Biomechanic/Msk Assessment
What is a Biomechanic/Msk Assessment?
Aching or painful feet, knees or backs shouldn’t be endured as an inevitable part of everyday life. For some people, foot orthotics may form part of an appropriate treatment plan
Biomechanics is the science of human movement
t’s rare to find someone whose bones and ligaments are balanced ‘equally’ on both sides of the body, for this reason we all walk in a different way (Gait) When we stand, walk or run our body copes by compensating for these differences. Over time muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons can become strained, inflamed or injured as they begin functioning in an irregular way.
The foot itself is a complex structure of 28 different bones, 214 ligaments and 38 muscles. When you’re ‘on your feet’ they literally carry your weight.
Every movement throughout the day, standing, walking, running or even sitting, affects how your weight is spread. The feet, pelvis, hips, legs and knees all play a part, along with the associated ligaments, tendons, muscles and joints.
40 + Years Experience
Biomechanic/Msk Assessment
Pain in the feet and lower limbs can affect the way we stand, walk, exercise and carry out everyday activities. Sometimes the source of the problem may not be where the pain is actually being felt.
Our MSK and Biomechanical Assessment is a detailed 45-minute appointment with one of our podiatrists, looking at how your feet and lower limbs function and how you move.
It may be helpful if you are experiencing problems such as foot, heel, ankle, knee or lower-limb pain, or difficulties associated with walking, exercise or sport.
What happens during the assessment?
Your podiatrist will take time to understand your symptoms and how they are affecting you.
The assessment may include:
1. Medical and injury history
We will discuss your current symptoms together with relevant previous injuries, operations, medical history, activities and footwear.
2. Musculoskeletal assessment
Your podiatrist will assess relevant joints, muscles and lower-limb function. This may involve examining you both standing and lying down and carrying out appropriate movement and muscle tests.
3. Gait and movement assessment
We will look at the way you stand, walk and move and consider whether any aspect of your movement or lower-limb function may be contributing to your symptoms.
4. Treatment plan
Once the assessment is complete, your podiatrist will discuss the findings with you and recommend an individual treatment plan.
Depending on your needs, this might include exercises, footwear advice, treatment, orthotics or referral to another healthcare professional where appropriate.
Bespoke 3D Custom Orthotics
If you and your podiatrist decide that orthotics may be beneficial, there are different options available.
For some patients an appropriate off-the-shelf device may be sufficient. Where greater individualisation is required, we can prescribe bespoke 3D custom orthotics.
A digital scan can be taken at the clinic and the orthotics are individually prescribed according to your assessment and clinical requirements.
Orthotics are not automatically prescribed as part of an MSK assessment. They will only be recommended where your podiatrist considers them clinically appropriate.
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MSK/Biomechanical Assessment – 45 minutes £85
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Bespoke 3D Custom Orthotics: £295 per pair
Custom orthotics are charged separately from the assessment.
Preparing for your appointment
Please bring some of the shoes you wear regularly, particularly footwear associated with the activity or symptoms you would like us to assess.
Please wear, or bring, shorts or close-fitting leggings so that your podiatrist can properly assess your lower-limb movement.
If you have any relevant medical information, previous scan or imaging reports, or details of previous orthotics, please bring these with you where possible.