Definition: An external stabilizer is placed outside the shoe on the medial (inside) or lateral (outside), depending upon where the foot needs rigid support. It is made of a firm material, usually cut in a half-moon shape, and glued on the shoe a bit forward of the heel and a bit in back of the metatarsal heads.
External stabilizers are used when the foot pronates or supinates beyond the sole of the shoe, as in cases of Post Tibial Tendon Dysfunction (PTTD), Tarsal Coalition or Accessory Navicular. Along with arch support and extra depth shoes, ankle and foot collapse in the shoe is reduced as is wear on the shoes.
Benefits: Some practitioners handle this kind of problem with bracing. However, bracing normally requires an increase in shoe size for the braced foot, creating sizing problems with the unbraced foot (such as tripping because the shoe is too big on that foot). External stabilization is one way to avoid increasing the shoe size while reducing medial or lateral shoe collapse.
Text: Copyright 2005-2010 Carole Romig Image: C. Romig