Biomechanics and Gait Analysis

Gait analysis is a clinical assessment of how you walk and run, used to identify movement dysfunction that may be causing pain or limiting performance. At Altius Healthcare, biomechanics and gait analysis is led by Stuart Campbell, a consultant podiatrist and former Team GB athlete with over a decade of experience as an NHS Band 8 lower limb and foot and ankle specialist.

Unlike a high street running shop assessment, a clinical gait analysis at Altius combines hands-on examination with advanced motion analysis technology to pinpoint the underlying cause of your symptoms — not just the visible compensation patterns.

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Your specialist: Stuart Campbell, Consultant Podiatrist

Stuart is a consultant podiatrist who bridges elite sport and general practice. His background includes:

• Former professional athlete with Team GB
• Over a decade as an NHS Band 8 lower limb and foot and ankle specialist
• Honorary university lecturer in MSK sport and pathology (UK and international)
• Sports therapist, corrective exercise specialist, and performance specialist
• Active in clinical research and rehabilitation product development

Stuart works with athletes from club level to Olympic and professional standard alongside patients in general practice. His approach draws on his own experience as a competitive athlete and his clinical training to treat each patient with a focus on accurate diagnosis and measurable outcomes.

Book with Stuart at Hale | Book with Stuart at Bury

What happens during a gait analysis appointment

A gait analysis at Altius is a 45-minute appointment covering clinical assessment, technology-assisted analysis, diagnosis, and a treatment plan. Here is what to expect.

Clinical examination

Stuart begins with a detailed history — your symptoms, activity levels, injury history, and goals. A hands-on assessment follows, examining joint range of motion, muscle strength, and structural alignment from the lower back through to the foot and ankle.

OptoGait 2D infrared analysis

The OptoGait system uses infrared sensors to capture precise temporal and spatial gait parameters in real time — stride length, contact time, swing symmetry, and loading patterns during walking, running, and jump tests. This data is reviewed with you during the appointment, so you can see exactly what your gait pattern looks like and where asymmetries or abnormalities are present.

PODOSMART in-shoe analysis

For running assessments and selected walking cases, Stuart also uses the PODOSMART system — an instrumented insole that captures kinetic data during real-world movement rather than on a treadmill alone. This provides pressure distribution, pronation timing, and foot strike data in the environment where your symptoms actually occur, giving a more complete clinical picture.

Diagnosis and treatment plan

Once the clinical and technology assessments are complete, Stuart explains the findings in detail and discusses the diagnosis with you. A treatment plan is agreed, which may include custom orthotics, gait retraining, a targeted exercise programme, or a combination. Where necessary, Stuart works closely with your physiotherapist or consultant to coordinate your care.

Why we use both OptoGait and PODOSMART

Most gait analysis clinics rely on a single method — typically treadmill video or pressure plate. At Altius, Stuart uses two complementary systems because each captures different data.

OptoGait provides highly accurate measurements in a controlled clinical environment. It is particularly strong for identifying asymmetry between left and right sides, measuring stride-to-stride consistency, and quantifying changes over time — for example, before and after an orthotic intervention or rehabilitation programme.

PODOSMART captures what happens when you move naturally — outside, on the road, in your own footwear. This is important because gait patterns on a treadmill do not always replicate real-world movement. In-shoe data reveals how forces distribute across the foot during the activities that actually cause your symptoms.

Using both means Stuart can cross-reference findings. If OptoGait identifies a timing asymmetry in your gait cycle, PODOSMART can confirm whether that asymmetry persists — or worsens — during real-world running. This dual approach reduces the risk of basing a treatment plan on incomplete data.

Conditions commonly assessed through gait analysis

Problems with the way you walk or run can be caused by muscular imbalance, joint restriction, or a structural issue in the foot, ankle, leg, or lower back. Gait analysis is commonly used to investigate and treat:

• Plantar fasciitis — heel pain often linked to abnormal loading patterns during the stance phase of gait
• Shin splints (medial tibial stress syndrome) — frequently associated with overpronation or rapid increases in training load
• Knee pain — including patellofemoral pain, where gait analysis can identify rotational or alignment issues contributing to symptoms
• Hip pain — gait dysfunction in the foot and ankle often produces compensatory movement patterns at the hip
• Lower back pain — leg length discrepancy, pelvic asymmetry, and altered gait mechanics are common contributing factors
• Osteoarthritis — gait analysis can guide orthotic prescription and load management to reduce joint stress
• Achilles tendinopathy — pronation timing and calf loading patterns are key factors assessed during analysis
• Recurring running injuries — when the same injury keeps returning despite treatment, gait analysis investigates the underlying biomechanical cause

If you are unsure whether gait analysis is appropriate for your condition, contact us on 0161 401 1000 and Stuart can advise.

