Gait analysis is a clinical tool used to assess the way a person walks or runs, helping identify movement patterns that may lead to injury. Even small issues in the way weight moves through the feet and legs can contribute to long-term pain or poor mobility.

What Does Gait Analysis Involve?

This process focuses on how your foot contacts the ground and how your legs respond during movement. A gait analysis may be done through simple observation or with advanced technology like motion capture, pressure plates, or force-sensitive treadmills.

Key factors observed include:

• Foot position during heel strike
• Arch behavior during stance
• Timing and coordination between legs
• Alignment of hip, knee, and ankle
• Push-off dynamics
• Patterns of shoe wear

Because the feet influence—and are influenced by—the rest of the body, gait abnormalities can also affect the knees, hips, and lower back.

Common Gait Patterns and Related Issues

• Flat Feet (Pes Planus)

People with flat feet tend to overpronate, which can lead to:

• Plantar fasciitis: Pain in the heel and arch due to overstretched tissue.
• Posterior tibial tendon dysfunction: Weakness in the tendon supporting the arch, causing further collapse.
• Shin splints: Pain along the inner shin due to poor foot alignment.
• High Arches (Pes Cavus)

A high arch often results in underpronation and rigid foot motion, causing:

• Forefoot injuries: Like stress fractures or pain under the ball of the foot.
• Ankle sprains: Due to reduced lateral stability.
• Plantar fasciitis: From tight arches stressing the fascia.
• Forefoot Striking

Some runners land on the front of their foot first. This style may lead to:

• Overloading the forefoot: Causing nerve pain or stress injuries.
• Calf and Achilles problems: From increased muscle strain.
• Poor shock absorption: Leading to joint discomfort in the knees, hips, or spine.

Why Gait Analysis Is Important

Gait analysis allows clinicians to uncover hidden causes of pain and prescribe targeted treatment, such as orthotics, therapy, or footwear changes. For athletes, it can optimize performance and reduce injuries. For others, it offers solutions for stubborn foot and leg problems.

Walking may seem simple, but it involves complex coordination. Gait analysis offers insight into underlying problems and helps people move more comfortably, whether they’re athletes or simply looking for pain-free steps in daily life.