Biomechanical treatment of traumatic foot and ankle injuries with the use of foot orthotics

Abstract

Physical therapists commonly treat injuries that occur to the foot and ankle complex following trauma. The goals of rehabilitation typically focus on restoring motion and maximizing functional strength and proprioception. It is important to understand the normal biomechanics of the foot and ankle complex as well as the structural and biomechanical changes that occur following ankle fractures, calcaneal fractures, subtalar joint dislocations, and tarsometatarsal joint dislocations. The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical basis for the use of various types of foot orthotics in the biomechanical treatment of traumatic foot and ankle injuries.