Therapeutic Effects of Elastic Bandage on the Plantar Arch of Young Women with Flat Feet

Abstract

Abstract The proper biomechanics of the foot, along with the flexibility of the plantar arches, are responsible for the symmetric distribution of plantar pressure. Thus, a lowering of the medial longitudinal arch can generate musculoskeletal disorders that go beyond the lower limbs. Physiotherapy, as therapeutic conduct, offers bandages, which can promote muscle activation, improving the functionality. The objective of this study was verifying the effect of elastic bandage Therapy (AEST) on the tibialis anterior, at the plantar arch, in young women with flat feet. 5 volunteers participated with flat feet, aged between 18 and 30 years, with no previous history of lesion in the lower limbs. The amplitudes of motion (ADM) active of inversion and dorsiflexion were measured by goniometry. Whereas the plantar printing, was assessed using a Foot Printing mat, to determine the type of foot printing mat, and a baropodometer, to check the Plantar Arch Index (IPA) and the pressure in the mid-foot, before and after the intervention. As therapeutics, the application of BET in the form of I in the anterior tibialis muscle was adopted. BET did not significantly reduce the IAP, which evolved from 0.344 + 0.03 to 0.3378+ 0.03. However, increased the ADMs of dorsiflexion from 16.8 + 3.0 degrees to 20.8 + 2.2, and inversion from 40.4 + 5.3 to 46 + 3.7, in addition to having reduced the pressure in the mid-foot area. BET was not effective to raise the ALM significantly. However, the increase of ADMs and the reduction of the mid-foot pressure suggest a muscle activation. Keywords: Athletic Tape. Flatfoot. Pliability. Resumo A adequada biomecânica do pe, juntamente com a flexibilidade dos arcos plantares, e responsavel pela distribuicao simetrica da pressao plantar. Assim, um rebaixamento do arco longitudinal medial pode gerar disturbios musculoesqueleticos que vao alem de membros inferiores. A Fisioterapia, como conduta terapeutica, dispoe de bandagens, as quais podem promover ativacao muscular, melhorando a funcionalidade. O objetivo desse estydi foi verificar o efeito da Bandagem Elastica Terapeutica (BET) sobre o tibial anterior, no arco plantar, de mulheres jovens com pes planos. Participaram 5 voluntarias com pes planos, idade entre 18 e 30 anos, sem historia previa de lesao em MMII. As amplitudes de movimento (ADM) ativas de inversao e dorsiflexao foram mensuradas atraves da goniometria. Ja a impressao plantar, foi avaliada utilizando-se de um Plantigrafo, para determinar o tipo de pe, e de um baropodometro, para verificar o Indice do Arco Plantar (IAP) e a pressao no mediope, antes e apos a intervencao. Como terapeutica, adotou-se a aplicacao de BET em forma de I no musculo tibial anterior. A BET nao reduziu significativamente o IAP, que evoluiu de 0.344 + 0.03 para 0.3378+ 0.03. Entretanto, aumentou as ADMs de dorsiflexao de 16,8 + 3,0 graus para 20,8 + 2,2, e de inversao de 40,4 + 5,3 para 46 + 3,7, alem de ter reduzido a pressao na area do mediope. A BET nao foi eficaz para elevar o ALM de forma significativa. Todavia, o aumento das ADMs e a reducao da pressao do mediope sugerem uma ativacao muscular. Palavras-chave: Fita Atletica. Pe Chato. Maleabilidade.