Effects of a foot orthosis inspired by the concept of a twisted osteoligamentous plate on the kinematics of foot-ankle complex during walking: A proof of concept

Abstract

It has been suggested that the foot acts as a twisted osteoligamentous plate to control pronation and facilitate supination during walking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of an orthosis inspired by the concept of a foot’s twisted osteoligamentous plate on the kinematics of foot-ankle complex. Thirty-five subjects underwent a kinematic assessment of the foot-ankle complex during walking using three different orthoses: (1) Twisted Plate Spring (TPS) orthosis: inspired by the concept of a twisted osteoligamentous plate shape and made with a spring-like material (carbon fiber); (2) Flat orthosis: control orthosis made of a non-elastic material with a non-inclined surface; and (3) Rigid orthosis: control orthosis made of a non-elastic material, with the same shape of the TPS. Repeated measures analyses of variance demonstrated that the TPS reduced the duration and magnitude of rearfoot eversion (p ≤ 0.03), increased rearfoot inversion relative to shank (p < 0.01), increased forefoot eversion relative to rearfoot (p < 0.01), and increased peak of plantar flexion of forefoot relative to rearfoot during the propulsive phase (p = 0.01) compared to Flat orthosis. The effects of the TPS were different from the Rigid orthosis, demonstrating that, alongside shape, material properties were a determinant factor for the obtained results. The findings of this study help clarify the role of a mechanism similar to a twisted osteoligamentous plate on controlling foot pronation and facilitating supination during the stance phase of walking.