Previous | All articles | Next

Looking further at the benefits of the PTTD brace

The aircell of Aircast’s AirLift PTTD brace is put on trial to test its effectiveness on relative foot kinematics.

Orthotic devices such as the AirLift PTTD are commonly recommended in the conservative management of stage II PTTD (posterior tibial tendon dysfunction) to improve foot kinematics. These orthotic devices should target abnormal foot kinematics identified in individuals with stage II dysfunction to unload active (muscular) and passive (ligamentous) support structures. The following research¹ was conducted as a laboratory study to investigate the effect of inflation of the AirLift aircell component of the brace on relative foot kinematics in subjects with Stage II (PTTD).

The AirLift PTTD is an off-the-shelf product which has proved popular amongst early suffers of adult acquired flat foot or else those needing post- surgical stabilisation or rehabilitation. The brace uses an internal adjustable aircell which inflates to support the arch to help provide optimum foot position. The brace is popular as it is easy to adjust (whilst being worn) with its rear entry and two strap application and has no laces to wrestle with!

But how effective can it be?

Ten female subjects with unilateral stage II PTTD were observed and recorded wearing the AirLift PTTD brace during three random testing conditions. Comparisons were made between air bladder inflation and the 0-PSI (pound-force per square inch) condition for each of the dependent kinematic variables: hindfoot eversion, forefoot abduction, and forefoot dorsiflexion.

Overall the air bladder component of the AirLift PTTD brace was successful in reducing the amount of hindfoot eversion observed in subjects with stage II PTTD; however, the effect on forefoot motion was more variable. Small changes attributable to the air bladder may add to changes from the clamshell component to further enhance clinical benefit.

As a cost-effective and easily used orthotic device, the AirLift PTTD brace is associated with biomechanical changes that are theoretically beneficial to patients with stage II PTTD. The study showed that this off-the-shelf brace may serve as a good first orthotic treatment option for some patients with stage II PTTD. For more details follow the link from MyDJO. 

¹ Effects of the AirLift PTTD Brace on Foot Kinematics in Subjects with Stage II PTTD – Neville C., Flemister A.S. & Houck J. – Journal of  Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy 2009; 39(3):201-209

Previous | All articles | Next