Rigid versus soft foot orthoses. A single subject design

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of rigid and soft foot orthoses on forefoot and rearfoot forces in a 20-year-old female runner with a history of tibial and metatarsal stress fractures. The results of this study indicate that a soft orthosis significantly reduced vertical forces through the foot during both walking and running. The authors recommend that proper fabrication materials be considered for those patients with a history of foot or lower extremity problems caused by reduced shock attenuation.