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


METHODS
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).


METHODS
University biomechanics laboratory.


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


METHODS
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.


METHODS
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.
Hertel
J
J
Department of Kinesiology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA. jnh3@psu.edu
Denegar
C R
CR
Buckley
W E
WE
Sharkey
N A
NA
Stokes
W L
WL
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005528:Foot / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D011187:Posture / Q000502:physiology*; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*