The biomechanical foot orthoses are often used to treat plantar heel pain that is caused by excessive pronation of the foot. Plantar heel pain can be brought on by many factors including poor running or walking technique, overuse injuries, and obesity. Athletes, individuals with a history of lower limb injuries, and those who are overweight often experience foot pain. Foot orthoses can be used to decrease these symptoms by altering the biomechanics of the foot during walking and running gait patterns. These custom-made insoles provide support for feet that need it most by lessening abnormal pronation or supination (rolling inward or outward) which is caused by an imbalance between muscles on each side of the body.
Biomechanical foot orthoses therapy can assist correct these biomechanical misalignments in the lower limb kinetic chain by using an orthotic device to treat Malalignment syndrome. The purpose of therapy is to restore the normal spine and pelvic structure and function; hence, the devices employed are meant to realign the body. By distributing weight-bearing contact across a wider portion of the sole, these orthotics may lessen torque forces on your legs. They also may improve foot stability by reducing rolling inwards or outwards when alignment has been established. Orthotics enhance sensory input from the sole surface, and proprioceptive receptor activation has been demonstrated to help manage discomfort. Less pain perception may also produce reflex muscle relaxation, which may aid in the decrease of muscular tension asymmetry (chronic tension myalgia induced by a condition of continual compensatory muscular contraction). Orthotic intervention is considered to affect lower extremity motion through a mix of mechanical control and biofeedback.
Researches and studies have been conducted to investigate the impact of foot orthoses or insoles on the biomechanics of lower extremity joints, although the bulk of them have concentrated on the biomechanics of the knee or ankle joints. Moreover, multiple electromyographic (EMG) studies with conventional and medial wedge foot orthoses have revealed that orthoses considerably affect the beginning and amplitude of low back and pelvic muscle activity. Patients with chronic low back pain who has used a large medial forefoot wedge in their foot orthoses were capable of changing their body posture while walking. The biomechanics of the proximal lower extremities, including the pelvis and lower back, has been demonstrated to be affected by the usage of foot orthoses. Still, there is little information on how effective biomechanical foot orthoses are for pelvic alignment in individuals with malalignment syndrome.
Biomechanical foot orthoses can be used to provide structural support and dynamic control of lower limb biomechanics during gait, reducing pain symptoms. it can also be made with posts that shift or swivel to regulate unnecessary movement in specific planes, such as limiting pronation of the subtalar joint. The use of biomechanical foot orthoses can help patients with plantar fasciitis to better walk or run. These braces are commonly prescribed for those who suffer from heel discomfort, which makes it difficult when you have trouble standing up due to your feet’ position inwards towards each other while walking on solid surfaces. It takes many different forms, however, they all work to correct an abnormal or irregular walking gait pattern. When you step, biomechanical foot orthoses reduce the amount of stress on your feet and legs. They provide a more comfortable walking experience by distributing pressure over a larger area than would otherwise be present without these devices, which means they should only be worn under the supervision of a physiotherapist.
By modifying impact pressures and kinematic factors, foot orthoses are employed to effectively treat a variety of pathologies linked to biomechanical dysfunction of the lower extremity. Patients are provided with orthosis inserts in order to enhance the alignment and mobility of their lower extremity joints. The biomechanical effects of these orthoses on malalignment syndrome, however, is not totally understood. Previous research has mostly concentrated on the impact of orthotic devices on foot anatomy rather than the pelvis or lower limbs, and the larger biological consequences of orthotics are yet unknown. In addition, new studies have called into question the reliability of clinical data as well as the validity of static measurements in predicting dynamic foot functional activity. This research study used three-dimensional gait analysis to investigate the effects of Biomechanical foot orthoses on malalignment syndrome. Patients with more complex pelvic imbalances may benefit from these devices while they walk since it can help them improve their symmetry and balance during everyday life activities such as standing up straight or getting out of bed when you are lying down improperly.
If you have gait pattern issues, biomechanical foot orthoses are an excellent addition to your physiotherapy treatment. We recommend that you consult with physiotherapist before beginning any new treatment program.