Gait scanning at Spire Harpenden Hospital

Like the foundations of a house, your feet support the weight of everything above them and therefore have a direct impact on the rest of your body. When a small problem develops in your feet, the subtle change in the way you walk can cause a chain reaction of adjustments in your posture and walking mechanics. These changes can put stresses on joints higher up the body and lead to other problems.

This high-tech scanner can help to detect abnormal foot function and, where required, allow your physiotherapist to prescribe custom-made orthotics (like in-soles) to relieve pain and correct imbalances.

The symptoms of faulty foot mechanics may begin with any of the following:

• Painful feet
• Bunions
• Hammer toes
• Arch or heel pain
• Leg or knee pain
• Hip or back pain

Orthotics look like insoles but are bio-mechanical devices that are custom made to correct specific foot imbalances. Each patient who undergoes a gait scan is unique therefore the prescription the gait scanner generates will be equally unique to the individual.

Our patients are at the heart of what we do and we want you to be in control of your care. To us, that means you can choose the consultant you want to see, and when you want. They'll be with you every step of the way.

All of our consultants are of the highest calibre and benefit from working in our modern, well-equipped hospitals.

Our consultants have high standards to meet, often holding specialist NHS posts and delivering expertise in complex sub-specialty surgeries. Many of our consultants have international reputations for their research in their specialised field.

You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

We've tried to make your experience with us as easy and relaxed as possible.

For more information on visiting hours, our food, what to pack if you're staying with us, parking and all those other important practicalities, please visit our patient information pages.

Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

The gait scan is a piece of equipment which is used to assess pressure distribution through your feet when standing, walking or running across the pressure plate.

Thousands of tiny sensors capture the weight distribution and give your physiotherapist a clear picture of your foot mechanics, identifying the spread of force throughout the foot during each step, and highlighting any abnormalities. This information is then used by our physiotherapists to shape your treatment plan.

Gait scan’s 2D and 3D imaging allows us to visually demonstrate and discuss any problems and can also show a patient’s progress when following treatment programmes.

Orthotics

Placing orthotics in a shoe, trainer or boot corrects foot imbalances by gently and consistently encouraging them into the correct functioning position. Not only does it offer extra comfort for painful feet but it also helps to re-align the body’s natural posture taking pressure off of other joints and allowing you to return to the activities you enjoy.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.