Methods
Thirty one patients with structural discrepancies of 5–20 mm were randomly divided into two groups, those who used a shoe insert (group(A)) and those who formed a control group (group(B)). Their mean age, mass, and height were 31.5 ± 10y, 77.8 ± 10.4 kg, and 1.69 ± 0.08 m respectively. Spino-pelvic alignment measures (pelvic tilt, pelvic torsion, surface rotation, and lateral deviation) were assessed using rasterstereography, while dynamic balance was assessed using Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). Patients were assessed pre- and post-intervention over the eight-week study duration.
Results
Mixed Design MANOVA showed significant decreases in the mean values of all spino-pelvic alignment measures and significant increases in the mean (SEBT) scores with insert use (p < 0.01) in group(A) with opposite results being reported for group(B). In addition, group(A) showed significant decreases in all spino-pelvic alignment measures and significant increases in the balance test scores when compared with group(B) eight weeks post insert use (p < 0.01).
Conclusions
Using shoe insole for leg length discrepancy correction appears to assist in improving postural symmetry and dynamic balance.
