Effect of rearfoot orthotics on postural sway after lateral ankle sprain

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of different rearfoot orthotics on postural sway during unilateral stance after lateral ankle sprain.

Design: Repeated-measures 3-factor analysis of variance on postural sway length and velocity in the frontal and sagittal planes with factors being stance leg (injured, uninjured), session (within 3 d, 2 wk, 4 wk postinjury), and condition (6 orthotic conditions).

Setting: University biomechanics laboratory.

Patients: Fifteen collegiate athletes with acute, unilateral first- or second-degree lateral ankle sprain.

Interventions: Balance testing was performed under 6 conditions: (1) shoe only, (2) molded Aquaplast orthotic, (3) lateral heel wedge, (4) 7 degrees medially posted orthotic, (5) 4 degrees laterally posted orthotic, and (6) neutral orthotic.

Main outcome measures: Postural sway length and postural sway velocity in the frontal and sagittal planes.

Results: Significant main effects were found for side and session, but not orthotic condition, for all 4 dependent variables. Postural sway length and velocity were greater on the injured limbs as compared with the uninjured limbs during the first 2 sessions but not during the third session. None of the orthotics significantly reduced postural sway compared with the shoe-only condition after lateral ankle sprain.

Conclusions: Rearfoot orthotics, irrespective of design or posting, were ineffective at improving postural sway after lateral ankle sprain.