Hello, my name is Gregory. When I was a young lad, I had to enter the health care world in an unexpected way. I developed a serious disease out of the blue that took doctors by surprise. I went through so many different testing procedures before my doctors could diagnose the rare disease. Everyone around me reeled as they tried to understand the purpose and process of the diagnostic tests. I hope to help others understand these important tests better through this website. Please come by often to learn all you need to know about medical diagnostics and working closely with health care professionals.
Talking About Diagnostic Tests For Medical Care
Signs That You Walk With An Unhealthy Gait
Nanja Bongers
In addition to caring for a wide range of foot ailments such as plantar fasciitis, warts, and corns, your local podiatrist may also be set up to offer gait analysis to clients. A thorough gait analysis will allow your podiatrist to determine what's wrong with how you walk or run, and he or she can then provide solutions for you. This service isn't just for joggers — virtually anyone can benefit from scheduling a gait analysis. Before you do, however, you'll want to identify signs that your gait may not be healthy. Here are a handful of signs that a gait analysis will be right for you.
Your Shoe Soles Wear Unevenly
Over time, you should be able to see signs of wear on the soles of your shoes. Ideally, the wear should be even, with visible wear noticeable under your heel and around the ball of the foot. If you can identify wear in unexpected patterns, it could be a sign that your gait needs some correcting. For example, you may notice that your soles are worn along the inner edges — this suggests that you're rolling your ankles inward each time you take a step. To avoid the risk of eventual ankle discomfort, your podiatrist can fit your feet for orthotics to correct this issue.
Your Knees Are Unreasonably Sore
While aches and pains are common after prolonged periods of walking or running, it's a concern if you suffer from knee pain after walking for just a short duration. Knee pain can arise for several reasons, but it's possible that you're experiencing this issue due to your gait. For example, if you're stepping too far and driving your heels down, your legs may straighten — or even slightly hyperextend — more than is natural. In this scenario, your podiatrist will show you how you walk on a screen in slow motion, and then guide you through making the necessary adjustments to your mechanics.
Your Hips Are Sore
Sometimes, you'll develop hip pain as a result of how you walk. This may occur if you're nursing an injury that is causing you to change your walking mechanics, but it's also possible if you have one leg that is shorter than the other — or if your pelvis is rotated on one side, which gives the effect of one leg being shorter. Whatever the case, your podiatrist will get the root of the issue and may recommend complementary therapies. For example, if your pelvis is rotated, the podiatrist may suggest that you visit a chiropractor to restore the balance in this part of your body.
For more information, contact a business such as Laurel Podiatry Associates, LLC.
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