Orthoses: Basic science, myths and future direction

Abstract

The mechanisms by which orthoses work has been poorly understood despite the widespread use of orthoses in the physiotherapy and podiatry professions. This lack of clarity has been largely fuelled by methodological flaws in the literature, namely, approaching orthoses in a comparative manner to itself and/or other interventions. Future research would be best served by returning to physics first principles. The ‘kinetic dose’ concept is an approach worthy of further exploration.