Evidence for orthotic treatment of the ankle

Meta-analyses

Lavigne, A., Chicoine, D., Esculier, J.F., Desmeules, F., Frémont, P. and Dubois, B., 2023. The Role of Footwear, Foot Orthosis, and Training-Related Strategies in the Prevention of Bone Stress Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Exercise Science, 16(3), p.721.
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Systematic Reviews

Frecklington, M., Dalbeth, N., McNair, P., Gow, P., Williams, A., Carroll, M. and Rome, K., 2017, November. Footwear interventions for foot pain, function, impairment and disability for people with foot and ankle arthritis: A literature review. In Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism. WB Saunders.
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Hutchins, S., Bowker, P., Geary, N. and Richards, J., 2009. The biomechanics and clinical efficacy of footwear adapted with rocker profiles—evidence in the literature. The Foot, 19(3), pp.165-170.
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Interventional Studies

van der Zwaard, B.C., Poppe, E., Vanwanseele, B., van der Horst, H.E. and Elders, P.J., 2014. Development and evaluation of a leaflet containing shoe advice: a randomized controlled trial. Family practice, 31(3), pp.267-272.
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Observational Studies

Jones, D.A., Moed, B.R. and Karges, D.E., 2016. Does Modified Footwear Improve Gait After Ankle Arthrodesis?. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 55(1), pp.5-8.
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Lobet, S., Detrembleur, C., LANTIN, A.C., Haenecour, L. and Hermans, C., 2012. Functional impact of custom‐made foot orthoses in patients with haemophilic ankle arthropathy. Haemophilia, 18(3), pp.e227-e235.
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McLaughlin, P., Chowdary, P., Woledge, R., McCarthy, A. and Mayagoitia, R., 2013. The effect of neutral-cushioned running shoes on the intra-articular force in the haemophilic ankle. Clinical Biomechanics, 28(6), pp.672-678.
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Mündermann, A., Nigg, B.M., Stefanyshyn, D.J. and Humble, R.N., 2002. Development of a reliable method to assess footwear comfort during running. Gait & posture, 16(1), pp.38-45.
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Terrier, P., Luthi, F. and Dériaz, O., 2013. Do orthopaedic shoes improve local dynamic stability of gait? An observational study in patients with chronic foot and ankle injuries. BMC musculoskeletal disorders, 14(1), p.94.
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Meta-analyses

Lavigne, A., Chicoine, D., Esculier, J.F., Desmeules, F., Frémont, P. and Dubois, B., 2023. The Role of Footwear, Foot Orthosis, and Training-Related Strategies in the Prevention of Bone Stress Injuries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Exercise Science, 16(3), p.721.
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Systematic Reviews

Del Duchetto, F., Dussault-Picard, C., Gagnon, M., Dixon, P. and Cherni, Y., 2024. Can Foot Orthoses Benefit Symptomatic Runners? Mechanistic and Clinical Insights Through a Scoping Review. Sports Medicine-Open, 10(1), p.108.
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Frecklington, M., Dalbeth, N., McNair, P., Gow, P., Williams, A., Carroll, M. and Rome, K., 2017, November. Footwear interventions for foot pain, function, impairment and disability for people with foot and ankle arthritis: A literature review. In Seminars in arthritis and rheumatism. WB Saunders.
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Interventional Studies

Aimkosa, R., Xu, Z., Orth, D., Adams, R., Lyu, J. and Han, J., 2024. Effects of textured insoles on dynamic balance and ankle muscle activity in soccer players with and without chronic ankle instability. Journal of sports medicine and physical fitness.
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Barr, L., Richards, J., Dickson, C., Tawse, J., Munro, N., Scott, H., Holland, A. and Chapman, G.J., 2025. To scan or not to scan? Comparing the effectiveness and cost differential of insoles manufactured from foam-box casts versus direct scans in treating musculoskeletal conditions of the foot and ankle: a double-blinded, randomised controlled trial. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 26(1), p.282.
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Observational Studies

