Effect of Customized Foot Insoles on Low Back Pain and Energy Expenditure in Prosthetics and Orthotics Professionals with Flat Feet

Abstract

Background: Low Back pain (LBP) in both developed and developing countries is the most prevalent occupation-related problem. 60%-80% of the general population at some time in their lives suffers from LBP. The existing evidence on Allied Health professions suggests that prosthetists/orthotists are likely to be at risk of low back pain development which has not been explored. Feet disorders and deformities are among the possible causes of LBP that have been introduced. It seems that there is a link between foot deformity and spinal performance in terms of the principles of biomechanics. Proper treatment with customized foot orthosis is more effective for improving low back pain symptoms than treatment with standard treatment methods. Aims and Objectives: The present study evaluates the effect of customized foot insoles in reducing the pain and energy expenditure among prosthetics and orthotics professionals with mechanical low back pain. Methodology: 30 prosthetics and orthotics professionals of age 25-35 years with mechanical low back pain and flat feet participated in the study which was a pre-test post-test experimental study design. LBP was evaluated by a Visual Analog Scale. The energy expenditure was evaluated using physiological cost index. Pre-test data of pain and energy expenditure was recorded without intervention. Then the customized foot insoles were given to the subjects for the duration of 4 weeks and post-test data of pain and energy was collected. Results: The results showed a significant improvement in low back pain (mean ± SD =6.16 ± 0.94 to 5.03 ± 0.76, p= .000), and in the energy expenditure (mean ± SD = 0.08 ±0.02 to 0.06 ±0.02, p= 0.000). Conclusion: This study provides evidence that customized foot insoles reduce pain and energy consumption among prosthetics and orthotics professionals with low back pain and flat feet. Key words: Mechanical low back pain, flat feet, energy consumption, prosthetics and orthotics professionals, customized foot insoles.