Article

We investigated the effects of full-length carbon fiber (FCF) insoles
on gait, muscle activity, kinetics, and pain in patients with midfoot
osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN:
We enrolled 13 patients with unilateral midfoot OA
(mild: Visual Analog Scale [VAS] range, 1-3; moderate, VAS range, 4-7) and
healthy controls. All participants were asked to walk under two conditions: with
and without FCF insole. The outcome measures were ground reaction force,
quantitative gait parameters, electromyography activities and pain severity
(VAS). RESULTS: In the patients with moderate midfoot OA, significantly longer
gait cycle and higher muscle activity of lower limb during loading-response phase
were observed while walking without FCF insoles. In the mild midfoot OA group,
there was no significant difference in VAS score (without, 2.0 +/- 1.0 vs. with,
2.0 +/- 0.5) with FCF insole use. However, significantly reduced VAS score
(without, 5.5 +/- 1.4 vs. with, 2.0 +/- 0.5) and muscle activity of the tibialis
anterior and increased muscle activity of gastrocnemius were observed in the
moderate midfoot OA group by using an FCF insole (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS:
Full-length carbon fiber insoles can improve pain in individuals with moderate
midfoot OA, which might be associated with changes in the kinetics and muscle
activities of the lower limb. Taken together, the results of the present study
suggest that FCF insoles may be used as a helpful option for midfoot OA.

Langue : ANGLAIS