EFFECTIVENESS OF ORTHOSES IN CONTROLLING REARFOOT MOTION IN A GROUP OF SUB.IECTS WITH REARFOOT VARUS

Abstract

This study examined the effectiveness of orthoses and triplanar wedges in controlling rearfoot motion compared to barefoot and shod conditions. Five male subjects were videotaped running on a treadmill at 3.8 m.s-1 under the four conditions (barefoot, shod, orthoses and wedge). A three-dimensional analysis was performed using the Peak Motus Analysis system. Both anti-pronation devices (orthoses and wedge) reduced motion compared to the barefoot condition, but this is not as relevant to everyday living as little activity takes place when barefoot. Neither device significantly controlled any variables compared to the shod condition although the orthoses did significantly increase the eversion angle at heel strike. It was concluded that while the devices are not effective prior to contact, they is a tendency towards a reducing effect on motion during stance