A cutting-edge gait laboratory has been opened by Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, to provide advanced support for adults and children with conditions affecting movement and coordination, including cerebral palsy, spina bifida, and neurological disorders.
The facility will also help patients with foot pressure problems linked to diabetes, improving treatment outcomes and quality of life.
The lab offers 2D and 3D motion analysis, capturing how a person walks, their body movements, muscle activity, and the forces acting on joints during walking. This detailed data enables doctors, physiotherapists, podiatrists and other specialists to plan surgeries and treatments with greater precision.
As the only gait lab of its kind in the region and one of just 16 accredited labs in the UK and Ireland, the service is experiencing rapid growth. It now expects to carry out over 200 complex assessments annually, reflecting rising demand for advanced movement analysis.
Advanced Physiotherapist at the gait lab, Jane Gilman, said:
“Our new lab represents a significant improvement in our measurement capabilities and offers a fantastic regional facility, housing the latest equipment and technology”.
“The demolition of the previous facility at the Centre for Aging and Vitality called for a new and improved lab and this is an excellent resource for patients from across the whole region.
“Without it, people would have to travel much further afield, as the nearest appropriate alternatives are in Edinburgh or Sheffield.”
By combining state-of-the-art technology with expert clinical insight, the gait lab helps patients achieve better mobility and independence, supporting long-term health and wellbeing.
Image credit: iStock
