Beliefs About and Use of Forefoot Lateral Wedging in Podiatric Medical Practice: A Survey of Podiatric Physicians in New Zealand

• DOI: 10.7547/22-022
• Publication Date: 2025-03-24T13:42:21Z
• Authors: Aaron Jackson; Kelly Sheerin; Duncan Reid; Matthew R. Carroll
• Keywords: Podiatrist; Podiatry; Foot (prosody)

Background: Evidence is limited exploring the beliefs and application of forefoot lateral wedges (FLWs) in clinical practice by podiatric physicians. We aimed to understand rationale that guide use FLWs among podiatrists. Methods: A cross-sectional study New Zealand (NZ) podiatrists was conducted between May 31 July 26, 2021. Data were collected anonymously using a Web-based survey platform. The 30-item included questions elicit participant characteristics, why when used orthosis modifications, what biomechanical assumptions influenced decision-making, how fabricated placed FLWs. Results: Of 65 completers, most trained NZ (90.8%), had more than 10 years’ experience (70.8%), worked with mixed case load (60.0%); 77.3% prescribed zero ten foot orthoses per week, 44% prescriptions. Peroneal tendon injuries chronic ankle instability likely be treated common belief increase first metatarsophalangeal joint range motion (86.2%). regularly manufactured from 3-mm (73.8%), medium-density ethyl vinyl acetate (92.9%) positioned calcaneocuboid (54.8%) sulcus (78.6%). Conclusions: Podiatrists frequently These generally 3-mm, sulcus. rationales for motion, shift center pressure medially, balance foot. discordance found theories function on which clinicians greatest importance outcomes they thought being achieved. Survey data also highlighted inconsistency nomenclature describe FLW thickness inclination.