Article

Chronic ankle instability is associated with neuromechanical changes
and poor postural stability. Despite variety of mechanisms of foot and ankle
orthoses, almost none apply comprehensive mechanisms to improve postural control
in all subgroups of chronic ankle instability patients.
OBJECTIVES: The purpose
of this study was to investigate the effect of an ankle support implementing
combined mechanisms to improve postural control in chronic ankle instability
patients. STUDY DESIGN:
Cross-sectional study. METHODS:
An ankle support with
combined mechanism was designed based on most effective action mechanisms of foot
and ankle orthoses. The effect of this orthosis on postural control was evaluated
in 20 participants with chronic ankle instability and 20 matched healthy
participants. The single-limb stance balance test was measured in both groups
with and without the new orthosis using a force platform.
RESULTS: The results
showed that application of combined mechanism ankle support significantly
improved all postural sway parameters in chronic ankle instability patients.
There were no differences in means of investigated parameters with and without
the orthosis in the healthy group. No statistically significant differences were
found in postural sway between chronic ankle instability patients and healthy
participants after applying the combined mechanism ankle support. CONCLUSION: The
combined mechanism ankle support is effective in improving static postural
control of chronic ankle instability patients to close to the postural sway of
healthy individual. the orthosis had no adverse effects on balance performance of
healthy individuals. Clinical relevance Application of the combined mechanism
ankle support for patients with chronic ankle instability is effective in
improving static balance. This may be helpful in reduction of recurrence of ankle
sprain although further research about dynamic conditions is needed.

Langue : ANGLAIS