If you’ve been dealing with persistent foot pain, recurring shin splints, or knee discomfort that won’t shift no matter what you try, you may have come across the term ‘biomechanical assessment’. But what does it actually involve, and is it worth it?
What Is a Biomechanical Assessment?
A biomechanical assessment is a detailed clinical examination of the way your body moves, with a particular focus on the feet, ankles, and lower limbs. Rather than looking at a single painful area in isolation, it considers how the whole kinetic chain, from foot to hip, functions during everyday movement.
At Park Road Podiatry, we offer comprehensive gait analysis and biomechanical assessments, which will evaluate:
- Foot and ankle alignment: How your feet align when standing, walking, or running.
- Knee and hip movement: How your knees and hips work in sync with your feet.
- Posture and weight distribution: How your body weight is distributed as you move.
- Range of motion: Flexibility and joint movement, particularly in the feet, ankles, knees, and hips.
We can also use FootScan pressure plate technology. Which can reveal subtle movement patterns that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
What Can It Help With?
Biomechanical assessments are best supported by evidence for a handful of specific conditions. The strongest case is for plantar heel pain, which is commonly called plantar fasciitis. Research also supports biomechanical assessment and appropriate foot support for patellofemoral pain (aching pain around the kneecap) and tibial stress syndrome (shin splints), particularly in active individuals and runners.
More broadly, it’s a useful first step for anyone experiencing recurrent lower limb injuries, or those with structural features such as very flat feet or high arches. It won’t fix every problem, and at Park Road Podiatry our team will tell you that honestly. But for the right presentation, understanding how you move is an extremely useful piece of the puzzle when it comes to getting relief.
Where Do Orthotics Come In?
If the assessment identifies a specific mechanical issue contributing to your symptoms, custom orthotics (insoles) like our custom Phits+ may be recommended. These are individually prescribed devices designed to alter the way load is distributed through the foot and lower limb.
Custom orthotics are not a magic bullet, but the evidence for their use in certain conditions is well-established. Particularly when combined with exercise and footwear advice. This will form part of any management plan at Park Road Podiatry in Coventry.
So, Do You Need One?
Do you have persistent lower limb pain that flares with activity, returns despite rest, or has been going on for more than a few weeks? then a biomechanical assessment gives you a clearer picture of what’s actually driving it. That’s usually more useful than guessing.
It’s a starting point, not a cure. But it’s often the right starting point.
Interested in booking a biomechanical assessment or gait analysis? Please get in touch with our team to find out more.