Use of antipronation taping to determine foot orthoses prescription: a case series

Acute effects of athletic taping on arch deformity and plantar pressure in young female adults with flexible flatfoot

OBJECTIVE

This work aimed to explore the acute effects of athletic taping techniques on foot arch deformity and plantar pressure in young female adults with flexible flatfoot (FFT).

METHODS

Twenty young female adults with FFT were recruited in the current study. Each participant was randomly divided into two taping groups, namely, augmented low-dye (ALD) and modified low-dye (MLD). The foot arch deformity and plantar pressure were measured at baseline, after taping and after 20 min of walking. The foot arch deformity was determined based on navicular drop distance (NDD) and resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP).

RESULTS

Compared with baseline, the NDD values were significantly lower after taping. After 20 min of walking, ALD taping resulted in a lower NDD value than MLD (p < 0.001). ALD maintained a higher RCSP than baseline after 20 min of walking (p = 0.004). Furthermore, compared with baseline, medial midfoot force-time integration (p = 0.013) and contact area (p = 0.022) increased after taping with MLD, and peak pressure in the medial midfoot increased after walking for 20 min with MLD (p = 0.026). Peak pressure in the second to fifth toes significantly decreased after 20 min of walking with ALD compared with that after taping immediately (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

ALD and MLD taping could improve FFT arch deformity and plantar pressure distribution, prospectively changing peak pressure of the second to fifth toe area and medial midfoot after 20 min of walking, integrated contact area and force-time integration medial midfoot during walking in young female adults. Furthermore, ALD taping could improve FFT deformity more than using MLD after 20 min of walking. Thus, when treating FFT in young female adults, ALD taping should be considered adaptively to guide arch support production and correct midfoot pronation.

Effects of rigid and kinesio taping on plantar pressure distribution in patients with Lisfranc fracture sequelae

BACKGROUND

Patients with Lisfranc fractures may regain functional status after anatomical fixation, but they may experience sequelae such as flatfoot deformity and pain associated with foot pressure distribution during weight-bearing.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the impact of Lisfranc fracture sequelae on both the injured and uninjured sides, and how does the antipronation taping affect plantar pressure distribution parameters?

METHODS

Twenty-six patients who underwent anatomical fixation for Lisfranc fracture, displaying pronation on the injured side based on the Foot Posture Index-6 test, as well as 15 healthy subjects, participated in this study. Plantar pressure distribution measurements were conducted during barefoot walking for the healthy subjects. In the patient group, measurements were taken under two antipronation taping conditions (kinesio and rigid taping), as well as during barefoot walking.

RESULTS

Participants who received anatomical fixation after Lisfranc fracture exhibited significant alterations in plantar pressure distribution parameters on both the injured and uninjured sides, as compared to the control group. After the application of Kinesio Taping to the injured side, there was no significant change observed in the plantar pressure distribution values (p > 0.05). The analysis of the rigid taping on the injured side revealed statistically worse values in peak pressure of the hindfoot (p = 0.027) and maximum force of the midfoot and toes (p = 0.005 and p = 0.013, respectively) compared to the injured barefoot condition.

SIGNIFICANCE

Lisfranc fracture sequelae affected plantar pressure distribution on both injured and uninjured sides. Anti-pronation taping (kinesio and rigit), commonly used for foot conditions, did not lead to foot pressure distribution becoming more similar to that of the control group.

Effects of Low-Dye Tape on Arch Height and Its Impact on the Medial Gastrocnemius Electromyographic Activity in Structurally Differentiable Foot Types: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Low-Dye tape (LDT) is a short-term treatment for plantar fasciitis, where external stabilization by means of the tape improves kinetics, kinematics, pain level, and electromyography (EMG).

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare the EMG of the medial gastrocnemius (MG) and changes in arch height (AH) based on the type of foot.

METHODS

A total of 30 subjects participated in this study; they walked on a treadmill barefoot and when taped, where the average activity and changes in AH were measured over a 30 s period. The statistical intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to test for reliability was calculated, and the Wilcoxon test was determined for measures of EMG and AH.

RESULTS

The reliability of the values of EMG was almost perfect. The data show that there was an increase in height in the comparison of the moment pre-baseline walking and post-taped walking on neutral feet (5.61 ± 0.46 vs. 5.77 ± 0.39 cm, p < 0.05), on pronated feet (5.67 ± 0.57 vs. 6.01 ± 0.53 cm, p < 0.001) and on supinated feet (5.97 ± 0.36 vs. 6.28 ± 0.27 cm, p < 0.05). In the MG, EMG activity decreased significantly in the taped condition compared to the baseline condition in neutral subjects (0.0081 ± 0.016 vs. 0.076 ± 0.016 mV, p < 0.05) and in pronated subjects (0.081 ± 0.022 vs. 0.068 ± 0.025 mV, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

It was demonstrated that with the use of LDT, there was an improvement in the average activity in the MG in pronated and neutral feet. All foot types improved in arch height with the use of tape.

