[Evaluation of physiological properties of ankle braces based on a review of the literature].
BACKGROUND
The objective of this work was to proceed to a review of the literature to assess the physiological basis of the ankle brace use.


METHODS
An analysis of the international literature relating to the years 1980-2002 was carried out by questioning the Medline data bank.


RESULTS
Three hundred and twenty-two articles were collected and 25 physiological studies were retained. Various changes can occur during brace use, first of all stability parameters and proprioceptive sense. Main changes affect position sense, stiffness, mobility and stability of ankle when standing.


CONCLUSIONS
This review of the literature allows to specify the mechanisms involved by brace use in ankle stability. Some studies allow to compare the principal devices used to stabilize the ankle (taping, semi rigid braces) but, no physiological study was able to discriminate between different orthosis models.


CONCLUSIONS
Many studies have been conducted in the field of the physiological evaluation of ankle orthosis. When these devices are widely used in current medical practice, physiological studies do not allow to characterize a better device with a specific test. These data point out the methodological difficulties in ankle brace evaluation.
Thoumie
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P
Service de rééducation neuro-orthopédique, hôpital Rothschild, 33, boulevard de Picpus, 75012 Paris, France. philippe.thoumie@rth.ap-hop-paris.fr
Sautreuil
P
P
Faucher
M
M
D000843:Ankle Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D001915:Braces; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control