The immediate effect of lateral heel wedge and soft brace on postural control in subjects with functional ankle instability

Despite of prevalence of ankle sprain, there is not have been enough study about sensory mechanism and change in force pattern of external support, that acting on sensory- motor system (process) and postural control in functional ankle instability (FAI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate effect of lateral heel wedge and soft brace on postural control in FAI and uninjured controls. Subject and

30 individuals with FAI in 2 groups examined with lateral heel wedge and soft brace, and 15 healthy controls participated in this study. Dynamic postural stability with and without external support, was assessed by biodex balance system in level 5.

In FAI individuals, after using lateral heel wedge, significant increase in overall limit of stability (LOS) (p=0.03), and wright LOS (p=0.04) was observed. however there was no significant increase in left LOS after using lateral heel wedge and in LOS indexes after using soft brace.

The results showed that changing in force pattern and decrease of stress on injured tissue after using lateral heel wedge can improve dynamic postural control in subjects with FAI.