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Br J Sports Med doi:10.1136/bjsm.2008.055830

Clinical effectiveness of customised sport shoe orthoses for overuse injuries in runners– a randomised controlled study

  1. Anja Hirschmüller (anja.hirschmueller{at}uniklinik-freiburg.de)
  1. Albert-Ludwigs University Freiburg, Department Orthopaedics and Traumatlogy, Germany
    1. Heiner Baur (hbaur{at}uni-potsdam.de)
    1. University of Potsdam, Department of Sports Medicine and Prevention, Germany
      1. Steffen Müller (stefmue{at}uni-potsdam.de)
      1. University of Potsdam, Department of Sports Medicine and Prevention, Germany
        1. Peter Helwig (peter.helwig{at}uniklinik-freiburg.de)
        1. Albert-Ludwigs University Freiburg, Department Orthopaedics and Traumatlogy, Germany
          1. Hans-Hermann Dickhuth (hans-hermann.dickhuth{at}uniklinik-freiburg.de)
          1. Albert-Ludwigs University Freiburg, Department of Rehabilitative and Preventive Sports Medicine, Germany
            1. Frank Mayer (fmayer{at}uni-potsdam.de)
            1. University of Potsdam, Department of Sports Medicine and Prevention, Germany
              • Published Online First 12 August 2009

              Abstract

              Background and objectives: Treatment of chronic running-related overuse injuries by orthopaedic shoe orthoses is very common but not evidence-based to date.

              Hypothesis: Polyurethane foam orthoses adapted to subject’s barefoot plantar pressure distribution are an effective treatment option for chronic overuse injuries in runners.

              Design: Prospective, randomised, controlled clinical trial.

              Intervention: 51 patients with running injuries were treated with custom-made, semi-rigid running shoe orthoses for 8 weeks. 48 served as a randomised control group that continued regular training activity without any treatment.

              Main outcome measures: Evaluation was made by the validated pain questionnaire subjective pain rating scale (SES), the pain disability index (PDI) and a comfort index in the orthoses group (ICI).

              Results: There were statistically significant differences between orthoses and control group at 8 weeks for PDI (mean difference 3.2 (95% CI 0.9 to 5.5) and SES (6.6 (2.6 to 10.6)). The orthoses patients reported a rising wearing comfort (ICI pre 69/100, ICI post 83/100) which was most pronounced in the first four weeks (ICI 80.4/100).

              Conclusion: Customised polyurethane running shoe orthoses are an effective conservative therapy strategy for chronic running injuries with high comfort and acceptance of injured runners.

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