Biomechanical, MSK Assessment & Gait Analysis

What to Expect at a Biomechanical/ Musculoskeletal Assessment

Every step you take impacts your entire body. When standing, walking, or running, subtle imbalances can lead to compensations throughout your muscles, joints, and tendons. These compensations can place strain on areas that can’t handle the extra load.

At Cheshire Foot Clinic in Knutsford, Cheshire, we specialise in biomechanical assessments, we use gait analysis to uncover the root source of your discomfort. Through a detailed biomechanical MSK assessment, we assess how your body moves and identify factors that are causing you to experience pain and imbalance. Our world-class care helps optimise your movement patterns and provides the support your overall health needs so you can move comfortably and confidently every day.

What Is a Biomechanical Assessment?

Have you ever wondered how the way you move might be contributing to areas of discomfort or pain in your body? A biomechanical assessment provides an in-depth evaluation of how your muscles, joints, and ligaments work together during movement. This assessment isn’t just about your feet – it’s about how your entire body aligns and functions. During an MSK assessment, we’ll examine your gait during static positions, such as standing, and dynamic movements like walking or running.

Gait assessment analyses your walking or running patterns to identify movement issues that impact other parts of your body. By capturing these movements – sometimes through video analysis – we can slow down and study your gait to spot even the smallest irregularities.

We use pressure plate analysis to look at the pattern of your foot loading and unloading this can help us identify changes which may be contributing to your foot ankle or lower limb problems and pain.

What You Can Expect During Your MSK Check-Up

When attending your appointment for a biomechanical/musculoskeletal assessment, it’s important to bring the three pairs of footwear you wear most regularly and a pair of shorts to change into for your examination. This preparation will enable our podiatrist to give you a full examination and check your posture and muscular and joint function as necessary.

During the assessment, our podiatrist will start by taking a detailed history of the problem and may include a visual assessment of your existing footwear, a sitting, lying, and standing assessment of your posture, feet and lower limbs, muscle strength, and foot shape. You may then be asked to stand and walk or run across a dynamic foot scan plate to identify areas of high pressure on your feet or anomalies in your gait. We may ask you to run or walk outside or on a treadmill.

Once our podiatrist has completed your assessment, they will give you a diagnosis of your specific problem and discuss the treatment options available to reduce your pain and improve your function. Based on our findings, your treatment may include:

  • Exercise Rehabilitation Therapy – Targeted exercises are designed to strengthen your muscles, improve your mobility, and support your recovery for better long-term function.
  • Footwear Advice – We may provide practical tips on choosing the right shoes to support your feet and reduce the risk of injury.
  • Medicines – Treatments like anti-inflammatory medications can be given to help reduce swelling and manage any associated pain.
  • Mobilisation – Gentle techniques can restore movement in joints and tissues, improve function, and ease stiffness in targeted areas.
  • Strapping and Taping – Supportive taping can stabilise tissues, reducing the strain put on affected areas while encouraging more natural movement while you heal.
  • Gait Retraining – Learn how to adjust your walking or running technique to decrease the risk of further injury and make moving feel more comfortable.
  • Shockwave Therapy – Non-invasive acoustic waves stimulate healing in tissues to relieve pain and restore proper function in areas that have been impacted.
  • Musculoskeletal Laser Treatment – Advanced laser technology reduces pain and inflammation, which will accelerate the recovery process.

Why Choose Cheshire Foot Clinic?

Finding the right foot care clinic can make all the difference in your health. At Cheshire Foot Clinic, we pride ourselves on delivering exceptional podiatric care to address your needs. Here’s why our Knutsford patients continue to put their trust in us:

  • Extensive Expertise – Our team has more than five decades of hands-on experience providing trusted and effective care for a wide range of foot and ankle conditions.
  • Personalised Treatments – Every patient’s needs are unique, and we design individual care plans to ensure the best possible outcomes.
  • Cutting-Edge Techniques – We utilise the latest advancements in podiatry, combining proven methods with modern technology to make accurate diagnoses and maximise your recovery.
  • Patient-Focused Care – Your well-being comes first, and our compassionate approach ensures you feel supported every step of the way.

Take Your First Step Toward Achieving Healthier Feet

Your feet deserve the very best care to keep you moving without struggle. Whether you’re dealing with intense pain or just want to stay proactive with your foot health, we’re here to support you. Our friendly team is ready to help you decide the right approach for your foot care needs. Contact Cheshire Foot Clinic to schedule your appointment or to ask any questions. Don’t let pain hold you back – start your path to healthier, happier feet today.

If you need help deciding what type of assessment you need, please call 01565 655840 or email our team for advice with your booking.

Download a copy of our leaflet:
5 Common Foot Problems You Need to Know About