Evidence for orthotic treatment of the midfoot

Warning

Footwear / FW adaptation / advice

Meta-Analyses

Alquhaibi, M.S., Ghaddaf, A.A., Alomari, M.S., Abdulhamid, A.S., Alsaygh, E.F., Alshehri, M.S. and Alyami, A.H., 2021. Short leg cast versus orthotic removable support for the management of pseudo-Jones avulsion fracture: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Injury.
Click here for Article

Systematic Reviews

Cabrera-Sánchez, J.M., Reina-Bueno, M., Palomo-Toucedo, I.C., Vázquez-Bautista, M.D.C., Núñez-Baila, M.Á. and González-López, J.R., 2024, October. Effect of Foot Orthoses and Footwear in People with Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Updated Systematic Review. In Healthcare (Vol. 12, No. 20, p. 2017). MDPI.
Click here for Article

Interventional Studies

van der Zwaard, B.C., Poppe, E., Vanwanseele, B., van der Horst, H.E. and Elders, P.J., 2014. Development and evaluation of a leaflet containing shoe advice: a randomized controlled trial. Family practice, 31(3), pp.267-272.
Click here for Article

Observational Studies

Dineen, H.A., Murphy, T.D., Mangat, S., Lukosius, E.Z., Lin, F.C., Pettett, B.J., Peoples, S.J. and Hurwitz, S.R., 2017. Functional Outcomes for Nonoperatively Treated Proximal Fifth Metatarsal Fractures. Orthopedics, 40(6), pp.e1030-e1035.
Click here for Article

Kulig, K., Burnfield, J.M., Reischl, S., Requejo, S.M., Blanco, C.E. and Thordarson, D.B., 2005. Effect of foot orthoses on tibialis posterior activation in persons with pes planus. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 37(1), pp.24-29.
Click here for Article

Mündermann, A., Nigg, B.M., Stefanyshyn, D.J. and Humble, R.N., 2002. Development of a reliable method to assess footwear comfort during running. Gait & posture, 16(1), pp.38-45.
Click here for Article

Nielsen, M.D., Dodson, E.E., Shadrick, D.L., Catanzariti, A.R., Mendicino, R.W. and Malay, D.S., 2011. Nonoperative care for the treatment of adult-acquired flatfoot deformity. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 50(3), pp.311-314.
Click here for Article

Taspinar, O., Kabayel, D.D., Ozdemir, F., Tuna, H., Keskin, Y., Mercimek, O.B., Süt, N., Yavuz, S. and Tuna, F., 2017. Comparing the efficacy of exercise, internal and external shoe modification in pes planus: A clinical and pedobarographic study. Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, 30(2), pp.255-263.
Click here for Article

Insoles

Meta-Analyses

Desmyttere, G., Hajizadeh, M., Bleau, J. and Begon, M., 2018. Effect of foot orthosis design on lower limb joint kinematics and kinetics during walking in flexible pes planovalgus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Biomechanics.
Click here for Article

Systematic Reviews

Banwell, H.A., Mackintosh, S. and Thewlis, D., 2014. Foot orthoses for adults with flexible pes planus: a systematic review. Journal of foot and ankle research, 7(1), p.23.
Click here for Article

Cabrera-Sánchez, J.M., Reina-Bueno, M., Palomo-Toucedo, I.C., Vázquez-Bautista, M.D.C., Núñez-Baila, M.Á. and González-López, J.R., 2024, October. Effect of Foot Orthoses and Footwear in People with Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Updated Systematic Review. In Healthcare (Vol. 12, No. 20, p. 2017). MDPI.
Click here for Article

Gómez-Jurado, I., Juárez-Jiménez, J.M. and Munuera-Martínez, P.V., 2021. Orthotic treatment for stage I and II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (flat foot): A systematic review. Clinical Rehabilitation, 35(2), pp.159-168.
Click here for Article

Hawke, F. and Burns, J., 2012. Brief report: custom foot orthoses for foot pain: what does the evidence say?. Foot & ankle international, 33(12), pp.1161-1163.
Click here for Article

Herchenröder, M., Wilfling, D. and Steinhäuser, J., 2021. Evidence for foot orthoses for adults with flatfoot: a systematic review. Journal of foot and ankle research, 14(1), pp.1-11.
Click here for Article

Interventional Studies

Burns, J., Crosbie, J., Ouvrier, R. and Hunt, A., 2006. Effective orthotic therapy for the painful cavus foot: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association, 96(3), pp.205-211.
Click here for Article

Chapman, G.J., Halstead, J. and Redmond, A.C., 2016. Comparability of off the shelf foot orthoses in the redistribution of forces in midfoot osteoarthritis patients. Gait & posture, 49, pp.235-240.
Click here for Article

