Efficacy of Different Types of Foot Orthoses on Postural Control in Subjects With Lateral Ankle Sprain: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Objectives: Lateral ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries to the musculoskeletal system, especially among active people. This injury causes complex complications, such as recurrent sprain because of reduced postural control. Foot orthoses are among the interventions used to improve postural control in this population. This review aims to investigate foot orthoses to improve postural control among patients with an acute or chronic lateral ankle sprain. Methods: Four electronic databases (Scopus, PubMed, Web of Sciences, and Google scholar) were searched for experimental studies. Articles were selected using the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method. The articles were reviewed for their quality based on the standards for reporting diagnostic accuracy statements and then entered into this review. Results: The search results in all databases provided a total of 48 articles. After reviewing the documents, we excluded 38 articles that did not pass the inclusion criteria, resulting in 10 remaining articles. Data extraction from population, interventions, and outcome measures was done for these 10 articles. Discussion: Foot orthoses are effective in improving the postural control of individuals with an acute or chronic lateral ankle sprain. Considering the existence of mechanical and functional instability, foot orthosis which is made to affect the proprioception and follow the biomechanics of the body seems to be the most effective in this field; however, more studies are required to confirm this Highlights • Foot orthoses improve postural control in subjects with an acute or chronic lateral ankle sprain. • Both types of foot orthoses aimed at affecting the sensorimotor system and reducing improper torques around the ankle joint are effective in improving postural control in subjects with lateral ankle sprain; however, the foot orthoses which is made with both purposes seem to provide the best results. Plain Language Summary Foot orthoses are small and inexpensive interventions to improve postural control in subjects with a lateral ankle sprain. We reviewed studies that used foot orthoses as an intervention for improving postural control in this population. It is important to investigate this because of the growing interest in professional sports, many people worldwide suffer from ankle sprains and subsequent chronic instability. This systematic review has found that custom-molded foot orthoses are made by impression, according to body-specific biomechanics and with a deep heel cup is more effective than prefabricated types in improving postural control in this population. A recent study developed a custom molded with textured surface foot orthosis to improve mechanical and functional instability and introduced it as the most effective foot orthosis in the field; however, further studies are required to substantiate this claim.