Effects of orthotic insoles on adults with flexible flatfoot under different walking conditions.
Jun Na Zhai, Yu Sheng Qiu, Jue Wang
PMID 27942124WHAT IT FOUND
Wearing orthotic insoles for 3 months reduced pressure on the middle of the foot in adults with flexible flatfoot.
While their walking pattern did not fully match that of people with normal feet, the insoles improved how the foot handled load, especially when walking down stairs.
Key findings
01After three months of wearing orthotic insoles, the load rate and contact area of the midfoot were significantly improved in adults with flexible flatfoot.
02Despite improvement, the foot pressure data for adults with flexible flatfoot after treatment remained significantly different from that of adults with normal feet.
03Walking down stairs caused greater deformation of the foot arch and higher midfoot pressure than walking on level ground or up stairs, affecting both people with flatfoot and those with normal feet.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
The study did not report patient-reported outcomes such as pain levels or functional improvement, only objective pressure data. The sample size was small (15 per group) and consisted entirely of college students, which limits generalizability to older adults or those with other comorbidities. There was no control group for the flatfoot participants; everyone received the insoles, so natural changes over time cannot be ruled out. The insoles did not fully normalize foot pressure compared to the healthy control group, indicating partial correction only.
Declared interests
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that orthotic insoles will completely restore normal foot mechanics or eliminate pain. The data showed that while pressure on the midfoot decreased, it remained significantly higher than in people with normal feet, and the study did not measure pain or functional outcomes.