Torn ligament

A torn ligament is usually caused by trauma, for example during sports or in an accident. Usually, the affected person bends over with his or her foot. Depending on whether the foot bends inwards or outwards, the inner or outer ligaments of the ankle are affected.

Regardless of whether the ligaments have been overstretched or torn completely, the ankle joint must first be stabilized with an orthosis. This is the only way to keep the foot in the correct position so that the ligaments can grow back together at rest. Immediately after the trauma, a rigid orthosis is therefore used for the foot. Even later, the ankle joint is not yet stable enough for all movements. Softer sports orthoses can be used for this purpose, which allow mobility but protect the foot from buckling.

What different orthoses are available for the foot?

For the foot, there are a wide variety of orthoses that support different aspects of the foot, depending on the type of limitation of the person affected.

For example, if you break your ankle joint, you usually get a vacuum cast. Instead of the heavy and unwieldy conventional plaster, these mostly grey/green splints are much more comfortable and easier to handle.
In addition, affected persons are usually allowed to (partially) put weight on the foot again earlier than with a normal plaster cast.
For injuries such as torn, torn and stretched ligaments, so-called aircast splints are provided, which stabilize the ankle joint to prevent it from buckling again, but at the same time maintain a certain degree of mobility in the ankle. Later, the aircast splints are usually replaced by softer bandages, which are intended to provide support under particular loads.
A so-called forefoot relief shoe is used for a broken toe. This allows the foot to roll, but shifts the pressure from the toes to the midfoot.
Other small bandages and orthoses can also support injured toes after the initial healing phase.
Foot orthoses used for paralysis and weakness of muscle groups usually include both the foot and the lower leg and therefore usually fall into the category of lower leg orthoses. The orthosis fixes the ankle joint, which can no longer be controlled muscularly due to a paralysis. The orthosis is attached to the foot and the lower leg and thus allows the foot to move along with the lower leg.