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Effect of orthotics on rearfoot and tibia joint coupling patterns and variability

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to compare joint couplingpatterns and variability of the rearfoot and tibia during running subjects who were treated with two types of orthotic devices to that of controls.  Eleven subjects with various lower extremity injuries were treated unsuccessfully with a standard orthotic, and then successfully with an inverted orthotic. Three-dimensional kinematic data were collected while subjects ran without orthoses and then in standard and inverted orthoses.  Eleven healthy subjects ran without orthoses for comparison.  The rearfoot inversion/eversion and tibial internal/external rotation joint coupling pattern and variability relationship was assessed using a vector coding technique. It was hypothesized that when the treated runners ran without orthotic devices, they would exhibit lower joint coupling ang les and lower joint coupling variability compared to the controls.  In addition, it was hypothesized that there would be no difference in the coupling angle or coupling variability between the standard and no orthotic conditions of the treated runners.  Finally, it was hypothesized that couplingang angle would decrease and variability would increase in the inverted versus the standard and non-orthotic conditions.  No significant differences in joint coupling patternor variability were observed between the treated and control subjects. In addition, no significant differences were noted between theorthotic conditions in the treated group. These results suggest that foot orthotic devices do not produce significant changes inrearfoot–tibial coupling. Therefore, the relief experienced with the inverted orthotic is likely due to factors other than alterations in this coupling.

 

 

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