Effects of textured insoles and elastic braces on dynamic stability in patients with functional ankle instability

Yunqi Tang; Xinyue Li; Yi Li; Peiyao Liang; Xinyu Guo; Cui Zhang; Pui Wah Kong

doi:10.1186/s13047-023-00662-8

Effects of textured insoles and elastic braces on dynamic stability in patients with functional ankle instability

J Foot Ankle Res. 2023 Sep 13;16(1):59. doi: 10.1186/s13047-023-00662-8.

Authors

Yunqi Tang¹, Xinyue Li¹, Yi Li², Peiyao Liang¹, Xinyu Guo¹, Cui Zhang^{3

4}, Pui Wah Kong⁵

Affiliations

¹ College of Art and Design, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi 'an, 710021, China.
² Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery, Honghui Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Xi 'an Jiaotong University, Xi 'an, 710054, China.
³ Sport biomechanics lab, Shandong Institute of Sports Science, Jinan, 250014, China.
⁴ Graduate School of Shandong Physical Education University, Jinan, 250014, China.
⁵ Physical Education and Sports Science Academic Group, National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 637616, Singapore. puiwah.kong@nie.edu.sg.

Abstract

Background: Functional ankle instability (FAI) is a common condition that affects individuals who have experienced previous ankle sprains. Textured insoles and elastic ankle braces have been previously used as interventions to improve stability in FAI patients. However, the optimal combination of these interventions has not been fully explored. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of different types of textured insoles and elastic ankle braces on the dynamic stability of individuals diagnosed with FAI.

Methods: The study involved 18 FAI patients who performed single-leg landing tasks with and without wearing an eight-band elastic ankle brace while wearing textured insoles with protrusion heights of 0 mm, 1 mm, and 2 mm. The dynamic posture stability index (DPSI) and its components in the anterior-posterior (APSI), mediolateral (MLSI) and vertical (VSI) directions were calculated from the ground reaction force collected from the Kistler force plate during the first three seconds of the landing tasks.

Results: A significant interaction was found between textured insole type and ankle brace for DPSI (P = 0.026), APSI (P = 0.001), and VSI (P = 0.021). However, no significant interaction was observed for MLSI (P = 0.555). With elastic ankle braces, textured insoles with 1-mm protrusions significantly enhanced anterior-posterior, mediolateral, vertical, and overall stability compared to textured insoles with no and 2 mm protrusions (P < 0.05). Without elastic ankle braces, textured insoles with 1-mm protrusions significantly improved the anterior-posterior (P = 0.012) and overall stability (P = 0.014) of FAI patients compared to smooth insoles.

Conclusions: The combination of textured insoles with 1-mm protrusion heights and an elastic ankle brace could enhance the dynamic stability of individuals with FAI, potentially mitigating the risk of ankle sprains.

Keywords: Ankle brace; Dynamic stability; Functional ankle instability; Injury; Rehabilitation; Textured insole.

MeSH terms

Ankle
Ankle Injuries* / prevention & control
Ankle Joint
Braces
Humans
Joint Instability* / prevention & control

Abstract

MeSH terms

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