title: Immediate effects of silicone insoles on gait pattern in patients with flexible flatfoot.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Flatfoot in which a normal arch fails to develop is a common deformity in both children and adults. A frequently-used treatment is an over-the-counter insole to normalize foot mechanics and relieve pain. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of over-the-counter silicone insoles on the gait patterns of patients with flexible flatfoot.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-four adults (24 women and nine men, average age 43.7 +/- 9.7 years) with bilateral symptomatic flatfoot deformities were included in the study. Flatfoot was diagnosed by a lateral talometatarsal angle of more than 4 degrees and a talocalcaneal angle of more than 30 degrees. Three-dimensional gait analysis and video recordings were done at a single session. All patients walked at self-selected speeds over a 10-meter walkway with and without insoles. Time-distance parameters and kinematic and kinetic characteristics of gait in the sagittal plane were evaluated by a quantitative gait analysis system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean lateral talometatarsal and talocalcaneal angles were 6.3 +/- 2.5 degrees and 56.1 +/- 8.6 degrees, respectively. There was no difference in gait parameters with or without the insoles.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Over-the-counter insoles have no beneficial effect in normalizing forces acting on the foot and on the entire lower extremity in adults with flexible flatfoot.
authors.affiliation: Yeditepe University Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara Cad Devlet Yolu No 102/104, Istanbul, Turkey. d_geler@yahoo.com.tr
authors.forename: Duygu Geler
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Kulcu
authors.forename: Gunes
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yavuzer
authors.forename: Sercan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sarmer
authors.forename: Sureyya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ergin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005413:Flatfoot / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D012828:Silicones; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D012828:Silicones