The ankle is an important joint that connects the lower leg to the foot and bears much of our daily movement. Injury to this joint or to the surrounding tendons and ligaments can lead not only to pain but also to a significant restriction of mobility. In such cases, depending on the symptoms and diagnosis, foot orthoses or ankle supports may be used as part of treatment.
What is a foot orthosis?
Orthoses are medical devices prescribed by a physician or an orthotics specialist. Three basic types of orthoses can be described for the ankle and foot:
- Orthoses for stabilization
- Mobilization orthoses (which support movement)
- Orthoses for offloading (load relief)
Orthoses designed specifically to relieve load may include functional elements such as joints that control, support or limit movement. A foot orthosis can affect the entire musculoskeletal system. For example, it may indirectly help relieve shoulder or back pain caused by faulty postures adopted to avoid pain.
What is a foot support?
The main function of a foot support is to stabilize the joint without restricting its range of motion. For this reason, supports can be used not only during treatment but also in daily activities after treatment; during this time, they protect the joint and help reduce the risk of new injury. Unlike orthoses, supports are usually made of flexible material. Ankle supports may apply light pressure to the area while stabilizing the joint, and may have pads on their inner and outer sides.
When is an orthosis used?
A physician or orthotics specialist may recommend a foot orthosis for various reasons. For example:
- In heel bone fractures, offloading orthoses may be used to support healing and gradually increase weight bearing.
- In cases of ankylosis (fusion) due to arthritis in the lower ankle joint, orthoses are reported to provide relief.
- In situations such as ligament injuries from sports, multipurpose orthoses may provide support.
When is a support used?
Irritation or swelling in the ankle joint, ligament instability, edema or Achilles tendinitis can cause pain and restrict natural movement patterns. In these cases, a foot support can stabilize the joint; through its compression effect, it may help swelling go down more quickly. Supports may sometimes also be used after treatment has been completed.
Ankle-foot orthoses in neurological conditions
In neurological conditions such as stroke and multiple sclerosis, being unable to lift the foot and ankle sufficiently can affect walking. In these cases, ankle-foot orthoses (AFO) may be used to support the foot in the correct position and contribute to a safer walking pattern. In foot drop, where the front of the foot cannot be lifted, short leg braces may be preferred for this purpose; if lightness is a priority in daily use, AFO options made of carbon material may also be considered.
Which of these interventions is appropriate is determined by the person's diagnosis, symptoms and daily needs. Orthoses and supports are selected and fitted in line with the specialist physician's prescription or medical report and with the orthotics specialist's assessment.
This content is for informational purposes only; you should consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
