Effect of bar length on foot abduction and ankle dorsiflexion in Steenbeek foot abduction brace.

Abstract

We investigated the impact of changes in bar length of Steenbeek foot abduction brace on foot and ankle range of motion in 150 children. The ankle dorsiflexion and foot abduction was measured without brace, with standard brace size (0) as depicted in Steenbeek manual and after variations in bar length (-2˝ to +2˝). The bar length (0) was also compared with shoulder width for Indian population. The Steenbeek foot abduction brace bar length in current use (11.53±1.2˝) was longer than shoulder size (8.14±1.18˝) with no true correlation. Steenbeek foot abduction brace usefulness was evident for foot abduction (46°) but not for dorsiflexion. The varied bar lengths tested did not significantly altered available dorsiflexion or abduction. The currently used Steenbeek foot abduction brace were larger than shoulder widths. The Steenbeek foot abduction brace was dynamic but required prefabrication for its effectiveness. The changes in bar length did not significantly alter foot dynamics occurring with brace.