The combined effect of short foot exercises and orthosis in symptomatic flexible flatfoot: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Flatfoot is a musculoskeletal problem associated with dysfunctional active and passive supporting structures of the normal foot curvature. Strengthening of the intrinsic foot muscles or using shoe orthosis are recommend treatment approaches. However, investigating the effect of combining both approaches is still warranted.

AIM: To examine the effect of applying short foot exercises (SFE) combined with shoe insole versus shoe insole alone on foot pressure measures, pain, function and navicular drop in individuals with symptomatic flexible flatfoot.

DESIGN: Prospective, active control, parallel-group, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial and intention-to-treat analysis.

SETTING: Outpatient physical therapy clinic of a university teaching hospital.

POPULATION: Forty participants with symptomatic flexible flatfoot.

METHODS: A six-week treatment protocol of SFE (three sets of 10 repetitions a day) in addition to shoe insole (eight hours a day) (experimental group, N.=20) or shoe insole only (eight hours a day) (control group, N.=20). Clinic visits were made at baseline and every two weeks for monitoring and follow-up. The static and dynamic foot area, force and pressure measures, pain, lower extremity function, and navicular drop were assessed at baseline and postintervention.

RESULTS: Forty participants joined the study and 37 (92.5%) completed the six-week intervention period. Foot pressure, pain and function showed a significant interaction (P=0.02 - <0.001) and time (P<0.001) effects with a non-significant group effect in favor of the experimental group. Post-hoc analysis revealed that the experimental group had lesser pain (P=0.002) and better function (P=0.03) than the control group at six weeks. Navicular drop decreased equally in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of shoe insole and SFE for six weeks improved pain and function and altered foot pressure distribution greater than shoe insole alone in patients with symptomatic flatfoot.

CLINICAL REHABILITATION IMPACT: Wearing shoe insole is an easy, but passive, treatment approach for a flatfoot problem. This study provided evidence regarding the added benefit of SFE. It is recommended that rehabilitation practitioners implement a comprehensive treatment protocol including both shoe insole and SFE for at least six weeks to achieve better results for their flatfoot patients.