# What sort of physician analyzes gait and prescribes orthotics?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-physician-analyzes-gait-and-prescribes-orthotics/648093>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 23, 2013, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-physician-analyzes-gait-and-prescribes-orthotics/648093 "2013-01-23T12:26:06Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-physician-analyzes-gait-and-prescribes-orthotics/648093/1 "2013-01-23T12:26:06Z")

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I do (have done) a significant amount of distance running, and I now have chronic pains in my foot, ankle, hamstring, and thigh (all left side). I’ve been referred to several different physicians who treat these things in isolation. What sort of specialist could diagnose the problem holistically and prescribe a holistic solution (not woo-woo holistic, just whole-leg holistic, including orthotics if necessary. I suspect one of my legs is longer than the other, or something like that, is what I’m getting at).

I should mention I went to a sports med doctor and he didn’t do the holistic analysis I hoped for.

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**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-physician-analyzes-gait-and-prescribes-orthotics/648093/2 "2013-01-23T13:26:18Z")

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I’m going to suggest [Orthopaedics](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orthopedic_surgery).

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**Author:** ![si\_blakely](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d9b06d/32.png) [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-physician-analyzes-gait-and-prescribes-orthotics/648093/3 "2013-01-23T15:04:02Z")

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A [Podiatrist](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podiatrist) (with Biomechanics/Sports Medicine)

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**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\
**Post date:** [January 23, 2013, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-sort-of-physician-analyzes-gait-and-prescribes-orthotics/648093/4 "2013-01-23T15:31:43Z")

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You go to an orthopedist and he’ll measure your legs from hip bone to ankle. If they are the same length he’ll look for other causes to your problems, which don’t sound anything like a difference in leg length.