Written by: Larry Huppin, DPM
10/8/2009 1:20 PM

There are few pathologies that have more literature supporting the use of custom foot orthotic therapy than lateral ankle instability. Unfortunately, orthoses are rarely a first line treatment for this problem.

We recommend every orthotic practitioner read /Dr. Doug Richie's excellent literature review of the subject:
Richie, DH: Effects of foot orthoses on patients with chronic ankle instability. J Am Podiatric Med Assoc 97:19-30, 2007.

The orthotic prescription for this condition is fairly complicated, in that the prescription will vary depending on the foot type. The literature indicates that the lateral ankle instability patient with an overly pronated foot should have an orthosis that resists pronation. We refer you to Dr. Richie's article for an explanation of why this is necessary. For the patient with an excessively supinated foot, however, the literature indicates that the patient should have a device that resists supination. Our lateral ankle instability pathology specific orthosis is such a device. Details on this device are available here.

ProLab clients are invited to discuss their lateral ankle instability patients with one of our medical consultants.

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