Clinical gait analysis vs high street running shop analysis

A free gait analysis at a running shop typically involves a short treadmill recording to determine whether you overpronate, underpronate, or have a neutral gait. The goal is to recommend an appropriate shoe type. This is useful for choosing footwear but it is not a clinical assessment.

A clinical gait analysis with a specialist podiatrist is a diagnostic process. Stuart examines joint range of motion, muscle function, and structural alignment before any technology is used. The OptoGait and PODOSMART data is then interpreted in the context of your clinical history, symptoms, and examination findings — not in isolation.

Critically, patterns like overpronation are often a compensation for a problem elsewhere in the chain. Simply blocking pronation with a motion control shoe can shift stress to another area. Clinical gait analysis identifies the root cause so treatment addresses the actual dysfunction, not just the visible symptom.

Trusted by athletes at every level

Stuart works with professional and Olympic athletes alongside everyday runners, walkers, and patients in general practice.

Pricing

Biomechanical Gait Analysis | 45 minutes | £120

Your gait analysis appointment includes:

• Full clinical examination — history, joint assessment, and muscle testing
• OptoGait 2D infrared gait analysis — walking, running, and/or jump tests as appropriate
• PODOSMART in-shoe analysis — for running cases and selected walking assessments
• Diagnosis and full explanation of findings
• Treatment plan — which may include custom orthotics, exercise programme, and/or gait retraining

Gait analysis at Altius is available to self-pay and BUPA patients. If you are insured with another provider, contact us to check coverage.

Frequently asked questions about gait analysis

Do I need a GP referral for gait analysis?

No. You can book a gait analysis appointment directly with Stuart without a referral. If you have been referred by a GP, consultant, or physiotherapist, please bring any relevant correspondence or imaging to your appointment.

What should I wear to my appointment?

Wear shorts or clothing that allows Stuart to observe your lower limbs clearly. Bring the footwear you normally use for the activity causing your symptoms — for example, your running shoes. If you have existing orthotics or insoles, bring those too.

How long is the appointment?

45 minutes. This includes the clinical examination, OptoGait and PODOSMART analysis, explanation of findings, and discussion of your treatment plan.

Will I need orthotics?

Not necessarily. Orthotics are one possible outcome but Stuart may recommend gait retraining, a strengthening programme, or a combination of approaches depending on the findings. The treatment plan is always based on the clinical and technology data from your assessment, not a one-size-fits-all approach.

Can children have gait analysis?

Yes. Stuart regularly assesses children and adapts the assessment to their age and capabilities. Gait concerns in children — such as in-toeing, flat feet, or growing pains — can often be identified and managed effectively through biomechanical assessment.

Is gait analysis only for runners?

No. Gait analysis examines walking as well as running. It is used for anyone experiencing lower limb, foot, ankle, knee, hip, or lower back pain that may be related to how they move — whether that is during sport, at work, or in daily life.

Which clinics offer gait analysis?

Gait analysis with Stuart Campbell is available at our Hale and Bury clinics. Contact us on 0161 401 1000 to book.

Book your gait analysis

Our biomechanics and gait analysis service is available at our Hale and Bury clinics. Book directly below or contact us to discuss your needs.

Book at Hale | Book at Bury

Have questions before booking? Call us on 0161 401 1000 or email info@altiushealthcare.co.uk.

Related services

• Podiatry — foot and ankle injury assessment, routine podiatry, verruca treatment, and diabetic foot screening
• Shockwave therapy — commonly used alongside gait analysis for conditions including plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy
• Joint injections — corticosteroid and Ostenil injections for joint pain, available at Altius clinics
• Physiotherapy — Stuart works closely with our physiotherapy team where combined treatment is needed
• Rehabilitation — including Pilates and strength and conditioning programmes