The effect of combined mechanism ankle support on postural control of patients with chronic ankle instability.
BACKGROUND
Chronic ankle instability is associated with neuromechanical changes and poor postural stability. Despite variety of mechanisms of foot and ankle orthoses, almost none apply comprehensive mechanisms to improve postural control in all subgroups of chronic ankle instability patients.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of an ankle support implementing combined mechanisms to improve postural control in chronic ankle instability patients.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
An ankle support with combined mechanism was designed based on most effective action mechanisms of foot and ankle orthoses. The effect of this orthosis on postural control was evaluated in 20 participants with chronic ankle instability and 20 matched healthy participants. The single-limb stance balance test was measured in both groups with and without the new orthosis using a force platform.


RESULTS
The results showed that application of combined mechanism ankle support significantly improved all postural sway parameters in chronic ankle instability patients. There were no differences in means of investigated parameters with and without the orthosis in the healthy group. No statistically significant differences were found in postural sway between chronic ankle instability patients and healthy participants after applying the combined mechanism ankle support.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined mechanism ankle support is effective in improving static postural control of chronic ankle instability patients to close to the postural sway of healthy individual. the orthosis had no adverse effects on balance performance of healthy individuals. Clinical relevance Application of the combined mechanism ankle support for patients with chronic ankle instability is effective in improving static balance. This may be helpful in reduction of recurrence of ankle sprain although further research about dynamic conditions is needed.
1 Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad
M
Hadadi
2 Department of Physical therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ismaeil
I
Ebrahimi
1 Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Ebrahim
ME
Mousavi
1 Department of Orthotics and Prosthetics, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Gholamreza
G
Aminian
3 Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ali
A
Esteki
4 Department of Statistics and Computer Sciences, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mehdi
M
Rahgozar
D000328:Adult; D000843:Ankle Joint; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D055815:Young Adult
Ankle orthosis; chronic ankle instability; postural control; static balance