IVO-Congress shows variety of topics on international scale - Evidence with sensorimotor insoles

Evidence with sensorimotor insoles

One of the speakers with the longest trip to Paris probably was Katrin Wegener, originally from Germany, but meanwhile working in Australia as an orthopedic shoe maker. She presented a research project for the treatment with sensorimotor insoles according to Jahrling in case of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth-disease. Using a case study, she explained how important the evidence is for the recognition of the treatment. "In Australia people often ask: How does this work or function? And where is the corresponding publication?" Wegener said. Since so far there have not been any English publications on the topic, Footpower decided to initiate one itself and could start a pilot program together with the university in Sydney.

With the help of 3D-motion analyses it could be detected that sensorimotor insoles raise the eversion of the midfoot and the plantar flexion, as well as the eversion of the ankle. They caused slight but significant alterations to knee and hip, indicating a higher inner rotation. Concluding Katrin Wegener said that the examined sensorimotor insoles lead to changes in adults with Charcot-Marie-Tooth in kinematics, kinetics and the amount of pressure and are regarded as more comfortable, more cushioning and stable during walking.

Minimizing the risk of falling

Karl-Heinz Schott, still acting IVO-president during the congress, addressed the orthopedic shoe technological treatment of patients with high risk of falling in his lecture. Scientific studies showed that high heels and soft soles are not recommendable for such patients. Within a research project with the university in New South Wales some time ago a basic shoe, on purpose designed in a simple way, was developed and had only one element (component of shoe) changed.

"You can reach substantial stabilization with the help of orthopedic shoe technology - for example in elderly people who get balance problems by nature and thus have a higher risk of falling. But also in patients that have balance problems due to their disabilities and that have a corresponding risk of falling," Schott summarized the results of the variety of different test series and case studies.