Gait Analysis in Denver
Summus rehabilitation, located in Lakewood, CO, just west of Denver, offers walking and running gait analysis. A functional gait assessment looks at the way you walk (and/or run) and helps your therapist understand the way you move and any movement patterns that may be contributing to low back, pelvic floor dysfunction, hip, knee, ankle, and foot pain. The gait analysis looks at upper body movement, stride length and cadence, foot strike pattern, joint motion at pelvis, hips, knees, and ankles, balance and symmetry between right and left sides, efficiency, and muscle activation and timing, and overall posture.
A gait analysis is performed by a licensed physical therapist and is a structured evaluation of how you walk from head to toe to identify inefficiencies, imbalances, or causes of pain. A gait analysis evaluates what is happening at your upper body, low back, pelvis, hips, knees, ankle, and foot while you walk. After completing a walking assessment, your therapist will then evaluate your body in standing, with functional activities (such as squatting), measure joint range of motion, and strength test to identify areas of weakness. With this information, your therapist can then identify abnormalities and select interventions such as manual therapy and strengthening exercises to help you address those abnormalities, pain, and/or discomfort with walking. At the end of the assessment, your therapist will tell you what they found and develop an individualized treatment plan with you.
What is gait analysis?
At Summus Rehabilitation, we perform both walking gait and running gait analysis. Both types of analysis occur on the treadmill with video technology to analyze the way you move. Walking gait analysis is a great place to start with any person to see how the back, hip, knee, and ankle function under dynamic load. Running gait looks at how movement patterns change as speed, load, and demands increase—and why something that feels fine while walking may break down when running.
Walking vs Running Gait Analysis
How a Physical Therapist Performs Gait Analysis
The gait analysis at Summus Rehabilitation will take place with one of our physical therapists on a treadmill in the clinic. You will begin with a 3-5min walking warm up at a pace that is comfortable for you. Once you are warmed up, we will use video technology to record your walking. We will sit down together and review the video discussing what we find. After performing the gait analysis, the therapist will perform a full assessment of the body part that is bothering you which will entail static standing, dynamic movements (ie. Squatting), and looking at range of motion and strength of your lower body (and upper body if applicable). Putting together the gait analysis and the evaluation of the body allows us to understand the complete picture of what is causing the underlying diagnosis, symptom, and/or pain.
When do you need a gait analysis specialist?
A gait analysis specialist is important if you are experiencing any pain with walking or running. It is always best to address symptoms when they begin because then we can address the underlying problem quickly. A gait analysis is also important if you are returning to walking or running after an injury, surgery, or after having a baby because our body may move differently after it has been injured. It is possible after surgery, giving birth, or an acute injury that we pick up compensatory patterns that can result in further injury or pain down the line. By identifying the faulty movement pattern before the pain even begins results in prevention of injury in the future. It is also important to identify and target weaker muscles through specific exercise so that your body can withstand the forces and impact from walking and running safely and effectively.
How Gait Analysis Helps Reduce Pain and Improve Performance
A functional gait analysis is an important part of determining what is causing pain and/or your symptoms because it looks at how you move as a whole. The functional gait assessment is one component of many that your therapist will evaluate during your first visit. Once your therapist identifies the faulty movement pattern from the gait analysis and the root cause of your symptoms through range of motion, strength, and mobility assessments, your therapist will implement a treatment plan to help you feel better. Interventions and treatment may consist of manual therapy techniques, possible dry needling or instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), and specific strengthening and stretching exercises. When taking this holistic approach to treating gait abnormalities, the pain will resolve and you will have tools to prevent it from returning in the future. This provides a sustainable approach to care, is highly individualized, and will improve performance and efficiency whether you are running a marathon or walking around Crown Hill Park.
Functional Gait Assessment at Summus Rehabilitation
The functional gait assessment at Summus begins in a private treatment room with you and your therapist. The session begins by you telling us your story, why you are here, and what your goals are for therapy. We will listen and then ask questions to help us understand more about what you are feeling. After getting to know you, we will have you remove your socks and shoes and walk on the treadmill. You will begin with a 3-5 minute walking warm up on the treadmill and then we will take videos and watch your walking (or running) form from the back and the side. We will review the video with you discussing what we see and things we may want to look at further. After the walking assessment, we will look more closely at your mobility, range of motion, strength, and some special tests that can identify more specifically where your symptoms are originating from. Combining this information provides a comprehensive picture of what is going on and will guide a personalized treatment plan to resolving your symptoms. At the first visit, we will provide you one or a few exercises for you to begin at home to immediately improve your gait and symptoms. Together, we will discuss a treatment plan and frequency to get you back to feeling like yourself.
Gait analysis may be covered by insurance. It primarily depends on how it’s done, why it’s medically necessary, and your specific insurance plan. If gait analysis is not tied to a medically necessary diagnosis, it is often not covered by insurance. We advise you to check with your insurance plan for coverage. At Summus, we treat the whole patient and believe that the patient and therapist should dictate plan of care, and thus we bill the patient directly at the time of service. We can provide you with a superbill to submit to insurance for high deductible plans or for out of network coverage.
Is gait analysis covered by insurance?
Frequently Asked Questions
Gait analysis at Summus $350 for a 90 minute comprehensive gait assessment. Follow up treatment sessions are $180 for a 50 minute visit or if purchased in a 3-pack, is $510 for three, 50 minute visits.
How much does it cost for a gait analysis?
Summus Rehabilitation provides comprehensive gait assessments along with a few other clinics around the Denver metro area. You can visit https://gaithappens.com/local-practitioners/ to find practitioners that specialize in gait assessment and are certified in gait mechanics.
Where can I get my gait tested in Denver?
You can always have someone video you walking so that you can see what your gait looks like. This is great for awareness of your own body. However, identifying abnormalities or why you may be exhibiting a certain walking pattern is best evaluated by a practitioner who is specialized in gait mechanics.
Can I do my own gait analysis?
The most common gait abnormality is called an “antalgic” gait pattern, where someone walks differently to try to decrease pain or alleviate immediate symptoms. This may look like a limp, shorter strides with walking, or someone that looks like they do not want to place weight on the injured limb.
What is the most common gait abnormality?
Yes! Physical therapists are qualified to perform a gait analysis. Physical therapists are movement specialists and as part of our education, we understand the mechanics of walking and running. However, some physical therapists have completed further specialized training to identify and treat gait abnormalities. Dr. Monica is certified through Gait Happens for assessing and treating gait abnormalities.