Custom orthoses improve PTTD symptoms

April 9, 2005

From Biomechanics Magazine April 2005

By: R.

Patients with stage 1 and stage 2 posterior tibialis tendon

dysfunction (PTTD) had an increase in function and a reduction in

pain at rest and during activity when wearing custom foot orthoses,

according to research from the University of Southern California

presented at the Combined Sections Meeting of the American Physical

Therapy Association in New Orleans in late February.

Researchers led by M Weimer, a third year doctorate in

physical therapy student in the department of biokinesiology and

physical therapy at USC, tested 22 participants (seven men, 15 women)

with PTTD. Subjects were randomly assigned to a control group (custom

orthoses only), a concentric group (concentric exercises plus custom

orthoses), or an eccentric group (eccentric exercises plus custom

orthoses). All groups were followed for 10 weeks.

Scores on the Foot Functional Index (a self-reported measure of pain,

function, and activity level) were lower across the groups after the

intervention, with the greatest improvement seen in the eccentric

group. On the timed up and go (TUG) test, all groups showed

improvement after 10 weeks. On a visual analog scale used to assess

pain associated with the TUG test, the eccentric and concentric

groups reported a drop in pain while the control group reported an

increase in pain.

4/1/05, Issue # 1204, page 19.

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