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Changes in Foot Function with the Use of Root and Blake Orthoses

^* Lecturer, School of Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland 4059, Australia.

Abstract

This study examined the effects of two designs of rigid foot orthoses on plantar pressure measurements and identified differences between the devices. While wearing modified Root- and Blake-style orthoses, 27 subjects were examined with the Electrodynogram (EDG) in-shoe pressure measurement system. Reliability testing was performed on the EDG data. Significant changes were observed in the temporal parameters of gait when subjects wore the orthoses. When the devices were used, the duration of some of the components of stance phase was altered, and the initiation of loading beneath the medial forefoot was delayed. A reduction in the total duration of loading at discrete sites beneath the heel and forefoot was also observed. The effects of the two orthoses were similar, with only small differences observed between the devices. (J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 91(4): 184-193, 2001)