A stabilometric technique for evaluation of lower limb instabilities

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics and Motor Control
• Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

Background:

• Postural equilibrium is crucial for functional mobility and injury prevention.
• Ankle ligament injuries can impair postural control, affecting daily activities and athletic performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the efficacy of stabilometry in quantifying postural sway in individuals with unilateral lateral ankle ligament injuries.
• To evaluate the impact of an ankle brace on postural control parameters in this patient population.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a computerized strain gauge force plate to measure frontal plane body sway.
• Studied a reference group of 55 healthy individuals for method reproducibility.
• Assessed 14 patients with unilateral lateral ankle ligament injuries, both with and without an ankle brace.

Main Results:

• Stabilometry parameters effectively differentiated between the injured and uninjured legs in patients.
• Ankle brace application resulted in a significant improvement in postural sway.
• With the brace, sway parameters in the injured leg were comparable to the uninjured leg, showing no significant differences.

Conclusions:

• Stabilometry is a reliable method for assessing postural control deficits following ankle ligament injuries.
• Ankle braces are effective in restoring postural stability in patients with lateral ankle ligament injuries.