Abstract
We aimed to compare the effects of different ankle supports used after ankle injury/surgery on temporo-spatial gait characteristics. We conducted a randomized cross-over study including adult participants with no previous lower limb or neurological pathology, who underwent gait analysis on an electronic walkway in three different ankle supports, Tubigrip®, a stirrup brace and a walker boot. The 18 participants were an average age of 42 (SD 13, range 24–62) years and 14 (88%) were female. Compared to Tubigrip®, gait in the walker boot was slower (−0.19m/s, 95%CI −0.23 to −0.16, P<0.001), step length asymmetry was 10% (95%CI 9–12, P<0.001) worse, single support time asymmetry was 5% (95%CI 3–7, P<0.001) worse and participants also adopted a wider step width (4.1cm, 95%CI 3.7–4.5, P<0.001). There were no important differences in gait between the Tubigrip® and stirrup brace. The findings of this study suggest that there is a limit to the degree of normal walking characteristics in a walker boot in the absence of lower limb impairment. Further research is required to directly compare the effects of these ankle supports in clinical populations.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
