The effects of ankle supports on gait in adults: A randomized cross-over study.
We aimed to compare the effects of different ankle supports used after ankle injury/surgery on temporo-spatial gait characteristics. We conducted a randomized cross-over study including adult participants with no previous lower limb or neurological pathology, who underwent gait analysis on an electronic walkway in three different ankle supports, Tubigrip(®), a stirrup brace and a walker boot. The 18 participants were an average age of 42 (SD 13, range 24-62) years and 14 (88%) were female. Compared to Tubigrip(®), gait in the walker boot was slower (-0.19 m/s, 95%CI -0.23 to -0.16, P < 0.001), step length asymmetry was 10% (95%CI 9-12, P < 0.001) worse, single support time asymmetry was 5% (95%CI 3-7, P < 0.001) worse and participants also adopted a wider step width (4.1 cm, 95%CI 3.7-4.5, P < 0.001). There were no important differences in gait between the Tubigrip(®) and stirrup brace. The findings of this study suggest that there is a limit to the degree of normal walking characteristics in a walker boot in the absence of lower limb impairment. Further research is required to directly compare the effects of these ankle supports in clinical populations.
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Kadoorie Centre for Critical Care Research and Education, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK. Electronic address: david.keene@ndorms.ox.ac.uk.
David J
DJ
Keene
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Kadoorie Centre for Critical Care Research and Education, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK.
Keith
K
Willett
Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology and Musculoskeletal Sciences, Kadoorie Centre for Critical Care Research and Education, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK; Warwick Clinical Trials Unit, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
Sarah E
SE
Lamb
D000328:Adult; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000628:therapy*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016138:Walking
Ankle; Ankle brace; Ankle support; Gait analysis; Physical therapy; Rehabilitation