walking assessment (Walk3d)
We are delighted to bring to our clinic Walk3d.
Walk3D gait analysis is an advanced way of measuring how your joints move as you walk. The results of your assessment help us to identify the root-cause of your pain and symptoms, and we can then make specific recommendations, advice and treatments
what is walk3d?
3D gait analysis uses special infrared cameras to measure the positions of reflective markers that are attached to your legs. The marker positions are used to create an accurate 3D model of your lower-limbs and to precisely measure how your pelvis, hip, knee and ankle joints are moving. This is the same technology that is used by specialist orthopaedic hospitals, research institutions and film studios!
Gait analysis enables your clinician to accurately and objectively identify any abnormal patterns or asymmetries in your walking and running gait. A complementary musculoskeletal examination of your flexibility, strength, neuromuscular control and alignment is used to help your clinician further understand your biomechanical profile. The information gathered during your Walk3D assessment enables your clinician to provide data-driven rehabilitation advice and optimise your treatment pathway.
Why is Gait analysis important?
The body moves in three anatomical planes, which combine to form a complex sequence of movements and rotations. For example when the knee bends, it also rotates and moves towards the other leg. In order to properly understand joint motion, it is important to measure all these movement patterns and 3D gait analysis enables us to do this.
Conventional video-based assessments that are used in shops only record motion in 2D and do not measure the rotational movements of the body. Furthermore, video analyses are usually subjective and not sensitive enough to detect the subtle abnormalities that can lead to musculoskeletal pain.
Who can walk3d help?
Walk3D gait analysis can help anyone with pain or problems with their walking, including but not limited to:
• Low back pain
• Greater trochanteric bursitis
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction (SJD)
• Piriformis syndrome
• Hip osteoarthritis
• Hamstring tendinopathy
• Adductor/groin pain
• Patellofemoral pain
• Iliotibial band syndrome
• Patellar tendinopathy
• Meniscal tears/ injuries
• Knee osteoarthritis
• Medial tibial stress syndrome
• Recurring calf strain
• Chronic progressive calf tightening
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Tibialis posterior tendinopathy/ Dysfunction
• Plantar fasciitis
• Reduced mobility
how can walk3d help me?
By taking scientific measures of your gait and biomechanical function, we can fully understand why you are moving in a certain way and provide you with a successful and long-term treatment plan.
The results of your Walk3D gait analysis are used to give you data driven advice and to recommend the optimal treatment pathway for your condition. Depending on what we find, this might be a
- Customised exercise programme
- Physiotherapy referral
- Gait re-education
- Insoles and/or footwear advice.
what happens during a walking assessment
1. Set Up
2. Camera View
2. Camera View
We attach 39 reflective markers to your legs and shoes, positioned on specific anatomical landmarks. This step takes about 5-10 minutes. It is best if you can wear shorts, but if you are uncomfortable about this then please talk to us first about your options.
2. Camera View
2. Camera View
2. Camera View
Our infrared cameras don’t see you, they only see the reflective markers. Using the exact same technology as specialist orthopaedic hospitals, our motion capture cameras measure the position of the markers 200 times a second and enable us to precisely measure how you are walking.
3. Analysis
2. Camera View
4. MSK testing
You walk at your preferred speed on the treadmill, and once you are comfortable, your clinician will start to record your data.
To get the best results we might do recordings in different shoes or at different speeds.
4. MSK testing
6. Recommendations
4. MSK testing
We will carry out clinical tests to quantify your musculoskeletal function. By combining the results of your gait analysis and musculoskeletal tests, we are able to understand how and why your body is moving the way it is and deliver a data-driven approach to your treatment plan.
5. Report
6. Recommendations
6. Recommendations
Walk3D captures a lot of data about your gait and biomechanics. We need to review your report, taking into account your history, and use the information to create your treatment plan. Your interpretation might take place on the same day as your gait analysis or you might be called back for a review appointment.
6. Recommendations
6. Recommendations
6. Recommendations
The advice that will be given to you after your Walk3D assessment will be individual to you, and dependent on your presentation and the results of the analysis. Here are some of the things your clinician might suggest:
- exercise rehabilitation
- Physiotherapy referral,
- Gait re-education,
- Orthotic prescription, or footwear advice