Orthotic control of rear foot and lower limb motion during running in participants with chronic Achilles tendon injury

Donoghue, O; Harrison, A; Laxton, P; Jones, RK

Abstract

This study examined the kinematic effects of orthoses in participants with a history of chronic Achilles
tendon injury. Twelve participants ran at self-selected speeds on a treadmill with and without
customized orthoses. Joint and segment angles including leg abduction, calcaneal, eversion, ankle
dorsiflexion, and knee flexion angles were calculated from three-dimensional data throughout stance.
Five footfalls were obtained for each participant and condition. Statistical tests revealed an increase in
maximum eversion with orthoses ðP , 0:001;h2
p ¼ 0:642Þ. In the individual participant analysis, this
was evident in 9 of 12 participants. Trends towards increased eversion range of motion and decreased
ankle dorsiflexion maximum and range of motion angles were also observed. Increased eversion was
unexpected as all devices were designed to provide pronation control as deemed necessary by the
podiatrist. Despite this, participants reported between 50 and 100% (average 92%) relief from
symptoms with the use of orthoses. Further analysis of the angle–time curves and coordination
between angular measures is recommended.

Citation

Donoghue, O., Harrison, A., Laxton, P., & Jones, R. (2008). Orthotic control of rear foot and lower limb motion during running in participants with chronic Achilles tendon injury. Sports Biomechanics, 7(2), 194-205. https://doi.org/10.1080/14763140701841407

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2008
• Deposit Date: May 8, 2012
• Journal: Sports Biomechanics
• Print ISSN: 1476-3141
• Publisher: Routledge
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 7
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 194-205
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14763140701841407
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/14763140701841407