Effect of UCBL and Medial Longitudinal Arch Support in Balance and Functional Performance in Bilateral Flexible Flat Feet in Patients Aged Between 16 And 20 Years

Abstract

Purpose: Moulded foot orthoses have been shown to be successful in treating such injuries and reducing the symptoms by realigning the foot anatomy, controlling excessive pronation and reducing internal tibial rotation. Numerous prophylactics or therapeutic devices, such as motion control shoe, orthoses, orthotic devices, inserts and others, have emerged to limit the pronation range during running. In evaluating the effect of these devices to control pronation during running, orthopaedics and biomechanics researchers often investigate the rearfoot kinematics, or to be specific, the calcaneal motion in respect to the talus bone. Previous researches showed that the effects are still unclear however some orthotic inserts are useful in relieving heel and plantar fasciitis pain. The purpose of this study is to identify among UCBL and Medial Arch Support which is a better prescription option for Pes planus. Materials and Method: An incidental simple randomised sample of 30 participants (30 Bilateral Flexible Flat Feet) were recruited for the study with age range from 16 to 20 years. There were 21 male and 9 female patients in the study. There was no drop out during the study. Participants were allocated to two groups by random allocation based on the fitment of UCBL and arch support (UCBL prescribed for Group A and Medial arch support prescribed for Group B). Pre and post interventional tests- balance and functional parameters was taken before the fitment of orthosis and after four-week of usage of the prescribed orthotic treatment and the said pre and post interventional data was analysed for statistical significance. Result: One-way ANOVA test shows a significant difference between groups at p<0.000. Posttest between the parameters (Berg balance and TUG) shows that UCBL has a high statistical significance than medial arch support in improving balance and functional parameters at p<0.000 at t value -6.942. Conclusion: A comparison of balance and functional parameter results in the tested orthoses indicated that the UCBL orthosis significantly increased the stability of people with flexible flatfoot, and it has improved balance and functional parameters in total among those with flatfeet. It seems that creating mobility in the midfoot area of the foot orthosis may cause a balance disturbance in patients with flatfoot. It is recommended that other balance parameters such as sway of the center of pressure and the long-term effects of orthoses may also be investigated.