Evaluation of EXO-L ankle brace

What is it about?

We evaluated a new kind of ankle brace, named EXO-L. We analysed the mechanical functionality with a (modification to an existing and earlier validated) method where the foot and ankle are pulled into different extreme positions in a CT scanner. The rotations of the bones of the ankle (between leg and talus) and the subtalar (between talus and calcaneus) joint were determined between two opposite extreme positions with and without the ankle brace. The results showed that the motion from dorsiflexion (bringing your toes to your nose) to plantar flexion (bringing your toes downwards) is not significantly altered with the use of the brace. The motion of most sprains is a combination of plantar flexion and inversion (with the sole of the foot turning inside). This motion was limited by the use of the ankle brace at both joints (ankle and subtalar joint).

Featured Image

Why is it important?

This new ankle brace is different than conventional ankle braces and this first evaluation comfirms the claimed functionality that only the motion of spraining is restricted, but the other motions are not. Further testing needs to be done in the field and / or dynamic.