Barr, L., Munro, N., Watters, K., McCaig, R., Richards, J. and Chapman, G.J., 2024. The effectiveness of custom hard-shell 3D-printed foot orthoses in a cohort of patients who did not respond to treatment with custom ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) foot orthoses. The Foot, 61, p.102142.
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Kang, S., Kim, J., Kim, Y., Moon, J., Kim, H.J. and Kim, S.J., 2025. Application of Smart Insoles in Assessing Dynamic Stability in Patients with Chronic Ankle Instability: A Comparative Study. Sensors, 25(3), p.646.
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Lobet, S., Detrembleur, C., LANTIN, A.C., Haenecour, L. and Hermans, C., 2012. Functional impact of custom‐made foot orthoses in patients with haemophilic ankle arthropathy. Haemophilia, 18(3), pp.e227-e235.
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Merkle, T.P., Hofmann, N., Knop, C. and Da Silva, T., 2025. Biofeedback’s Effect on Orthosis Use: Insights from Continuous Six-Week Monitoring of Ankle Fracture Loading. Sensors, 25(3), p.825.
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Mündermann, A., Nigg, B.M., Stefanyshyn, D.J. and Humble, R.N., 2002. Development of a reliable method to assess footwear comfort during running. Gait & posture, 16(1), pp.38-45.
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Oçgüder, A., Gök, H., Heycan, C., Tecimel, O., Tönük, E. and Bozkurt, M., 2012. Effects of custom-made insole on gait pattern of patients with unilateral displaced intra-articular calcaneal fracture: evaluation with computerized gait analysis. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc, 46(1), pp.1-7.
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Meta-analyses

Zhou, S., Zheng, H., Cao, M., Tu, Z., Chen, Z., Jiang, D., Lv, S. and Cui, H., 2025. Comparative efficacy of cast immobilization versus removable braces in patients with ankle fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 26, p.243.
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Systematic Reviews

Highsmith, M.J., Nelson, L.M., Carbone, N.T., Klenow, T.D., Kahle, J.T., Hill, O.T., Maikos, J.T., Kartel, M.S. and Randolph, B.J., 2016. Outcomes associated with the Intrepid Dynamic Exoskeletal Orthosis (IDEO): a systematic review of the literature. Military medicine, 181(suppl_4), pp.69-76.
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Interventional Studies

Lehtonen, H., Ibounig, T., Ponkilainen, V., Rämö, L., Mäenpää, H. and Järvinen, T.L., 2022. Is 2-week Cast Wearing Followed by 4-week Functional Bracing Superior to 6-week Cast Immobilization After Surgery for Ankle Fractures? A 2-year Follow-up of a Randomized Controlled Trial. Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®, pp.10-1097.
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Lehtonen, H., Järvinen, T.L., Honkonen, S., Nyman, M., Vihtonen, K. and Järvinen, M., 2003. Use of a cast compared with a functional ankle brace after operative treatment of an ankle fracture: a prospective, randomized study. JBJS, 85(2), pp.205-211.
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Sharma, S., Anderson, K.M., Pacha, M.S., Falbo, K.J., Severe, C., Hansen, A.H., Hendershot, B.D. and Wilken, J.M., 2025. The effect of carbon fiber custom dynamic orthosis type on kinematics and kinetics of lower extremity joints in individuals with lower limb traumatic injuries. Gait & posture, 117, pp.228-234.
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Observational Studies

Brown, S.E., Esposito, E.R. and Wilken, J.M., 2017. The effect of ankle foot orthosis alignment on walking in individuals treated for traumatic lower extremity injuries. Journal of biomechanics, 61, pp.51-57.
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Hsu, J.R., Owens, J.G., DeSanto, J., Fergason, J.R., Kuhn, K.M., Potter, B.K., Stinner, D.J., Sheu, R.G., Waggoner, S.L., Wilken, J.M. and Huang, Y., 2017. Patient Response to an Integrated Orthotic and Rehabilitation Initiative for Traumatic Injuries: The PRIORITI-MTF Study. Journal of orthopaedic trauma, 31, pp.S56-S62.
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Huang, Y.C., Harbst, K., Kotajarvi, B., Hansen, D., Koff, M.F., Kitaoka, H.B. and Kaufman, K.R., 2006. Effects of ankle-foot orthoses on ankle and foot kinematics in patient with ankle osteoarthritis. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 87(5), pp.710-716.
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Kitaoka, H.B., Crevoisier, X.M., Harbst, K., Hansen, D., Kotajarvi, B. and Kaufman, K., 2006. The effect of custom-made braces for the ankle and hindfoot on ankle and foot kinematics and ground reaction forces. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation, 87(1), pp.130-135.
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Oleson, D., Fox, L., Nguyen, T., Sochacki, P., McCarthy, M., Adams, E. and Recht, M., 2017. A comparison of two types of ankle supports in men with haemophilia and unilateral ankle pain from arthropathy. Haemophilia, 23(3), pp.444-448.
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Vinckier, O., Matricali, G., Overstijns, M., Wuite, S. and Hoekstra, H., 2024. Weight-bearing timing after the operative management of ankle fractures: Single center audit and critical appraisal of literature. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery.
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Case Series / Case Studies

