Research

GaitSmart Pilot

Musculoskeletal issues

In the UK for people aged 55-75 around 30% of years lived with disabilities are due to musculoskeletal (MSK) issues.

Key facts from the World Health Organisation 2022

Approximately 1.71 billion people have musculoskeletal conditions worldwide.

Musculoskeletal conditions are the leading contributor to disability worldwide, with low back pain being the single leading cause of disability in 160 countries.

Musculoskeletal conditions significantly limit mobility and dexterity, leading to early retirement from work, lower levels of well-being and reduced ability to participate in society.

GaitSmart

GaitSmart is innovative technology that provides an objective measure of gait/walking ability in a patient friendly report. It is a quick and easy test, where sensors are attached to a patients legs and a short walking test is undertaken. A report is produced showing any identified weaknesses or imbalances and a personalised plan of approximately six exercises most relevant to the deficits are recommended. The test is repeated every 4 weeks, where hopefully any improvement are seen.

How GaitSmart helps Musculoskeletal Health

  • Wellness
    Walking more freely helps physical and mental wellbeing. For those experiencing musculoskeletal pain and reduced physical activity, GaitSmart Identifies walking issues and guides people to correct them through a personalised exercise plan.
  • Osteoarthritis (OA)
    For the 8 million people that have hip or knee OA that have access to no drug that can stop or reverse joint damage. GaitSmart provides a quick and simple diagnosis and a personalised exercise plan to help maintain muscle strength.
  • Joint Replacement
    For the 1 million people who are waiting to receive a hip or knee replacement and the 250,000 who undergo the operation each year, GaitSmart provides pre and post-op gait assessments and personalised exercises to help get back to normal.
  • Falls & Frailty
    For the 4 million people that fall each year and the 6 million people in the UK that are considered frail. GaitSmart provides a quantified assessment of gait issues and a personalised strength and balance exercise plan to address these issues.

The vision of GaitSmart is to reduce the number of MSK conditions in the population by earlier identification and improve mobility to help keep everyone healthy and independent for longer.

West Street Surgery are delighted to announce that they will be taking part in the GaitSmart Pilot.

We are initially looking for 24 patients who feel that they would benefit from the walking analysis, happy to commit to a 12 week programme which includes 4 scheduled test (Tuesday afternoons).

Inclusion criteria

  • Any adult 18+ who feels like their walking is not as effortless as it used to be
  • Ability to walk (with or without a walking aid) 10 metres turn and walk back
  • Capacity to consent and to participate in the GaitSmart intervention Programme
  • Able to commit to the 12 week programme of tests and home exercise plan.

Exclusion Criteria

  • Have a catheter or other fitted external device that GaitSmart straps applied to waist, hips, knees and ankles may interfere with.
  • Patient cannot be pregnant.

West Street Surgery will be running four groups. Please email emma.debbage1@nhs.net or call the Practice on 01582 664401 to speak to Emma if you are interested.

Group First Test Second Test Third Test Final Test
A 12th March 9th April 7th May 4th June
B 19th March 16th April 14th May 11th June
C 26th March 23rd April 21st May 18th June
D 2nd April 30th April 28th May 25th June