Running and Sport Injury Clinic

Posted by Dr. Lev Kalika on Wednesday, April 4, 2012 · Leave a Comment

The running and sports injury clinic was developed to provide a diagnostic ,treatment and performance enhancement services to various athletes and runners.In order to understand the cause of running or sport injuries sophisticated and precise biomechanical analysis must be conducted. This type of evaluation includes a computerized video gait analysis that utilizes a state of the art motion analysis laboratory. The motion analysis laboratory includes : specialized instrumented treadmill, 3D video analysis system with special software, plantar pressure plate, surface electromyography system and ground reaction force plate.

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE ?
An initial evaluation is performed to determine how one’s structure , function or performance technique may be influencing their movement. This comprehensive evaluation includes taking a detailed injury history, assessing shoes and abnormal wear patterns, assessing structure and alignment focusing on the trunk and lower extremity and performing 3D video gait or motion analysis.
A gait analysis includes the monitoring of movement patterns as the patient runs across the laboratory. Data are collected using 3D camera motion analysis system. Biomechanics of the joint motion as well as spatiotemporal parameters ( step length, step width , cadence and etc..) can be determined from this information. Muscle activation patterns are measured with wireless surface electromyographer.

Runners traverse a force plate centered in the middle of the runway. These force measurements describe the way in which a runner applies forces to the ground and can provide information regarding: balance, weight distribution , shock absorption as well as excessive loading that may be occurring.
Videotaping with high speed cameras is done from the front, rear and side to provide a visual assessment of the runner. This recorded information is synchronized and can be replayed and review to note and measure the movement not visible to naked human eye.

INTERPRETATION OF GAIT OR MOTION ANALYSIS
Gait analysis allows to quantitative and qualitatively assessment of all the data collected. The information from the structural assessment, the biomechanics, the injury history and gait analysis data then integrated together in order to plan the best course of treatment for this patient. From this analysis, individualized recommendations are typically made in the following areas:

Running style and modification – heel strike vs fore foot strike
Orthotics – braces to control unwanted movement or facilitate normal movement.
Footwear – prescribe shoes or shoe modifications which will optimize one’s walking or running performance
Therapeutic intervention to correct biomechanics , strengthen and or increase flexibility of muscles which may be the cause or contributing to the abnormal gait or running pattern.

This comprehensive analysis is taken into consideration together with past and present clinical history, radiological evaluation and patients desire to enhance performance or bounce back on the track.
The information gained from the gait or running analysis is invaluable in lieu of variety of most advanced therapeutic interventions as well as some of the worlds most advance therapeutic technology available at Dynamic Neuromuscular Rehabilitation.
Some of the methods and technology we use has been used to treat many elite professional athletes such as: Rodger Federer, Yaromir Jagr, FC Manchester city , FC Dymano Kiev, FC Ajax , FC Milan, New York city ballet and variety of other NBA and NFL players.

Running style optimization and modification – heel strike vs fore foot strike

Orthotics – braces to control unwanted movement or facilitate normal movement.
Footwear – prescribe shoes or shoe modifications which will optimize one’s walking or running performance
Modification of running technique/ running technique correction
Identification of deficits in biomechanics during running
Therapeutic intervention to correct biomechanics , strengthen and or increase flexibility of muscles which may be the cause or contributing to the abnormal gait or running pattern.

We are also currently involved in treatment and injury prevention in youth athletic sports clubs in New York city.