Callachand, F., Milligan, D. and Wilson, A., 2016. Atraumatic Pantalar Avascular Necrosis in a Patient With Alcohol Dependence. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 55(1), pp.207-208.
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Gardner, S., Frecklington, M., Rose, K. and Carroll, M.R., 2024. Changes in functional outcomes in people with high-energy ankle trauma after the use of the ReAktiv Posterior Dynamic Element™ orthosis and a rehabilitation program: A case series. Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 48(4), pp.368-371.
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Patzkowski, J.C., Owens, J.G., Blanck, R.V., Kirk, K.L., Hsu, J.R. and Skeletal Trauma Research Consortium, 2012. Management of posttraumatic osteoarthritis with an integrated orthotic and rehabilitation initiative. JAAOS-Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 20, pp.S48-S53.
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Pretz, R., Brown, C., Hughes, W.B. and Altschuler, E.L., 2016. Maximizing functional mobility in an electrical burn patient using a patellar tendon bearing orthosis. Journal of rehabilitation medicine, 48(7), pp.636-638.
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Expert Opinion

John, S. and Bongiovanni, F., 2009. Brace management for ankle arthritis. Clinics in podiatric medicine and surgery, 26(2), pp.193-197.
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Meta-analyses

Spierings, J.F., Nijdam, T.M.P., van der Heijden, L., Schuijt, H.J., Kokke, M.C., van der Velde, D. and Smeeing, D.P.J., 2023. Cast versus removable orthosis for the management of stable type B ankle fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, 49(5), pp.2085-2095.
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Zhou, S., Zheng, H., Cao, M., Tu, Z., Chen, Z., Jiang, D., Lv, S. and Cui, H., 2025. Comparative efficacy of cast immobilization versus removable braces in patients with ankle fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders, 26, p.243.
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Interventional Studies

Gregersen, M.G., Robinson, H.S. and Molund, M., 2023. Concomitant unstable and stable gravity stress tests on weight-bearing stable Weber B ankle fractures treated nonoperatively: a 2-year outcome study. JBJS, 105(18), pp.1435-1441.
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Kearney, R.S., McKeown, R., Gallacher, D., Brown, J., Mistry, D., Parsons, N., Young, J. and Costa, M., 2019. Ankle injury rehabilitation (AIR): a feasibility randomised controlled trial comparing functional bracing to plaster cast in the treatment of adult ankle fractures. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 5, pp.1-8.
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Observational Studies

Merkle, T.P., Hofmann, N., Knop, C. and Da Silva, T., 2025. Biofeedback’s Effect on Orthosis Use: Insights from Continuous Six-Week Monitoring of Ankle Fracture Loading. Sensors, 25(3), p.825.
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Oleson, D., Fox, L., Nguyen, T., Sochacki, P., McCarthy, M., Adams, E. and Recht, M., 2017. A comparison of two types of ankle supports in men with haemophilia and unilateral ankle pain from arthropathy. Haemophilia, 23(3), pp.444-448.
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Singh, D., Ferrero, A., Rose, B., Goldberg, A. and Cullen, N., 2016. Bone marrow edema syndrome of the foot and ankle: mid-to long-term follow-up in 18 patients. Foot & ankle specialist, 9(3), pp.218-226.<br/ > Click here for Article