Effect of Foot Orthoses on Ankle and Foot Injuries in Military Service Recruits: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Lower extremity injuries are common among military recruits and leads to poor military outcome. Orthotics are shown to reduce injuries in runners. Effect of orthotics on military recruit foot injuries have not been adequately studied. We aimed to assess orthotics’ effect on ankle sprains, foot pain, tenderness and injury intensity in military recruits. 610 recruits entered this randomized, non-blinded, single centered controlled trial, 300 recruits were given a semi-rigid orthotic to put in their boots and 310 recruits who were not given anything were assigned as the control group. They were asked about history of foot pain in seven distinct parts of the lower limb and ankle sprains and their severity and were examined regarding tenderness in those foot parts for 2 times: at the beginning and the end of the two-month military trainings. Ankle sprain frequency did not differ significantly in trials (0.27±1.2) compared with controls (0.12±0.55) while ankle tenderness was significantly more common (p=0.02) and heel, foot arc and metatarsal pain and tenderness were significantly less common among trials. Pain induced inability to march or walk was less common in trials (p<0.00). Orthotics reduce foot sole pain and injury intensity and help to reduce pain induced training inability in military recruits. Further studies should assess their effect on ankle and leg pain.