Gait Analysis Info

Posted by Guangzhouman (469 days ago)

Group,

I have feet problems. Pain in arch, fallen arch, minor bunions etc, etc etc

I have gone to what are touted as as the best in GZ.
They have managed to help somewhat. Also, I paid for what turned out to be poor excuses for inner soles.

MY QUESTION: I know in very very general terms what gait analysis. Can someone tell what information will be derived from such an analysis, how will the information used to diagnosis, cure and correct whatever it is that I have? I usually can get most of the medical information from the Internet. But all I get is super technical information on gait analysis.

Gait analysis is not done here in China! So I guess I will have to go to Hong Kong.

I would like to have first hand or even second hand anecdotal information, simple explanation of its use and what expectation I can reasonably hope for.

Links to simple articles would be great also. I need to make an intelligent yet very important deciision so any and all sharing would be greatly appreciated.

(I am based in Guangzhou)

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Posted by sandydee (469 days ago)

O.k Lets try and explain gait. Gait is simply the manner in which you walk. Obviously there are many characteristics that influence personal gait. Eg obesity, pregnancy, hip, knee imbalances brain dysfunctions etc.
There are 2 phases of the gait cycle. Stance phase..when foot is on the ground and swing phase when foot is moving forward.

In observing someones gait...I would take into account
With of the base ..(standing heel to heel....2-4 inches between)
Centre of Gravity (too in depth)
Except at heel strike the knee should remain flexed during all other stance phase. (this is related to centre of gravity stuff)
How does the pelvis and body move??
Average length of stride.
During swing phase what is the opposite hip doing?

Looking at how shoes are worn, asking questions on your symptons, observations, etc can help to determine what muscles are weak etc.

does this help??
I am a massage therapist so I was taught basic gait observations in our diploma.

I am working here in Hong Kong which is not much help to you. Don't be discouraged. If you have had a bit of relief great. did they give you any exercises or any written information on what your diagnosis was??

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Guangzhouman (469 days ago)

Sandy Dee,

They gave me an MRI and it's not Sciatica, slipped discs etc.

They gave me a cortisone shot and pain killer.
It helped somewhat.

I am presently taking Mobic 7.5 mg

They sent to have me make inner soles - the clowns made inner soles that made the pain worse, even after 4 adjustments.

They mumbled something about arthritis.

They said that maybe physical therapy, acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine.

Follow up Questions: (1) I strong feel that maybe a good professionally made inner soles will cure a great deal of the pain; Will gait analysis give a definitive diagnosis that will or will not point towards inner sole? (2) What exactly will be determined when the weak muscles are identified? (3) Will gait analysis point to other problems?
(4) Do you know how much the Gait Analysis will cost and who is a good candidate in Hong Kong?

YES!! you answer helped a lot. Any more information from you or others will be appreciated.

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by sandydee (469 days ago)

as far as I am concerned any well trained massage therapist, physiotherapist can look at your gait and ask some questions and then do an analysis. It is part of the therapy session not something you pay extra for. Thats what we are trained to look for in assessing how to deal with particular problems clients come to us with. Even looking at where your shoes crease and how the heels are worn can tell us things.
If you like I can ask my colleagues at work who we recommend as far as getting shoe insoles made. When we determine what muscles are weak, or long or short and tight then massage, physio whatever way you chose to go can go about getting the muscles 'to do their job' again..eg. Weak dorsiflexors (the ones on the top part of your foot slap the foot down instead of smooth control of movent in the stance phase (when the foot is on the gound) or if the knee is unstable the quads contract to keep the knee stable. i can go on and on.
Are you in a health fund? you should be covered fr this if you are. At the end of the day I think you just want to be pain free. If I can help anymore keep asking.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Guangzhouman (468 days ago)

Sandydee,

Okay. I don't have a health fund. You are right that "at the end of the day I just want to be pain free." I also live in Mainland China and get paid in RMB so I need to know a ball park figure of how much I will need to start the therapy. So, I wanted to know the average cost of the Gait Therapy, the Insoles and the therapist so I can added to the cost of transportation, lodging? food, etc. I want to be sure I can bring enough money and once I start the treatment that I can finish it. If you or anyone else have estimates I would appreciate it.

Yes please see if your colleagues at work can recommend someone for the insoles. Your are very kind and I appreciate the time you're taking to look in to this matter.

