Materials used for footwear orthoses: A review

Footwear orthoses have been used by clinicians for many years to treat lower limb pathologies. Materials traditionally used included wood, leather and fabric with recent advances in material sciences leading to the addition of many materials which have suitable properties and characteristics. Clinicians need an understanding of the properties and characteristics of orthosis materials to make informed decisions on the most appropriate material to meet their patients' needs. The objective of this study was to complete a literature review into materials used for footwear orthoses. Studies were grouped into three categories based on methodology: (1) bench testing, (2) simulated in-shoe conditions testing, and (3) testing of materials when placed in footwear while walking or running. Research to date has used a broad range of testing methodologies to examine an extensive range of materials. The lack of information provided by some researchers on the specifications of the materials they tested compromises the ability to directly compare studies. The age of the material tested was found to affect results. Bench and simulated in-shoe conditions testing, while beneficial in providing general information on the characteristics of the materials, only allow for speculation on how the materials would perform when placed in footwear. Conclusions on the characteristics of materials made by some researchers appear to be dependant on the relative relationships between the materials tested within their own research. © 2010 Taylor & Francis.