During this study, we examined the effects of using molded orthotics on persons who had suffered an inversion ankle sprain. We assessed standing balance with a digital balance evaluator for a group of subjects who has no history of ankle sprains and for a group for nine subjects with acute ankle sprains. Then, we assessed the subjective pain experience by ten subjects with acute ankle sprains while they jogged. During each part of the study, we tested the subjects while they were using a molded orthotic, and unmolded orthotic, and no orthotic in their shoes. We alternated the order of these treatments with each consecutive subject. The results indicate that subjects with a history of recent inversion ankle sprains has poorer balance than uninjured subjects. Molded orthotics had no effect on balance scores in the uninjured group, but their use improved balance scores in the ankle sprain group. Unmolded orthotics did not improve balance scores. Molded orthotics helped to decrease ankle pain during jogging for those with an ankle sprain, but unmolded orthotics did not. These findings suggest that molded orthotics may play a role in the treatment of inversion ankle sprains.

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