Gait Analysis Michigan 2026 | Podiatrist

Gait Analysis Component	What Is Measured	Clinical Significance	Tool Used
Visual Gait Observation	Step width, stride symmetry, trunk sway, arm swing	Identifies antalgic, Trendelenburg, steppage patterns	Clinical observation, walkway
Video Slow-Motion (posterior)	Rearfoot valgus/varus, heel strike angle, pronation excursion	Quantifies overpronation, lateral loading	Slow-motion camera
Video Slow-Motion (lateral)	Foot-strike pattern, ankle dorsiflexion, knee flexion	Heel vs. midfoot vs. forefoot striker; equinus detection	Slow-motion camera
In-Shoe Pressure Mapping (pedobarography)	Peak pressure, pressure time integral, foot contact area	Identifies pressure hot spots (diabetic ulcer risk, Morton’s neuroma, sesamoiditis)	Pressure insole (Novel, Tekscan)
Static Biomechanical Exam	STJ neutral, rearfoot/forefoot alignment, Silfverskiold, ankle ROM	Determines orthotic prescription angles (posting)	Goniometer, foam cast
Limb Length Assessment	True vs. apparent leg length discrepancy	Diagnoses LLD contributing to back pain, hip pain, asymmetric gait	Tape measure + X-ray

Gait Finding	What It Means	Associated Injury Risk	Intervention
Excessive rearfoot valgus (>5°)	Overpronation — heel rolls inward excessively	Plantar fasciitis, PTTD, shin splints, bunion, knee valgus	Medial post orthotic, motion-control shoe
Rearfoot varus loading	Supination — heel rolls outward	Lateral ankle sprain, 5th MTH stress fracture, IT band syndrome	Lateral post orthotic, cushioned neutral shoe
Equinus gait (heel-to-toe insufficient)	Limited ankle dorsiflexion forces compensatory pronation	Plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, midfoot arthritis	Calf stretching, heel lift, Achilles PT
Forefoot striker (no heel contact)	Abnormal for walkers; normal for sprinters	Metatarsal stress fractures, Achilles overload	Running technique correction, cushioned shoe
Antalgic gait (shortened stance phase)	Pain-avoidance — shortened contact on painful side	Indicates active pain source in that limb	Identify and treat pain source
Trendelenburg gait (hip drop)	Gluteus medius weakness — contralateral hip drops	IT band syndrome, hip bursitis, low back pain	Hip abductor strengthening, gait retraining
In-toeing (pigeon toe)	Internal tibial torsion or femoral anteversion	Knee tracking issues, patellofemoral pain	Gait retraining; surgery only in severe pediatric cases

Related Conditions

What Gait Analysis Reveals About Your Body

Your walking pattern is a window into the mechanical health of your entire lower extremity. The foot’s role as a shock absorber and propulsion platform means that small deviations in how it contacts the ground during gait ripple upward — causing knee pain from tibial rotation, hip pain from pelvic shift, and even lower back pain from compensatory lumbar loading. Gait analysis at Balance Foot & Ankle identifies these patterns with precision so treatment addresses the root cause, not just the symptom location.

What Dr. Biernacki’s Gait Analysis Includes

Dr. Biernacki’s clinical gait assessment begins with observation of your walking pattern barefoot and in your current shoes, looking for heel strike pattern, midstance arch behavior, forefoot loading, and push-off mechanics. He assesses for overpronation (inward roll of the arch), supination (insufficient pronation), antalgic gait (pain-avoidance limping), Trendelenburg pattern (hip abductor weakness), and equinus compensation (toe-walking or early heel-rise). Video slow-motion analysis is used when subtle findings need frame-by-frame review.

Common Problems Identified by Gait Analysis

The most common findings include excessive overpronation driving plantar fasciitis, shin splints, and knee pain; insufficient arch motion causing lateral foot stress fractures; leg length discrepancy creating pelvic tilt and lumbar strain; equinus contracture forcing early heel-rise and forefoot overload; and post-injury antalgic patterns that become permanent if not retrained. Identifying the specific pattern allows Dr. Biernacki to prescribe targeted interventions rather than generic treatment.

What Happens After Gait Analysis

Based on gait findings combined with the physical exam, Dr. Biernacki creates a personalized treatment plan. Most commonly this includes custom prescription orthotics molded to correct the specific mechanical fault identified, physical therapy referral for gait retraining and strength correction, targeted stretching protocols for flexibility deficits, and shoe recommendations matched to the patient’s gait type and activity demands. Patients frequently report that addressing the gait issue resolves pain that had persisted for years despite other treatments.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist?

