Clinical gait analysis - Methods, limitations, and indications

Human gait is a complex and cyclic movement. Gait analysis of human walking can be done either without any technical support, or in combination with complex and expensive equipment. Modern gait analysis is based on the integration of multiple components to derive a complete analysis of gait. These methods may include observation, videotaping, electromyography, kinematics, kinetics and energetics. The results gained from these methods may then be used to determine the treatment course of a subject with gait abnormalities or to document the effects of therapeutical intervention. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most common used methods in gait analysis. Emphasis will be placed on the type of information that can be derived from each component and how this information can be used clinically.