Comparison of the effect of gait plate insole and medial-wedge insole on foot progression angle and balance of children with in-toeing gait

BACKGROUND: Rotational deformities, particularly in-toeing gait, are prevalent in children's lower limbs. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of gait plate insoles (GPI) and medial-wedge insoles (MWI) on foot progression angle (FPA) and balance in children with in-toeing gait. STUDY DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. METHODS: The study involved 30 children aged 3 to 10 years, divided into 2 equal groups: 1 received GPI, and the other received MWI. FPA and balance parameters were measured using motion analysis and force plate devices before and after 1 month of intervention. Children walked a 10-m path, with a force plate placed in the middle that recorded foot data separately to evaluate the balance. The FPA was calculated based on marker data placed on lower limbs as the children walked barefoot at a normal speed. RESULTS: Both insoles significantly increased FPA (6.67 and 4.76 degrees for the right foot and 9.62 and 6.56 degrees for the left foot, respectively). The GPI significantly increased the total standard deviation of the center of pressure (COP) displacement ( P < 0.001), COP velocity ( P < 0/001), and phase plane portrait of the COP of the right foot ( P < 0/001). The MWI decreased COP velocity and phase plane portrait in the left foot ( P = 0.01) and increased COP displacement in both feet significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Both gait plate and MWI effectively enhance FPA and improve the gait of children with in-toeing gait, with different effects on balance, suggesting that MWI may better reduce fall risk.