EFFECTS OF BILATERAL AND UNILATERAL SEMI-RIGID ANKLE ORTHOSES ON ANKLE STABILITY AND GROUND CONTACT KINETICS

Abstract

Injuries of the ankle complex are common in the sporting, civilian and military populations. The purpose of this study was to ascertain and compare the effects of unilateral and bilateral orthoses on the range of inversion and eversion at the ankle complex and on Ground Reaction Forces. Isokinetic goniometric measurement and the assessment of peak loads and timing parameters during the gait cycle were assessed in subjects with no history of ankle injury (n=31) and subjects recovering from ankle injury (n=24). There were differences in inversion angle between the braces (P<0.05). In contrast there were no differences in kinetic profiles. The stability provided by semi-rigid ankle orthoses does not appear to result from moderation of ground reaction forces.