The Effect of Orthotics on the Gait Patterns of Patients with Malalignment Syndrome

by MASS4D® Prescription Orthotics November 02, 2016

Kim et al. sought to investigate the biomechanical effects of orthotics on the gait patterns of patients with malalignment syndrome.

For this purpose, ten individuals (two males and eight females) with the condition were recruited.

One of the main criteria for selection was pelvic rotational malalignment with or without low back pain, with prominent posterior rotation on one side while walking on the spot.

Participants were made to walk under three conditions: barefoot, with a flat insole in shoes and with a biomechanical foot orthosis (BFO) in shoes.

Three-dimensional gait analysis was conducted using the 12-camera VICON motion analysis system.

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According to the spatiotemporal data collected, step and stride lengths in shoes and BFO were observed to be significantly longer than when barefoot.

Walking speed of BFO was also significantly faster than walking barefoot or in shoes with flat insoles.

Peak pelvic tilt and obliquity angle were concluded to be significantly higher for BFO than for barefoot, along with peak hip flexion/extension angle, peak knee flexion/extension and rotation angles being greater when wearing BFO and flat insoles in shoes.

The study was able to establish the immediate influence of BFO on malalignment syndrome with regard to changes in pelvic asymmetry.

Shoes and BFO decreased pelvic-tilt sidedness, with a significant reduction in pelvic rotation angle asymmetry found in the BFO condition.

Hence, it was concluded that BFOs can be used to correct pelvic asymmetry while walking.

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References:

1. Soo-Hyun Kim, Sang-Ho Ahn, Gil-Su Jung, Jin-Hyun Kim and Yun-Woo Cho (2016) The effects of biomechanical foot orthoses on the gait patterns of patients with malalignment syndrome as determined by three dimensional gait analysis. Journal of Physical Therapy Science: April 2016, Vol. 28, No. 4

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