title: Comparative biomechanical effectiveness of over-the-counter devices for individuals with a flexible flatfoot secondary to forefoot varus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate effects of a new off-the-shelf insert on frontal plane foot biomechanics and compare effectiveness of the new and an existing off-the-shelf insert and a motion-control shoe in neutralizing frontal plane foot biomechanics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive.
  
  
  METHODS
  Biomechanics laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen uninjured subjects with a flexible flatfoot secondary to forefoot varus.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-dimensional kinematic and kinetic data were collected as subjects walked and jogged at their self-selected speed while wearing a motion-control running shoe, the shoe with a new off-the-shelf insert, and the shoe with an existing off-the-shelf insert.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frontal plane kinematics and rearfoot kinetics were evaluated during stance. Statistical analysis was performed using a repeated measures analysis of variance and Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc tests (α ≤ 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The new insert and motion-control shoe placed the forefoot in a less-everted position than the existing off-the-shelf insert during walking. There were no differences in forefoot kinematics during jogging, nor were there differences in rearfoot motion during walking or jogging. The rearfoot eversion moment was significantly lower with the new off-the-shelf insert compared with the motion-control shoe and the existing insert during walking and jogging.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A new off-the-shelf device is available that promotes more neutral frontal plane biomechanics, thus providing a theoretical rationale for using this device for injury prevention and treatment. The comparative biomechanical effectiveness of a motion-control shoe and the orthotic inserts may assist health care professionals in selecting a device to correct the flatfoot structure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Motion Analysis Laboratory, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
authors.forename: Wendy J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Hurd
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kavros
authors.forename: Kenton R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Kaufman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005413:Flatfoot / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D050488:Hallux Varus / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D012775:Shoes; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult