Patient History: The assessment often begins with a thorough discussion of the patient’s medical history, including any previous injuries, surgeries, or medical conditions. This helps the physiotherapist understand the context of the patient’s current complaints.
Observation: The physiotherapist observes the patient’s posture, gait (walking pattern), and movement patterns during various activities. Visual assessment provides valuable information about alignment and movement quality.
Physical Examination: A comprehensive physical examination is conducted to assess joint range of motion, muscle strength, flexibility, and any structural abnormalities. This may include specific tests to assess muscle length, joint stability, and joint mobility.
Functional Testing: Functional tests are used to assess the patient’s ability to perform specific movements or activities related to their condition or goals. These tests may include squats, lunges, lifting techniques, or sport-specific movements.
Gait Analysis: If relevant, gait analysis may be used to evaluate the patient’s walking or running patterns. This can be done visually or with the help of specialized equipment, such as motion analysis systems or pressure mats.
Instrumentation: In some cases, instruments like force plates, 3D motion capture systems, and electromyography (EMG) sensors are used to gather quantitative data on movement, forces, and muscle activity. This data can provide more detailed insights into biomechanical issues.
Purposes and Goals of a Biomechanical Assessment in Physiotherapy:
Diagnosis: A biomechanical assessment can help the physiotherapist diagnose musculoskeletal issues, postural abnormalities, or movement dysfunctions that may be contributing to the patient’s symptoms or pain.
Treatment Planning: Based on the assessment findings, the physiotherapist can develop a tailored treatment plan. This plan may include exercises, manual therapy techniques, and other interventions aimed at addressing biomechanical issues and improving function.
Injury Prevention: For athletes and individuals at risk of injury, a biomechanical assessment can identify specific factors that increase the risk of injury. The physiotherapist can then develop strategies to reduce this risk.
Rehabilitation: Patients recovering from injuries or surgeries can benefit from a biomechanical assessment to identify and address movement deficits, muscle imbalances, and other issues that may impede their recovery.
Performance Enhancement: Athletes may undergo biomechanical assessments to optimize their performance in sports. By identifying areas for improvement in their movement patterns, athletes can work on enhancing their performance.
Customized Interventions: The assessment can lead to the development of personalized exercise programs and recommendations for orthotic devices, braces, or footwear modifications to improve alignment and function.
A biomechanical assessment in physiotherapy is an essential tool to better understand the mechanical aspects of the body, improve patient outcomes, and optimize movement and function while reducing the risk of injury. It is typically conducted by physiotherapists who have specialized training and expertise in biomechanical analysis.