Talus Control

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Hi There,

I'm a graduate orthotist who has been asked to do a presentation on Talus control, in respect to foot and AFO modification, at a training day. I am not sure what this is and was wondering if anyone here could shed some light please.

From what I have read so far, it consists of a medial and lateral extension coming to the dorm of the foot, similar to a supra malleolar orthosis to encompass the talus. But why would you do this? The papers talk about keeping the talus in subtalar neutral, but my understanding is that subtalar neutral is not really the position you are necessarily aiming for for optimal casting position?!t

Does anyone have any idea on wha this is, and why you would use it?

Thanks very much

 

Thats a blast from the past. I recall reading that one paper all those years ago on the 'talus control orthotic' by Pratt in The Foot in 1993. Since then I have never seen one nor heard of anyone who uses it .... probably because they would hurt so much.

The purpose was to envelope the whole midfoot to prevent the talus abducting and plantarflexing.

Sorry, but I do not think you going to get much help on this as they are just not used.

 

From what you describe l have seen a few used on Children with CP
When they are trying to control foot position and not limit the action/function of the ankle like an AFO would do, an extreme UCBL.

 

Ah, the old assignment given by someone who doesn't understand the topic problem. At least part of your presentation has to be to define the issue. Or better, restate the problem and then tell them how to treat what your definition is. My assumption is that you need "talar control" when there is too much internal rotation of the talus. You could go into how STJ pronation causes internal talar rotation and there are many ways to treat STJ pronation. Medial heel skvie orthoses. AFO with medial strap (see Ritchie brace) etc.

Good luck with the presentation. At least you will be forced to learn a bit about the subject.

Eric