Effectiveness of medial-wedge insoles for children with intoeing gait who fall easily

This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of orthosis therapy using a medial-wedge insole (MWI) with a height of 5 mm and an arch support for children with intoeing gait who are prone to falling. Between January 1997 and July 2014, a total of 51 children (24 males, 27 females; mean age 5.0 years; range, 3 to 8 years) who were treated for an intoeing gait symptom of easily falling using the MWI (toe-in gait group) were included. The effectiveness of the MWI was evaluated based on the scores reported by children and their parents on a scale. Physical findings of the study group were also compared with a control group consisting of seven healthy children (4 males, 3 females; mean age 5.2 years; range, 3 to 6.2 years). Foot stability with and without MWI were assessed. The MWI was found to be effective in 80.8% of the toe-in gait group. Bilateral sum of the internal rotation angle of the hip (IRAB) was significantly higher (136±17°) (p=0.007) and bilateral sum of thigh foot angle (TFAB) significantly lower (-27±21°) (p