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Stability of the Braced Ankle

A Biomechanical Investigation

Unité de Réadaptation, Université Catholique de Louvain, Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, Cliniques Universitaires St. Luc, Brussels, Belgium

D. Bragard, PhD

Unité de Réadaptation, Université Catholique de Louvain

P.A. Willems, PhD

Unité de Réadaptation, Université Catholique de Louvain

L. Plaghki, MD

Service de Médecine Physique et de Réadaptation, Cliniques Universitaires St. Luc, Brussels, Belgium

We measured the bare ankle and the braced angle- torque relationships in 12 uninjured volunteers under static and dynamic conditions within the full range of inversion motion. These relationships were measured with a specially designed mechanical device that al lowed inversion movements with angular velocities up to 850 deg/sec. In testing the bare ankle under static conditions, the torque showed a 10-fold increase within the full range of motion (average, from 0.9 N-m at 7° to about 8 N-m at 48° of inversion). The slope of the angle-torque relationship increased under dynamic conditions giving higher torque values (up to 18 N-m on average). Both orthoses induced similar additional torques that increased linearly, up to about 6 N-m at 45°, with higher angles of inversion. These additional torques are small compared with the amount of stress applied to the foot during a typical ankle sprain situa tion, such as recovering from a jump. Therefore, we propose that orthotic devices increase the ankle torque, counteracting the inversion movement, and also prevent the start of the inversion movement by preloading and maintaining the ankle in a proper ana tomic position with optimal contact between the artic ular surfaces.

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