The effects of ankle supports on gait in adults: a randomized cross-over study

We aimed to compare the effects of different ankle supports used after ankle injury/surgery on temporo-spatial gait characteristics. We conducted a randomized cross-over study including adult participants with no previous lower limb or neurological pathology, who underwent gait analysis on an electronic walkway in three different ankle supports, Tubigrip®, a stirrup brace and a walker boot. The 18 participants were an average age of 42 (SD 13, range 24-62) years and 14 (88%) were female. Compared to Tubigrip®, gait in the walker boot was slower (-0.19m/s, 95%CI -0.23 to -0.16, P<0.001), step length asymmetry was 10% (95%CI 9-12, P<0.001) worse, single support time asymmetry was 5% (95%CI 3-7, P<0.001) worse and participants also adopted a wider step width (4.1cm, 95%CI 3.7-4.5, P