Predicting the outcome of plantar heel pain in adults: a systematic review of prognostic factors

BACKGROUND

Plantar Heel Pain (PHP) is a common disorder with many treatment pathways and is not self-limiting, hence prognostic information concerning recovery or recalcitrance is needed to guide practice. In this systematic review, we investigate which prognostic factors are associated with favourable or unfavourable PHP outcomes.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Web of Science, EMBASE, Scopus and PubMed electronic bibliographic databases were searched for studies evaluating baseline patient characteristics associated with outcomes in prospective longitudinal cohorts or after specific interventions. Cohort, clinical prediction rule derivation and single arms of randomised controlled trials were included. Risk of bias was evaluated with method-specific tools and evidence certainty with GRADE.

RESULTS

The review included five studies which evaluated 98 variables in 811 participants. Prognostic factors could be categorised as demographics, pain, physical and activity-related. Three factors including sex and bilateral symptoms (HR: 0.49[0.30-0.80], 0.33[0.15-0.72], respectively) were associated with a poor outcome in a single cohort study. The remaining four studies reported twenty factors associated with a favourable outcome following shockwave therapy, anti-pronation taping and orthoses. Heel spur (AUC = 0.88[0.82-0.93]), ankle plantar-flexor strength (Likelihood ratio (LR): 2.17[1.20-3.95]) and response to taping (LR = 2.17[1.19-3.90]) were the strongest factors predicting medium-term improvement. Overall, the study quality was low. A gap map analysis revealed an absence of research that included psychosocial factors.

CONCLUSIONS

A limited number of biomedical factors predict favourable or unfavourable PHP outcomes. High quality, adequately powered, prospective studies are required to better understand PHP recovery and should evaluate the prognostic value of a wide range of variables, including psychosocial factors.

Effects of taping techniques on arch deformation in adults with pes planus: A meta-analysis

Objective

To investigate effects of taping techniques on arch deformation in adults with pes planus.

Methods

The following databases were searched up to March 2020, including Web of Science, Pubmed, EBSCO, CNKI and Cochrane Library. Heterogeneity and publication bias were assessed by I² index and funnel plots, respectively. In addition, Cochrane scale was used to evaluate the quality of research.

Results

Navicular height for three antipronation taping techniques significantly increased immediately post tape compared with baseline (mean difference = 4.86 mm, 95% CI = 2.86–6.87 mm, Z = 4.75, p < 0.001). The highest increase was observed in Augmented low-Dye (ALD). Modified low-Dye (MLD) was second only to ALD (p<0.001). Navicular height after walking for 10 min was much higher than baseline (p<0.001), with MLD decreased smaller than ALD.

Conclusions

ALD was the most effective taping technique for controlling foot arch collapse immediately post tape compared with baseline, followed by MLD. By contrast, MLD could possibly performed better than ALD in maintaining immediate navicular height after walking for 10 min. Low-Dye could make resting calcaneal stance position closer to neutral position. Although positive effects of Navicular sling, low-Dye and Double X taping interventions were observed, they could not maintain this immediate navicular height effect after a period of higher intensity weight-bearing exercise.

Can short-term effectiveness of anti-pronation taping predict the long-term outcomes of customized foot orthoses: developing predictors to identify characteristics of patients with plantar heel pain likely to benefit from customized foot orthoses

BACKGROUND

Foot orthoses are widely used to manage plantar heel pain (PHP). However, the evidence concerning the effect of foot orthoses on PHP is not conclusive. The study aims to identify the characteristics of patients with PHP likely to achieve a positive outcome after customized foot orthoses and to verify the concept that patients who respond positively to anti-pronation taping would achieve a positive prognosis after wearing foot orthoses for six months.

METHODS

This is a prospective observational cohort study. Seventy-four patients with PHP underwent a baseline examination and received anti-pronation taping to their painful feet. The taping effects on pain and function were assessed at the 7-day follow-up visit. Then, all patients received an intervention for their PHP with customized foot orthoses for six months. Outcome was assessed with a numeric pain rating scale, the patient-specific functional scale, the foot function index, and the global rating of perceived change. Significant reduction of pain, increase of function, and perception of a meaningful improvement were considered a positive response.

RESULTS

Of 74 patients, 49 had a positive response to the customized foot orthosis treatment. Five predictors were identified: (1) the average pain intensity decreased by over 1.5 points with taping, (2) the range of ankle plantarflexion > 54 degrees, (3) the strength of ankle plantarflexors on the symptomatic side was equal to or stronger than that on the other side, (4) the range of hip internal rotation < 39 degrees, and (5) the range of hip external rotation > 45 degrees. The presence of three or more predictors increased the rate of achieving positive outcome from 66 to 89%.