Eweis, N.A., El-Kadery, N.A.E.S., Ahmed El-Hilaly, R. and ElBadawy, M.A., 2023. Comparison between Total Contact Custom-Made Insole versus Over the Counter Insole in Rehabilitation of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 116(Supplement_1), pp.hcad069-681.
Click here for Article

Halstead, J., Chapman, G.J., Gray, J.C., Grainger, A.J., Brown, S., Wilkins, R.A., Roddy, E., Helliwell, P.S., Keenan, A.M. and Redmond, A.C., 2016. Foot orthoses in the treatment of symptomatic midfoot osteoarthritis using clinical and biomechanical outcomes: a randomised feasibility study. Clinical rheumatology, 35(4), pp.987-996.
Click here for Article

Najafi, B., Barnica, E., Wrobel, J.S. and Burns, J., 2012. Dynamic plantar loading index: understanding the benefit of custom foot orthoses for painful pes cavus. Journal of biomechanics, 45(9), pp.1705-1711.
Click here for Article

Shih, Y.F., Wen, Y.K. and Chen, W.Y., 2011. Application of wedged foot orthosis effectively reduces pain in runners with pronated foot: a randomized clinical study. Clinical rehabilitation, 25(10), pp.913-923.
Click here for Article

Observational Studies

Akuzawa, H., Imai, A., Iizuka, S., Matsunaga, N. and Kaneoka, K., 2016. Calf muscle activity alteration with foot orthoses insertion during walking measured by fine-wire electromyography. Journal of physical therapy science, 28(12), pp.3458-3462.
Click here for Article

Alvarez, R.G., Marini, A., Schmitt, C. and Saltzman, C.L., 2006. Stage I and II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction treated by a structured nonoperative management protocol: an orthosis and exercise program
Click here for Article

Banwell, H.A., Thewlis, D. and Mackintosh, S., 2015. Adults with flexible pes planus and the approach to the prescription of customised foot orthoses in clinical practice: a clinical records audit. The Foot, 25(2), pp.101-109.
Click here for Article

Barr, L., Munro, N., Watters, K., McCaig, R., Richards, J. and Chapman, G.J., 2024. The effectiveness of custom hard-shell 3D-printed foot orthoses in a cohort of patients who did not respond to treatment with custom ethylene-vinyl-acetate (EVA) foot orthoses. The Foot, 61, p.102142.
Click here for Article

Ibuki, A., Cornoiu, A., Clarke, A., Unglik, R. and Beischer, A., 2010. The effect of orthotic treatment on midfoot osteoarthritis assessed using specifically designed patient evaluation questionnaires. Prosthetics and orthotics international, 34(4), pp.461-471.
Click here for Article

Kulig, K., Burnfield, J.M., Reischl, S., Requejo, S.M., Blanco, C.E. and Thordarson, D.B., 2005. Effect of foot orthoses on tibialis posterior activation in persons with pes planus. Medicine and science in sports and exercise, 37(1), pp.24-29.
Click here for Article

LoPiccolo, M., Chilvers, M. and Graham, B., 2010. Effectiveness of the cavus foot orthosis. Journal of surgical orthopaedic advances, 19(3), pp.166-169.
Click here for Article

Mündermann, A., Nigg, B.M., Stefanyshyn, D.J. and Humble, R.N., 2002. Development of a reliable method to assess footwear comfort during running. Gait & posture, 16(1), pp.38-45.
Click here for Article

Murley, G.S., Landorf, K.B. and Menz, H.B., 2010. Do foot orthoses change lower limb muscle activity in flat-arched feet towards a pattern observed in normal-arched feet?. Clinical Biomechanics, 25(7), pp.728-736.
Click here for Article

Rao, S., Baumhauer, J.F., Becica, L. and Nawoczenski, D.A., 2009. Shoe inserts alter plantar loading and function in patients with midfoot arthritis. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 39(7), pp.522-531.
Click here for Article

Taspinar, O., Kabayel, D.D., Ozdemir, F., Tuna, H., Keskin, Y., Mercimek, O.B., Süt, N., Yavuz, S. and Tuna, F., 2017. Comparing the efficacy of exercise, internal and external shoe modification in pes planus: A clinical and pedobarographic study. Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, 30(2), pp.255-263.
Click here for Article

Tryfonidis, M., Jackson, W., Mansour, R., Cooke, P.H., Teh, J., Ostlere, S. and Sharp, R.J., 2008. Acquired adult flat foot due to isolated plantar calcaneonavicular (spring) ligament insufficiency with a normal tibialis posterior tendon. Foot and ankle surgery, 14(2), pp.89-95.
Click here for Article

