Article

A custom moulded ankle orthosis with hinged joints potentially offers
a better control over the subtalar joint and the ankle joint during lateral
cutting movements, due to total contact design and increase in material strength.
Objectives: To test the above hypothesis by comparing it to three other available
orthoses. Study Design: Repeated measures. Methods: Eight subjects with a history
of ankle sprains (Grade 2), and 11 subjects without such history performed
lateral cutting movements in four test conditions: 1) non-orthotic, 2)
custom-moulded ankle orthosis with hinges, 3) Sport-Stirrup, and 4) elastic ankle
sleeve with plastic support. A VICON motion analysis system was used to study the
motions at the ankle and subtalar joints. Results: The custom-moulded ankle
orthosis significantly lowered the inversion angle at initial contact (p = 0.006)
and the peak inversion angle (p = 0.000) during lateral cutting movements in
comparison to non-orthotic condition, while the other two orthoses did not. The
three orthoses did not affect the plantarflexion motions, which had been
suggested by previous studies to be important in shock wave attenuation.
Conclusions: The custom-moulded ankle orthosis with hinges could better control
inversion and thus expected to better prevent ankle sprain in lateral cutting
movements. Clinical relevance Custom-moulded ankle orthoses are not commonly used
in preventing ankle sprains. This study raises the awareness of the use of
custom-moulded ankle orthoses which are expected to better prevent ankle sprains.

Langue : ANGLAIS