Orthotic intervention and postural stability in participants with functional ankle instability after an accommodation period.

CONTEXT: Most protocols established to treat patients with functional ankle instability (FAI) have focused on taping the ankle. Orthotic intervention is a different treatment protocol that may have a positive effect on these patients, especially after an accommodation period.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether the use of a prefabricated orthotic affects postural stability in patients with FAI and a control group.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

PATIENTS OR OTHER

PARTICIPANTS

Forty patients with unilateral FAI.

INTERVENTION(S): Postural stability was measured on both limbs using a force plate on 3 occasions. Participants were instructed to balance on 1 limb with their eyes closed for 20 seconds. In session 1, postural stability was measured with the patient wearing his or her own athletic shoes. The control group repeated this procedure in sessions 2 and 3. When those in the orthotic group returned for session 2, they received prefabricated, full-length Quick Comfort Insoles for both feet, immediately placed the orthotics in their shoes, and were tested for postural stability. Patients in the orthotic group were instructed to wear the inserts daily and return 2 weeks later for session 3 and repeat postural stability testing.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Center of pressure.

RESULTS

In the orthotic group, postural stability improved between sessions 1 and 2 and sessions 1 and 3. In session 3, postural stability was different for the orthotic and control groups. We also identified a difference between the limbs such that the FAI ankle displayed worse postural stability than did the healthy ankle.

CONCLUSIONS

Prefabricated orthotics improved postural stability in participants with FAI. Similar to the findings of previous researchers, we found that postural stability was worse in FAI ankles than in healthy ankles.