CONCLUSIONS

The predictors of customized foot orthosis outcome in patients with PHP are related to several physical measures of a lower extremity. Findings of the study can be used to screen and select patients with PHP for foot orthosis intervention. Moreover, patients who respond positively to anti-pronation taping would also benefit from the customized foot orthoses. However, since there was no control group in the current study, it is inappropriate to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the foot orthoses treatment.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The trial was retrospectively registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN 12617000119392 ).

Use of a temporary supramalleolar orthosis to manage foot pain in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis: A case report

BACKGROUND

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and functional disability. Approximately 90% of patients will report symptoms in the foot or ankle during the course of their disease.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A case of a 40-year-old woman with a 12-year history of rheumatoid arthritis referred to outpatient physical therapy with a chief complaint of pain in the lateral rearfoot and forefoot is presented. At the time of the initial examination, the patient reported persistent pain ranging from 3 to 9/10, aggravated when standing and walking during activities of daily living. Treatment consisted of the fabrication of a supramalleolar orthosis that incorporated an in-shoe foot orthosis to address functional limitations and abnormal foot and ankle posture. A home exercise program was prescribed to address potential balance deficits and strength loss following the application of the orthosis.

OUTCOMES

Clinically significant improvements were seen in pain, gait speed, and on the Foot Function Index following the implementation of the orthotic device. The patient returned to standing and walking with minimal symptom limitations.

DISCUSSION

This case report highlights the short-term clinical outcomes when using a supramalleolar orthosis in conjunction with an in-shoe foot orthosis to manage lateral rearfoot and forefoot pain in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.

Heel pain-plantar fasciitis: revision 2014

The Orthopaedic Section of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has an ongoing effort to create evidence-based practice guidelines for orthopaedic physical therapy management of patients with musculoskeletal impairments described in the World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF). The purpose of these revised clinical practice guidelines is to review recent peer-reviewed literature and make recommendations related to nonarthritic heel pain.

A comparison of augmented low-Dye taping and ankle bracing on lower limb muscle activity during walking in adults with flat-arched foot posture

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effect of taping and bracing on lower limb muscle activity during gait.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional laboratory study.

METHODS

Twenty-seven asymptomatic adults with flat-arched foot posture were recruited to this study. They walked over-ground under three randomly allocated conditions: (i) barefoot; (ii) augmented low-Dye taping; (iii) replaceable ankle brace. Electromyographic (EMG) activity from tibialis posterior, tibialis anterior, peroneus longus and medial gastrocnemius was measured for each condition. Peak EMG amplitude and time of peak EMG amplitude were assessed from stance phase data. A series of one-way repeated measure analysis of variance followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests were undertaken (α=0.05).

RESULTS

Tibialis posterior peak EMG amplitude decreased by 22% and 33% with bracing and taping (respectively), compared to barefoot. Peak amplitude was also decreased for peroneus longus by 34% and 30% and for tibialis anterior by 19% and 13% with bracing and taping (respectively), compared to barefoot. Small significant changes in time of peak EMG amplitude were found for tibialis posterior and tibialis anterior with taping and bracing compared to barefoot. The effect of taping and bracing was only different for tibialis posterior peak EMG amplitude, with tape producing a 15% reduction compared to bracing.

CONCLUSION

The augmented low-Dye tape and replaceable ankle brace used in this study could be useful in managing overuse and dysfunction of selected leg muscles, particularly tibialis posterior, by reducing their level of activation during walking.

Continual use of augmented low-Dye taping increases arch height in standing but does not influence neuromotor control of gait

This study investigated the effect of continual use of augmented low-Dye (ALD) taping on neuromotor control of the lower limb during gait, as well as foot posture and mobility. Twenty-eight females were randomly allocated to wear ALD tape continuously or a no-tape control for a mean 12 + or - 2 days. Electromyographic activity from 12 lower limb muscles, three-dimensional motion at the ankle, knee, hip and pelvis (i.e., measures of neuromotor control) and foot posture and mobility was measured before and after the tape or control interventions. For the tape group, arch height ratio (=arch height/distance from heel to first metatarsophalangeal joint line) was greater by 0.006 (95% confidence interval: 0.0002-0.01, p = 0.04) following the intervention period, whereas no change was observed for the control group (-0.003 (-0.01-0.004), p = 0.36). The difference between groups (0.009 (0.0004-0.02), p = 0.04) equated to a 0.16 cm increase in arch height for the tape group following continual use of ALD tape. There was no change in neuromotor control of gait following continual use of ALD taping (p > 0.05). Continual use of ALD tape for approximately 12 days produced a small change in foot posture, but no alteration in neuromotor control. Previous literature suggests that this increase in arch height is likely to be clinically relevant and may be one factor that contributes to the known efficiency of ALD tape in the treatment of lower extremity pain and injury.