Orthotics Reduce Overuse Injuries in Naval Recruits

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of prefabricated foot orthoses for the prevention of lower limb overuse injuries in naval recruits.

This is an important study which provided prospective intervention with Formthotics into a potentially vulnerable group: Military recruits. Key point: the formthotics group had a 34% lower frequency of MTSS, PFPS, achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciitis than control (sham devices). As this type of study is difficult to do, the results are both rare and important for Formthotics. There was no alternative "orthotic" in this trial. But, as in all military-cohort studies, the result is significant because the subjects tend to be homogenous in terms of age and physical capacity, and experience very similar physical stresses.

Results: Sixty-seven injuries (21.9%) were recorded. The control and intervention group sustained 40 (26.1%) and 27 (17.6%) injuries, respectively (IRR 0.66, 95%CI 0.39 to 1.11, p=0.098). This corresponds to a 34% reduction in risk of developing medial tibial stress syndrome, patellofemoral pain, Achilles tendinopathy or plantar fasciitis/plantar heel for the intervention group compared with the control group. Participants in the prefabricated orthoses group were more likely to report at least one adverse event (20.3% vs 12.4%; relative risk (RR) 1.63, 95%CI 0.96 to 2.76; p=0.068; number needed to harm 13, 95%CI 6 to 253). The most common adverse events were foot blisters (n=20, 6.6%), arch pain (n=10, 3.3%) and shin pain (n=8, 2.6%).

Conclusion: Prefabricated foot orthoses may be beneficial for reducing the incidence of lower limb injury in naval recruits undertaking defence training.

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