The Penicuik & Peebles Podiatrist Clinics
Ying Peng Podiatrist
01968 705097
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Gait Analysis and Biomechanical Examination in Penicuik
At the Penicuik Podiatrist Clinic in Midlothian, we use gait analysis and biomechanical examination to investigate how your feet and lower limbs function during walking. Using Digitsole in-shoe sensors and Orthotics International pressure-scan technology, we can measure how weight moves through the foot and identify movement patterns that may contribute to pain in the feet, heels, knees, hips, or lower back. This detailed assessment helps us understand the underlying cause of symptoms and guide appropriate treatment.
Your feet are not “just feet”. They’re your foundation — and every step sends forces upward through ankles, knees, hips and spine.
As the video above shows, “Feet… [are] designed to support, absorb and adapt.” If something is off in the way your foot loads, rolls or stabilises, it can quietly ripple through your whole movement pattern — until pain, fatigue or recurring injury forces you to notice.
That’s why we offer two complementary ways to measure what’s happening:
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Biomechanical Examination (Pressure Scan + Podiatry Assessment) using our Orthotics International GaitScan™ scanning mat
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Digitsole (In‑shoe Gait Analysis) using smart sensor insoles
You can book either — or book both for the most complete picture, here at the Penicuik Podiatrist Clinic.
Common Symptoms That May Benefit from Gait Analysis or a Biomechanical Examination
Gait Analysis for Knee Pain
Knee pain is frequently linked to the way the foot loads and moves during walking. When the foot rolls too far inward (over-pronation) or outward (supination), the alignment of the ankle and knee can be altered, increasing stress on the knee joint. A gait analysis measures how the foot strikes the ground, how weight moves across the foot, and how the leg rotates during walking. At the Penicuik Podiatrist Clinic, pressure-scan technology and in-shoe gait analysis can reveal abnormal movement patterns that may contribute to knee pain. Identifying these patterns allows the podiatrist to recommend targeted treatments such as orthotics, footwear advice, strengthening exercises, or referral for physiotherapy.
Gait Analysis for Heel Pain
Heel pain, including conditions such as plantar fasciitis, is often caused by excessive strain on the structures that support the arch of the foot. Gait analysis helps identify how the foot absorbs impact and distributes pressure during walking. Pressure scanning can show areas of high loading under the heel and arch, while in-shoe sensors reveal how the foot moves throughout the step cycle. By analysing these patterns, the podiatrist can determine whether abnormal foot mechanics are contributing to the pain. Treatment may include orthotic support, changes in footwear, stretching programmes, or other podiatric interventions designed to reduce strain on the heel.
Biomechanical Examination for Back Pain
The way the feet function can influence the alignment of the knees, hips, and spine. If the foot does not provide stable support during walking, compensations can occur further up the body, sometimes contributing to lower back pain. A biomechanical examination evaluates the structure and function of the feet and lower limbs, including joint movement, muscle balance, and walking mechanics. By combining clinical assessment with gait analysis technology, the podiatrist can identify whether abnormal foot mechanics are affecting posture and movement. Addressing these issues may help reduce stress on the lower back and improve overall movement efficiency.
Gait Assessment for Sports Injuries
Athletes and active individuals place repeated stress on their feet and lower limbs during running, training, and competition. Even small biomechanical imbalances can increase the risk of injury over time. A gait assessment examines how the feet and legs move during walking or running, identifying patterns such as excessive pronation, uneven loading, or instability. These findings can help explain recurring sports injuries affecting the feet, ankles, knees, or hips. By analysing movement patterns, the podiatrist can recommend strategies such as orthotic support, footwear adjustments, or targeted strengthening exercises to improve biomechanics and reduce injury risk.
Option 1: Biomechanical Examination (Foot Pressure Scan + Podiatry Assessment)
A biomechanical examination is more than a scan. It combines:
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A clinical podiatry assessment, and
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A dynamic foot pressure scan on the Orthotics International GaitScan™ pressure mat
What the GaitScan™ pressure mat shows
When you stand and walk across the mat, it captures a detailed “map” of how your feet load the ground — including pressure points, timing, and how your weight transfers as you move.
This helps us understand patterns such as:
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overloading through the heel or forefoot
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unstable or inefficient foot function
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asymmetry between left and right
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areas that may be working too hard (or not doing enough)
What the podiatry assessment adds (and why it matters)
A pressure scan is powerful — but it’s only one piece of the puzzle.
Your appointment also includes a podiatry-led assessment which may look at:
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foot and ankle range of motion
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alignment and joint function
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muscle strength and control
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walking pattern and functional movement
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relevant footwear wear-patterns and fit
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The goal: identify why your pressure pattern is happening, not just where it shows up.
Ideal if you…
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want a clear plan for foot pain, recurring flare-ups, or “niggly” issues
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are considering custom orthotics or want to know if they’re appropriate
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want an in-clinic assessment that combines technology + clinical expertise
Book this if you want: an expert assessment plus a clear explanation of your loading pattern and next steps.
Option 2: In‑shoe Gait Analysis (Smart Insoles) Using Digitsole
In‑shoe gait analysis is different from a pressure plate scan.
Instead of capturing a “snapshot” on a scanning platform, smart insoles measure how you load and move inside your shoes, across multiple steps, in more real-world conditions.
When this is the better choice
In‑shoe analysis is often ideal if you:
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want insight into what’s happening in your everyday footwear
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suspect shoes/trainers are influencing symptoms
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want objective data you can compare at follow-ups (before vs after)
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are working through rehab and want measurable progress
Book in‑shoe gait analysis if footwear, movement pattern, and progress tracking are the priority.
Option 3: Book Both?
Booking both gives you the most complete picture because it combines two different answers: the pressure scan shows where and when you’re loading (hot spots, asymmetry, transfer through the step), while Digitsole shows how you move inside your shoes across repeated steps (real‑world gait behaviour).
Used together, it’s far easier to pinpoint what’s driving recurring pain or repeated flare‑ups, separate true mechanical overload from compensation, and choose the right next step first time—whether that’s footwear changes, rehab priorities, or orthoses (only if appropriate).
It also produces two complementary reports you can share with other professionals—especially a physiotherapist—so they can align rehab with your loading and gait findings, target the right deficits, and measure improvement clearly at follow‑ups.
Book a Gait Analysis in Penicuik
The Penicuik Podiatrist Clinic is led by HCPC-registered podiatrist Ying Peng and serves patients across Midlothian, Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders. The Penicuik Podiatrist Clinic provides gait analysis and biomechanical examinations for patients across Midlothian including Penicuik, Loanhead, Roslin, Bilston, Bonnyrigg and Dalkeith, as well as patients travelling from Edinburgh and the Scottish Borders.