Xu, Y., Hou, Qh., Han, Xl. et al. Effects of Custom-made Insoles on Plantar Biomechanics and Upper Extremity Muscle Performance. CURR MED SCI 42, 159–168 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11596-021-2471-6
Click here for Article

Yi, T., Kim, J.H., Oh-Park, M. and Hwang, J.H., 2018. Effect of Full-Length Carbon Fiber Insoles on Lower Limb Kinetics in Patients With Midfoot Osteoarthritis: A Pilot Study. American journal of physical medicine & rehabilitation, 97(3), pp.192-199.
Click here for Article

Zifchock, R.A. and Davis, I., 2008. A comparison of semi-custom and custom foot orthotic devices in high-and low-arched individuals during walking. Clinical biomechanics, 23(10), pp.1287-1293.
Click here for Article

Narrative Literature Review

Deu, R.S., Coslick, A.M. and Dreher, G., 2022. Tendinopathies of the Foot and Ankle. American family physician, 105(5), pp.479-486.
Click here for Article

Study Protocol

Lim, P.Q., Menz, H.B., Landorf, K.B., Kaminski, M.R., Buldt, A.K., Lithgow, M.J., Paterson, K.L., Halstead, J. and Munteanu, S.E., 2024. Efficacy of arch contouring foot orthoses for midfoot osteoarthritis: Protocol for a randomised controlled trial. Journal of foot and ankle research, 17(3), p.e70000.
Click here for Article

AFO / Ankle brace

Systematic Reviews

Gómez-Jurado, I., Juárez-Jiménez, J.M. and Munuera-Martínez, P.V., 2021. Orthotic treatment for stage I and II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction (flat foot): A systematic review. Clinical Rehabilitation, 35(2), pp.159-168.
Click here for Article

Interventional Studies

Houck, J., Neville, C., Tome, J. and Flemister, A., 2015. Randomized controlled trial comparing orthosis augmented by either stretching or stretching and strengthening for stage II tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction. Foot & ankle international, 36(9), pp.1006-1016.
Click here for Article

Kulig, K., Reischl, S.F., Pomrantz, A.B., Burnfield, J.M., Mais-Requejo, S., Thordarson, D.B. and Smith, R.W., 2009. Nonsurgical management of posterior tibial tendon dysfunction with orthoses and resistive exercise: a randomized controlled trial. Physical Therapy, 89(1), pp.26-37.
Click here for Article

Observational Studies

Lin, J.L., Balbas, J. and Richardson, E.G., 2008. Results of non-surgical treatment of stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction: a 7-to 10-year followup. Foot & ankle international, 29(8), pp.781-786.
Click here for Article

Neville, C. and Lemley, F.R., 2012. Effect of ankle-foot orthotic devices on foot kinematics in Stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. Foot & ankle international, 33(5), pp.406-414.
Click here for Article

Neville, C., Bucklin, M., Ordway, N. and Lemley, F., 2016. An ankle-foot orthosis with a lateral extension reduces forefoot abduction in subjects with stage II posterior Tibial tendon dysfunction. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 46(1), pp.26-33.
Click here for Article

Neville, C., Flemister, A.S. and Houck, J., 2009. Effects of the AirLift PTTD brace on foot kinematics in subjects with stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 39(3), pp.201-209.
Click here for Article

Nielsen, M.D., Dodson, E.E., Shadrick, D.L., Catanzariti, A.R., Mendicino, R.W. and Malay, D.S., 2011. Nonoperative care for the treatment of adult-acquired flatfoot deformity. The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 50(3), pp.311-314.
Click here for Article

Case Series / Case Studies

Krause, F., Bosshard, A., Lehmann, O. and Weber, M., 2008. Shell brace for stage II posterior tibial tendon insufficiency. Foot & ankle international, 29(11), pp.1095-1100.
Click here for Article

Kryzak, T.J. and DeGroot, H., 2008. Adult onset flatfoot associated with an intramuscular hemangioma of the posterior tibialis muscle. Orthopedics, 31(3).
Click here for Article

Neville, C. and Houck, J., 2009. Choosing among 3 ankle-foot orthoses for a patient with stage II posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. journal of orthopaedic & sports physical therapy, 39(11), pp.816-824.
Click here for Article

Narrative Literature Reviews

Richie, D.H., 2022. Injuries to the Spring Ligament: Nonoperative Treatment. Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, 39(3), pp.461-476.
Click here for Article

Editorial Information

Last reviewed: 01/12/2024

Next review date: 01/12/2025

Approved By: British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO)

Reviewer name(s): Laura Barr, British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO) Professional Affairs Committee.