Gait (the process of walking) and balance are intricate movements. They rely on proper functioning from several areas of the body. These include the ears, eyes, brain, and muscles. Problems with any of these areas can lead to walking difficulties, falls, or injury if not addressed. Potential causes of temporary gait or balance problems include injury, trauma, inflammation, or pain. Longer-term difficulties often result from:
- Stroke
- Joint pain or conditions, such as arthritis
- Multiple sclerosis (MS)
- Brain tumor
- Parkinson’s disease
- Spinal cord compression or infarction
- Guillain Barre
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Myopathy
- Cerebral palsy
- Gout
- Muscular dystrophy
Gait analysis uncovers precisely how the body is moving. Analysis of a patient’s walking is a valuable tool in the assessment and rehabilitation of current injuries as well as the prevention of future injuries. Gait Analysis may be provided during a patient’s initial evaluation and during later sessions to monitor progress.
A Gait Analysis includes the following:
- Discussion of current and previous injuries
- Analysis of strength, flexibility, and balance
- Analysis of shoe wear patterns
- Visual analysis of movement patterns during walking and running
- Breakdown of abnormal or inefficient movement patterns that may be contributing factors to acute and chronic injuries
Post-analysis, the patient’s therapeutic exercise program will reflect areas that need to be addressed to ensure optimal recovery and return to activity. This may include abnormalities in gait that occurred due to an injury as well as those that may be contributing factors to an injury.
Center for Rehabilitative Medicine | East Campus | 6555 Quince Road, 2nd Floor | Memphis, TN 38119
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