Objectives: Flexible Flat Foot (FFF), a common foot deformity decreasing medial longitudinal arch height is often comorbid with subtalar joint pronation causing physical activity difficulties in this population. Among the orthotic insoles prescribed for improving foot function, foot orthoses with medial heel skive technique have a limited research background. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of the custom-mold insole with medial heel skive technique on physical function in FFF.
Methods: Eighteen adults with FFF from the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences students and staff participated in this study. Custom-Mold insole with medial heel skive was fabricated for all research participants. Physical function in the activities of daily living and sports was assessed by the Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM), Activities of Daily Living (ADL) subscale (ADL-FAAM), and SPORT-FAAM questionnaires at the beginning of the study and 6 weeks after. Paired Samples t-test and nonparametric tests were used to compare the collected results.
Results: After 6 weeks of using the insole with medial heel skive technique, scores in both ADL and SPORTS activities were significantly improved.
Discussion: Foot function improvement was not found in all of the studies assessing foot function in flat feet after using different orthotic insoles, by different questionnaires or other systems. In this study, foot and ankle function was significantly improved per FAAM questionnaire- which had highly limited use in orthotic interventions in flat feet population- using medial heel skive technique; however, further studies are required to accentuate medial heel skive technique effect on flat feet function by comparing this technique with other positive cast modifications to control the flat foot. According to the present study results, custom-mold insole with medial heel skive may improve physical function in FFF and can be prescribed in this group.