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making connections to lymphatic diseases, to assess any differences in their effectiveness:
1) orthotics were made from the podiatric print and compensatory wedges added to them depending on requirements.
Based on the end use of the orthotic, different materials are used for the base, as are different thicknesses for the compensatory materials added.
2) orthotics are obtained from the plaster cast using special materials which, having been previously heat moulded and inserted together with the mould in a vacuum pump, take on the shape of it.
After cooling, the resulting shape is trimmed and adapted to the footwear size of the individual and the mid sole is also shaped to obtain the desired thickness.
RESUL TS
During the final checks, each of the individuals participating in this research was asked some questions. The answers to those questions made it possible to compile a brief questionnaire which resulted in some interesting points for consideration.
The individuals were asked to succinctly express their opinion on their degree of satisfaction and to communicate their perceptions in relation to how quickly they tired, muscular tension and the difficulty in walking they experienced following the introduction of the orthotic.
In the questionnaire, which provided confirmation and approval, there was also room for objective assessment on the degree of compliance displayed by the patients themselves towards the orthotic proposed.
93.8% of the individuals assessed displayed a very positive degree of compliance with this research as well as with the orthotic provided, using it in the way it was intended.
Of course, over the course of this research, none of the individuals suspended their existing pharmacological therapy and physiotherapy already taking place, including any specific manual lymphatic drainage sessions and the use of compression supports.
50% of the patients expressed a sensation of increased balance when standing still and an improvement in balance when walking. In 50% a reduction in the sense of fatigue of the limbs and a perceivable reduction in the extent of hyperkeratosis were associated with the orthotics.
46.8% of individuals claimed that the perception of lower muscle strain, particularly when static, was connected to the good fit of the orthotic in their footwear.
In 40.6% of cases a perceivable, although minimal, reduction of the oedema was observed. It was not possible, however, to attribute this reduction solely to the use of the orthotic in that other factors, for example, favourable air temperature or the particularly good state of physical health of the patient, could have impacted on the measurement and contributed, even momentarily, to the reduction.
84.4% of participants expressed their sincere appreciation, happily choosing to continue to wear the orthotic after the end of the research.
The considerable quantity of information gathered made up the basis of the database from which the results and percentages needed for the research were then extrapolated.
The processing of the substantial amount of data generated many charts, which, when analysed, produced some significant statistical results.
Specifically, following the
variations were recorded:
An increase of
An increase of
left foot
An increase of right foot
• A decrease of the left foot
• A decrease of the right foot
15.50% 19.30%
17.30% 16.90% 17.90%
in the static contact surface
in the dynamic contact surface of the
in the dynamic contact surface of the in the maximum dynamic pressure of in the maximum dynamic pressure of
insertion of the orthotic, the following
The research, although limited to a few individuals, suggests the extent to which an improvement in the initial conditions is perceivable through the use of orthotic devices for the treatment of lymphatic diseases.
At the same time, it draws the conclusion that one type of orthotic is not favoured over another in the treatment of lymphatic diseases.
In order to obtain positive results, the identification of an orthotic treatment must be tailored to the specific needs of the individual in question.
If an orthotic is well made, it will aid better distribution of body weight over both limbs and will compensate for the change in posture or gait which would lead to aggravation of the pre-existing malfunction of the lympho-venous system.
DISCUSSION
The aim of this study was to determine the frequency with which the use of an orthotic, through its provision of correct podiatric support, can aid in making the lymphatic disease development sustainable and improve the symptomatic and functional elements in the affected individual. [21]
As part of the same study, we wanted to identify whether one type of orthotic is favourable over another in providing adequate orthotic support and leading to a better result for the patient.
The advantages achieved by contact between the foot and the ground through the use of an orthotic were assessed using a static load.
The results obtained have shown how the presence of an orthotic allows the pressure on the foot to be redistributed in the front area, perceivably reducing the peripheral pressure, which, in many diseases, is the cause of the onset of skin lesions.
During the final examinations, which took place after differing amounts of time depending on the availability of the individuals and despite it not having been possible to ensure that the orthotics
THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LYMPHOLOGY - Vol. XXIX - Nr. 75 - 2017
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