Immediate comfort perception of 3D-printed foot orthoses in individuals with unilateral heel pain.
Malia Ho, Julie Nguyen, Kerwin Talbot and 4 others
PMID 35179521WHAT IT FOUND
Both 3D-printed and traditional foot orthoses improved immediate comfort for people with flat feet and one-sided heel pain.
There was no difference in comfort between the two types, despite 3D-printed devices being wider and having higher arches and heel cups.
Key findings
01There were no differences in immediate comfort perception between 3D-printed and traditionally made foot orthoses.
02Both 3D-printed and traditionally made orthoses were rated significantly more comfortable than the no-orthosis condition across all criteria.
033D-printed orthoses had statistically significant dimensional differences compared to traditional orthoses, being wider with higher heel cups and arches.
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 was small, with only 13 participants completing the trial. Comfort was assessed only during a single session of immediate use, not over the longer term. The study compared the dimensions of the orthoses themselves rather than how they fit the dynamic foot during walking. Participants had to have a body mass index under 36, which excludes patients with higher obesity levels. The orthoses were not adjusted before or during the trials, which may not reflect typical clinical practice where minor adjustments are common.
Declared interests
The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest. The work was supported by a CQUniversity New Staff Research Grant.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume that 3D-printed orthoses are clinically equivalent to traditional ones for all outcomes. This study only measured immediate comfort and static dimensions; it did not assess long-term durability, biomechanical effects on gait, or pain reduction over time.