title: Effectiveness of the cavus foot orthosis.
abstract: This study investigated the use of a custom cavus foot orthosis (CFO) in the treatment of ankle instability and pain associated with the subtle cavus foot, a common pathological foot alignment in the United States population. Patients referred by a single orthopedic foot and ankle surgeon to a single pedorthotist for a CFO over a 2-year period were eligible. Pain score pre-and postorthosis and number of instability events pre- and postorthosis were retrospectively evaluated. Ninety-three of 174 eligible patients participated. Average age was 48 years (range, 20-75) and patients suffered a variety of foot pathologies. Average pre-CFO pain score was 7.22 (0 no pain, 10 worst pain). Post-CFO pain score average was 2.41 (p < .0005). Ninety-two percent of patients reporting ankle instability as a problem experienced a decrease in the frequency of instability events post-CFO. The custom cavus foot orthosis is effective at relieving pain and reducing ankle instability in the patient with the subtle cavus foot alignment.
authors.affiliation: University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: LoPiccolo
authors.forename: Margaret
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chilvers
authors.forename: Brain
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D005531:Foot Deformities, Acquired / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices