Orthoses/ Insoles

Biomechanical Assessment
Often when a patient presents with a persistent pain or injury which may be associated with walking or running, a biomechanical assessment will be necessary.

A biomechanical assessment involves a complex examination of the body when walking, running and when non-weightbearing. A full comprehensive biomechanical assessment should include a thorough exam of the pelvis, hips, knees, ankles, feet and sometimes the spine. Also examined should muscle flexibility and strength and joint ranges of motion. Footwear and exercise regime is also considered. Achilles Foot Clinic in addition uses hi tech video-motion analysis in clinic and on locations such as running tracks.

Some practitioners carry out an assessment by getting the patient to either walk across or stand on a pressure pad connected to a computer. While this pressure pad can be a help in assessing a patient gait, it is not a full assessment on its own. A thorough assessment should contain all the details mentioned above.

Once a biomechanical assessment is completed a Podiatrist uses this information in conjunction with the medical history and his experience to determine the appropriate prescription for the patients’ orthoses. This should result in resolution of the patients’ condition in combination with advice on footwear and exercises.