Biomechanical Study and Modification

<中文版>

• Gait study and analysis
• Orthoses prescription

Gait study and analysis

Gait abnormality is a deviation from normal walking (gait). Watching a patient walk is an important part of the neurological examination by a musculoskeletal physician. Normal gait requires that many systems, including strength, sensation and coordination, function in an integrated fashion. Many common problems in the musculoskeletal system and nervous system will show up in the way a person walks.  

Gait analysis is the systematic study of human walking by observation and analysis, augmented by instrumentation for measuring body movements, body mechanics and the activity of the muscles.  A musculoskeletal physician can use the gait analysis result to pin-point and treat the underlying conditions affecting the patient’s ability to walk. Gait analysis is also commonly used in sports to help athletes running more efficiently and in rehabilitation to identify posture-related or movement-related problems in people with injuries.

Orthoses prescription

Foot orthosis is a shoe insert prescribed by a musculoskeletal physician to alter or modify foot function so as to treat, adjust, and support various biomechanical foot disorders. These biomechanical foot disorders can be problems directly from the foot such as fallen arches, bunions and ankle osteoarthritis. They can also be secondary to pathologies in other parts of the body such as leg length discrepancies, hip contractures; or to complications of systemic disease like diabetes.

Biomechanical problems in the foot can transfer their faulty mechanics to other parts of the body, leading to pain and discomfort in the knees, hip or even back and neck. Children who have developed in-toe or out-toe gait problems, teenagers with repeated sports injuries, adults experiencing overuse injuries, or seniors who have morning foot discomfort when first standing are typical examples of conditions which respond well to orthotic therapy.

生物力學分析和調整

• 步態研究和分析
• 矯正鞋墊

步態研究和分析

步態異常的定義是一個偏離正常的步行姿態。檢查步態是肌骼科醫生為病人檢查神經系統的重要程序。正常的步態需要許多系統相互配合，包括力量、感覺和協調系統。許多常見的肌骼和神經系統問題，會於一個人的步行姿態中顯露出來。

步態分析是有系統地通過觀察和分析，借助儀器測量身體活動、生物力學和肌肉的運用，來研究人類的步行姿態。肌骼科醫生可以利用步態分析結果針對性地治療影響病人行走能力的基本因素。 步態分析也常用於幫助運動員在運動時更有效率，及在傷患復康期間，找出與姿勢或動作有關的問題，以作改善。

矯正鞋墊

足部矯正鞋墊是由肌骼科醫生處方的鞋墊，用作恢復與調整足部功能，以治療足部生物力學的各種問題。足部的生物力學問題，可以是腳部結構變形，例如足弓下陷、拇趾外翻、踝關節骨關節炎，而直接引起的；亦可以是因其他身體部位的疾病而繼發引起的，例如如下肢的長度差異(長短腳)、髖關節攣縮，或系統性疾病的併發症如糖尿病所引發的足部併發症。

足部引生的生物力學問題更有機會將病態力學轉移至身體其他部位，導致膝關節、髖關節、甚至背部和頸部疼痛和不適。

其他典型的足部生物力學問題，包括，孩童腳趾內八或外八的步態問題、青少年的重複性運動創傷、成年人的過度使用勞損，或老年人早上起床後的足部不適等，都可以透過矯正鞋墊得到糾正及改善。