying the causes of motor deficits and impairments.
Many clinics now offer gait analysis. The technology used in this process is constantly being refined and updated. Gait analysis is precise, thorough, and effective in identifying motor or neurological complications.
If you suffer from gait disorders or motor-related pain, a gait analysis could help you identify the underlying causes.
