Deviant movement resulting in pain – Excessive Toe Out Gait

Asymmetrical movements walking or running are considered deviant or less than optimal movements. The individual in the video below is complaining of musculoskeletal pain in the left lower extremity. What do you see? Do you see the asymmetrical movement? Do you see the right foot is pointing straight ahead, and the left foot is not…

Read More

Using a selfie video for motion analysis

A selfie video can enhance motion analysis for the diagnosis and intervention of painful musculoskeletal injury, for injury prevention, and for enhancing movement performance. A selfie video is a video recording that you take of yourself, also called a velifie A selfie video can:    Provide opportunities for reflective self-learning. Provide visual data regarding comparing…

Read More

Walk this way – Run this way

What way should we walk? What way should we run? Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder wrote the script for the movie “Young Frankenstein” in which the character Igor the hunchback shows Dr. Frankenstein “this way”, and hands him his cane, expecting Dr. Frankenstein to mimic his hunched, contorted shuffle, which Dr. Frankenstein cordially does. This…

Read More

How 2D video motion analysis facilitates problem solving, reflective learning, & identification of novel interventions

The referral of this gentleman in the video below was for an exercise program for chronic right knee pain. The patient and the referring Physician Assistant expressed expectations that an exercise program would help decrease his pain so he could return to playing recreational basketball. There is ongoing controversy about whether high-intensity quadriceps strengthening exercises…

Read More

Sensory preference & learning optimal movement

There are many cognitive strategies to cue, prompt, and provide feedback to improve movement. Theory of focus of attention The dominant theory proposed by Gabriele Wulf and colleagues is providing cueing, prompting, or feedback to facilitate learning to move in a more optimal way is using an external focus of attention is more effective and…

Read More

Catch 22 – Underutilization of 2D Slow-Motion Video Analysis

Why is there low utilization of 2D slow motion video analysis of movement by Physical Therapists? There are many advantages for using 2D slow-motion video analysis for management of movement disorders including increased accuracy of diagnosing movement impairments; improved communication with patients and healthcare team; increased engagement of the patient; and improved understanding of movement…

Read More

Optimizing human movement requires clarity of description of movement

To know where you are going you must first know where you are. To optimize human movement, analysis of human movement is required. To identify optimal human movement clear qualitative and quantitative descriptions are needed. When describing human movement confusion occurs when we fail to clearly identify a frame of reference and reference point. A…

Read More

Gait deviations clustering gait deviations – injury – new data

In a previous blog article, I discussed the question “Is there a gait deviation or cluster of gait deviations which is common across musculoskeletal pain syndromes?” The consensus is currently there is no definitive evidence suggesting one gait deviation or cluster of gait deviations occurs more frequently or is more important than another. More research…

Read More

Side Effects Occur During Gait Training

  A side effect is a secondary effect, typically undesirable effect of a drug or medical intervention. Any intervention that can produce a therapeutic effect can also produce side effects or adverse effects. The current standard of practice is to provide informed consent before beginning evaluation and treatment. Informed consent includes identifying the benefits and…

Read More