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by sandydee (468 days ago)

I am going to Pm you with my work website. Ok. I might be wrong but I think the rmb is a tiny bit stronger than the HK dollar so basically its the same. If you do come bring your existing diagnosis with you. and also bring your inserts. Are you wearing them??? (the insoles). Ill PM you shortly

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Hecules (468 days ago)

For links on foot problems, a useful web site to visit for all the non-technical information you might want about gait analysis is the UK's Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
www.feetforlife.org

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by sandydee (466 days ago)

Guangzhouman..Check your PM

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by sandydee (404 days ago)

so how are those feet going??? did you get all the answers??

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Guangzhouman (403 days ago)

Sandy,

Thanks so much for writing. I went to see someone by the name ofKarlyn Harfoot. She prescribed over-the=counter insoles. They have been no good. I really want a gait analysis. I have an appointment this Saturday. I don't know if this is going to be a drawn out treatment to milk me out of as much money as possible.

I tried to get in contact with your recommendation but I couldn't so I chose her from other xpat's recommendation. Any comment would be appreciated. Thanks for your concern.

Walter

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by Meiguoren (402 days ago)

The person with screen name "molly in china" is a western trained massage therapist located in GZ, with links to physio people in HK. Might try a PM. Also, have you tried just looking in a mirror and watching yourself as you walk across a room? I'm not a physio but just from practical experience . . . watch your own gait in a mirror. See what it looks like, can you see any obvious imbalances or weaknesses? Front to back and side to side, what does it look like? Get a friend to watch and ask them? For my daughter, physio involved ankle strengthening exercises including balancing on a flat wooden disc that was anchored on top of a small (tennis ball size) ball. Eventually, she had to use ankle muscles to balance on one leg on this thing. Another foot exercise is to stand with your toes (ball of foot) on a stair and heel hanging off, then raise and lower body to strengthen arch and achilles tendon part of foot. Combine this with stretches of calves and arches, etc., to increase strength and flexibility. Along with stretching, strengthening, and watching for imbalances, good arch support is crucial as well. You can get Dr. Scholls inserts in Watsons. For me, I never realized I walked with a limp until a lot of stuff had been thrown off balance higher up. Awareness seems to be the first step, and then with enlightenment you can figure out how to correct it. But I think professional and thorough gait analysis is hard to come by.

(I am based in Guangzhou)

Posted by doughorne (235 days ago)

try the podiatrist at sportsperformance
8th Floor aon china building
25216380

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by flashback (234 days ago)

This seems like a very old post, so maybe too late to help OP, but if others need gait analysis done, I would suggest they go to Medihelp clinics. There are centres around Hong Kong (I know of two - one at Wan Chai and the other Tai Koo Shing). The technician measures your legs, videos your feet in standing position, and also asks you to walk over a piece of paper which is over a special ink pad. The impression indicates which parts of your feet are receiving the most stress.

The technician then does a plaster cast of your feet, from which a set of custom insoles are made. These can be placed inside your own shoes. The whole process costs $1500, including a set of insoles, and you get to keep the casts for more sets in the future. If you require additional shoe in-soles, another $800.00 per pair.

I've tried other local and international podiatrists in the past, but never had anything so systematic. Over the counter insoles do not compare in the slightest.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by alisonmcgo (115 days ago)

sportsperformance has gait assessment for a long time, and is a one-to-one service. The cost is $600. If you need a podiatist for follow up consultation, there is one too. The address of sportsperformance is 8/F Aon China Building, 29 Queen's Road Central, HK. Tel: 2521 6380.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by Guangzhouman (115 days ago)

Alisonmcgo,
Thank you for responding to my post.
I have a few questions I would like you to answer if you have the time. I have been using this place in Hong Kong and they charged me $1700 for plaster cast, insoles and 'unlimited' visits. Somehow I had the notion that Gait Analysis would provide a state of arts analysis that would determine exactly how good or how bad I was walking. They have a gait analysis treadmill but I was told that gait analysis is used only for sports people and wasn't meant for mortals like me.

I am in Guangzhou and can only go once a month. I have been seeing them for 6 months already. They keep making adjustments to the insoles. The insoles have made my feet less painful than when I started but I am not out of the proverbial woods yet.

I strongly feel there's a solution for me. I am 60 years old in case that helps in anyone giving advice.

What I would like to know is:
Have you personally used them? If yes how satisfied were you? How many visits did you have with them? What other information can you provide to help me make a decision?

Thank you.

Walter

(I am based in Guangzhou)