Mechanical ankle stabilisation due to the use of orthotic devices and peroneal muscle strength : an experimental investigation

: The mechanical stabilising effect of different orthotic devices and artificially applied muscular strength to the peroneal muscles is tested in cadaveric ankle joints and in vivo. Both orthotic devices as well as muscular strengths of 150 N applied to the peroneal muscles can produce a significant reduction in mechanical ankle instability. However, none of these methods alone can stabilise the ankle joint in such way to completely normalise the talar tilt and anterior drawer sign that is found in stable ankle joints. In contrast to that, clinical results in the treatment of sprained ankles with the application of an orthosis, additional muscular strengthening is the best treatment to achieve a sufficient mechanical ankle stability during the period of ligament healing. Additional factors influencing the mechanical ankle stability are supposed.