In short

Biomechanical exam for children

Bio-me-cha-nics

The study of the mechanical properties of the human body that affect its movements.

What is it?

What is a biomechanical exam?

A biomechanical exam for children is a comprehensive assessment of the way the child’s body functions while walking. Both static and dynamic tests are conducted to investigate the body’s osteo-articular and muscular functions. A biomechanical exam may be conducted as soon as the child has begun to walk.

Normal function is assessed differently in children compared to adults. The criteria used vary depending on the child’s age and can change as the child grows. That’s why the biomechanical exam for children differs from that used for adults.

In addition to a physical and clinical assessment, a podiatrist will examine the child’s biomechanics with the help of pressure analysis imaging technology including sensors embedded in shoes and/or placed on the floor with cameras as well as X-ray imaging.

This information is then analyzed in order to identify the source of the problem, establish a podiatric diagnosis and ultimately develop an appropriate treatment plan for your child.

For who?

The biomechanical exam, who is it for?

Any child presenting one of the following:

Family history of foot problems
Need for an assessment to verify normal development
Poor posture
Plantar misalignment (flat or high arches)
Abnormal gait
Pronation or supination (inward or outward roll of the foot)
Excessive wear and tear of shoes
Frequent falls
Difficulty running as fast as other children their age
Pain in the feet, legs, knees or back
Growing pains in the legs
Premature fatigue when taking part in physical activities
Foot difformity (bunions, early signs of hammer toes)
Accumulation of calluses (hard skin)
Development of bumps (e.g., behind the heel)
Crooked knees or ankles
Frequent sports injuries
Athletic children who want to optimize their performance and prevent injuries

Earnings

What are the benefits of a biomechanical exam?

Efficiently identifies biomechanical abnormalities
Identifies the exact source of a problem and produces an accurate diagnosis
Helps act quickly to prevent problems from persisting over time
Helps parents better understand their child’s condition
Supports the development of an appropriate and personalized treatment plan
Provides a holistic assessment of the foot and lower limb function
Provides an overall picture of the child’s biomechanical development

How does the treatment work?

Patient history and physical exam:

Review of health history and functional tests in lying and standing position.
Computerized gait and posture analysis:

A number of determining biomechanical factors are assessed using pressure sensors connected to cameras.
Digital X-rays and related exams:

Additional exams are sometimes necessary to establish a more exact diagnosis (e.g. diagnostic ultrasound, CT scan).
The condition and personalized treatment plan are explained:

Your podiatrist provides you with an overview of the child’s foot health and suggests a treatment plan based on his needs.

After reviewing the patient’s health history, the podiatrist performs several functional tests with the patient lying down and standing. These tests vary depending on the patient’s age.

Afterwards, a comprehensive gait analysis is conducted thanks to software using pressure sensors connected to cameras. This allows the podiatrist to assess a number of factors that are important in walking and running: walking angle, walking pattern accounting for age, distribution of pressure points, trajectory of the mass centre, asymmetry and deviations, synchronism, movement of the various parts of the lower limb, etc.

The same technology is then used to evaluate the patient’s standing posture: angle of knees and legs, weight distribution between both feet, pressure segmentation on the front and back of the feet, deviation and shifting of the mass centre.

Foot x-rays are then analyzed. These images are particularly valuable because they can be used to observe changes in the child’s foot over time. The X-rays of the child’s feet are then studied to assess bone angles and compare them to normal standards, search for anatomical variations that can negatively impact foot function, and assess bone and joint health. If the patient has pain, the X-rays can also help pinpoint the diagnosis.

Finally, once your child’s condition has been analyzed, your podiatrist will provide an overview of the patient’s foot health and suggest an appropriate treatment. The treatment plan may include specific exercises, plantar orthotics, specialized splints, modifications to footwear, a derotation stabilizer, manipulative therapy or other options.

The technology used by Propulsion clinics is unique and makes it possible to analyze plantar pressures directly inside the patient’s shoes. This allows the podiatrist to evaluate the feet’s response to an intervention such as plantar orthotics.

Myth!

They’ll probably grow out of it. I’ll wait before consulting a specialist.

In fact, the opposite is often true!
Children's bodies develop through a series of changes that occur as they grow. However, abnormalities can often persist and become pathological. To ensure the child's development remains normal, it's best to intervene early rather than late. The longer you wait to address the problem, the less effective the treatment options will be and the more likely the problem will persist into adulthood.

My child never complains of pain, so there's no point doing an assessment.

Even the most severe misalignment often causes no pain in children. Therefore, a lack of symptoms is not a good reason to avoid an assessment. It's often in adulthood that pain emerges as a result of biomechanical misalignment, but many of the underlying problems may be corrected during childhood.