Immediate effects of silicone insoles on gait pattern in patients with flexible flatfoot.
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.
Kulcu
Duygu Geler
DG
Yeditepe University Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ankara Cad Devlet Yolu No 102/104, Istanbul, Turkey. d_geler@yahoo.com.tr
Yavuzer
Gunes
G
Sarmer
Sercan
S
Ergin
Sureyya
S
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005413:Flatfoot / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D012828:Silicones; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D012828:Silicones