How do I get an appointment?

Please note that Gait analysis is an expensive and time consuming procedure and will only be beneficial for certain children. Therefore, Gait Lab appointments are only issued upon receipt of a referral from one of our associated orthopaedic surgeons. The Gait Lab will contact you when they have scheduled an appointment for your child. 

To arrange a consultation for your child with one of the orthopaedic surgeons you will need a referral from your general practitioner or paediatrician and a current physiotherapy report. An appointment can be made at the RCH specialist clinic by phoning (03) 9345 5034.  After the consultation, referral to the Gait Laboratory will be made if appropriate.

Sometimes children are referred to the laboratory inappropriately. If your child is less than one metre tall or cannot walk more than 10m (with aids or splints) then it may be worth ringing in advance to ensure that gait analysis is likely to be useful.

What to bring?

Boys: Bring shorts or boxer shorts and a singlet top.
Girls: Shorts and a tight t-shirt (preferably singlet type or crop top). NEVER leotards or one piece swimsuits, as these can interfere with marker placement.
For all tests, please bring orthoses and mobility aids that are normally used.  It is a good idea to bring a snack and drink for your child.

You child's co-operation and concentration is essential for accurate data collection, so please keep those in attendance with you to a minimum.

Please no high heels as it will damage the floor of our laboratory.

During your visit

Different examinations and test will be performed during your childs appoinment depending on an individual's ability and reason for referral.  Below is an out line of tests that you may see when you visit the Gait Lab.

Physical examination

This is performed by a physiotherapist and consists of movements and stretches to give an indication of joint movement, muscle length and muscle strength. 

2D Video Analysis

This involves being filmed from different angles with video cameras as your childs walk up and down the lab  to get a good picture of how your child walks.  Video is also taken of posture and muscle lengths and joint ranges.

3D Gait Analysis

3D Gait Analysis Involves the placement of small reflective markers on the skin at specific locations.  As your child walks up and down our motion analysis cameras are able to capture this and create a 3D representation of your child's walking.  This data allows us to see the movement and forces going through each of the different joints as your child walks. 

Electromyography (EMG)

The purpose of EMG is to measure the electrical activity of muscles, which provide clinicians with information about when the muscles are activating.  This is performed by placing small electrodes on the skin over the body of the muscle.  Miniature amplifiers are attached to these electrodes which transmit the electrical signals to our computer system.