If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, affect your normal activity, or are accompanied by red-flag symptoms (warmth, redness, swelling, inability to bear weight).

What does treatment cost?

Most diagnostic visits and conservative treatments are covered by Medicare and major insurers. Out-of-pocket costs vary by your specific plan.

How quickly can I get an appointment?

Most non-urgent cases see us within 5 business days. Urgent cases (sudden pain, possible fracture) typically same or next business day.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I see a podiatrist?

See a podiatrist if: foot or ankle pain has lasted more than 2–4 weeks without improvement, you’re changing your gait to avoid pain, you have an open wound or sore that isn’t healing, you notice nail discoloration or thickening, you have diabetes and any foot concern, or pain is severe enough to wake you at night. Most foot conditions are easier and cheaper to treat early — what starts as a minor issue can become a surgical problem with months of delay.

What is the difference between a podiatrist and an orthopedic surgeon?

Podiatrists (DPM — Doctor of Podiatric Medicine) specialize exclusively in the foot, ankle, and lower leg. Orthopedic surgeons (MD/DO) have broader musculoskeletal training but variable foot/ankle subspecialization. For foot and ankle-specific problems, a podiatrist often has more focused training and experience. For injuries involving the leg above the ankle, complex pediatric cases, or multi-level reconstruction, orthopedic consultation may be appropriate. We frequently co-manage patients with orthopedic colleagues.

How do I know if my foot pain is serious?

Signs that warrant same-day or next-day evaluation: severe pain that appeared suddenly without clear cause, swelling, redness, and warmth that appeared suddenly (possible gout, infection, or Charcot fracture), an open wound that looks infected (redness spreading, pus, warmth), inability to bear weight, or any foot problem in a diabetic patient. Pain that’s been present for weeks and is stable is important but not an emergency — schedule within 1–2 weeks.

Can foot problems cause back and knee pain?

Yes — this is a kinetic chain effect. Abnormal foot mechanics (overpronation, supination, leg length discrepancy) cause compensatory changes in knee, hip, and lumbar alignment. Roughly 30% of patients presenting to our clinic with knee pain have a treatable foot-level biomechanical cause. Correcting foot mechanics with orthotics or appropriate footwear often provides significant knee and back relief. If you have chronic knee or back pain and haven’t had your foot mechanics evaluated, it’s worth a consult.

Are orthotics worth it?

For the right conditions, yes — custom orthotics are among the most cost-effective interventions in podiatry. They’re most effective for: plantar fasciitis, flat feet with secondary knee/back pain, leg length discrepancy, metatarsalgia, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, and diabetic foot pressure management. Quality OTC orthotics ($35–60) resolve symptoms for 60% of patients with mild-to-moderate conditions. Custom orthotics are appropriate when OTC options have failed or when the biomechanical problem is complex. We cast custom orthotics in-office.

How do I choose the right running shoes?

Start with your foot type (flat, neutral, high arch) and running pattern (overpronator, neutral, supinator). Flat feet and overpronators do best in stability or motion-control shoes. Neutral feet do well in neutral-cushioned shoes. High arches need maximum cushioning with flexible soles. Always buy running shoes at the end of the day (foot swelling peaks then), get properly fitted by a specialist, and replace every 300–500 miles. If you’ve been injured repeatedly, a gait analysis can identify the mechanical flaw driving your injury pattern.

What is the difference between a sprain and a fracture?

A sprain is a ligament injury (the tissue connecting bones); a fracture is a break in the bone itself. Both can occur with the same trauma (ankle roll, fall). The old test — ‘if you can walk, it’s not broken’ — is wrong; many fractures are initially weight-bearable. Key differences: a fracture typically produces localized bone tenderness along the bone itself, while a sprain is tender over the ligament. X-ray is the standard to differentiate. High-grade sprains without proper treatment can be as disabling as fractures.

How do I prevent foot and ankle injuries?

The four most impactful prevention strategies: (1) Supportive, appropriately fitted footwear for your foot type and activity. (2) Gradual activity progression — the 10% rule (never increase weekly mileage or intensity by more than 10%). (3) Regular calf and ankle mobility work. (4) Strengthening the posterior tibial tendon, peroneals, and intrinsic foot muscles. Most overuse injuries are preventable; most acute injuries are not — but ankle sprain recurrence (60–70% without rehab) is prevented by balance and proprioception training.

American Podiatric Medical Association: Biomechanics and Gait

In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle

If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your foot and ankle issues, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-day evaluations and advanced in-office care.