The effects of custom-made foot orthosis using the Central Stabilizer Element on foot pain.

BACKGROUND: Foot orthoses have been applied for the management of lower limb disorders, mainly for those who develop foot pain. The Central Stabilizer Element (CSE) is a new element that contains the midfoot laterally when a plantar insole is manufactured.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect on foot pain of adding the Central Stabilizer Element during the manufacturing process of foot orthosis, and to describe the proportions of Central Stabilizer Element in terms of width and length of this element.

STUDY DESIGN: A clinical study.

METHODS: A sample comprising 130 patients (57 males and 73 females) with foot pain was recruited for this study, with the patients having supinated, neutral, pronated and overpronated feet. All the patients received a custom-made foot orthosis with the Central Stabilizer Element. The Central Stabilizer Element was made of resins of polyvinyl chloride, and is a device insert in foot orthosis that contains the midfoot laterally to control pronation and supination movements. Perceived patient's foot pain was collected using a Visual Analog Scale at baseline, 15, 60 and 90 days after treatment.

RESULTS: A statistically significant decrease was found after foot orthosis application at all times in all foot types. There was a statistically significant correlation between all the ratio proportions according to foot posture (Foot Posture Index scores), except for heel length proportion.

CONCLUSIONS: The Central Stabilizer Element, applied at midfoot level of a custom-made foot orthoses through a directly mould technique, can reduce foot pain, when a previous foot posture status is considered.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The Central Stabilizer Element can be of interest for those professionals who are involved in the manufacturing process of foot orthosis, throughout the control of an excesive pronated or a supinated foot condition that is provoking foot pain.