EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF FOOT AND ANKLE DISORDERS - PRESENT PROBLEMS AND FUTURE-DIRECTIONS

Recent research has raised serious concerns regarding the reliability and validity of the evaluation and treatment scheme proposed by Root e t al. Although the Root et al theory is widely referenced in the physi cal therapy literature and commonly taught in continuing education cou rses, current issues of concern include: 1) measurement technique reli ability, 2) the criteria proposed for normal foot alignment, and 3) th e position of the subtalar joint between midstance and heel-off during walking. The intent of this paper is to review these three problem ar eas which have been identified with the Root et al theory as well as t o propose the use of a ''tissue stress model'' which the authors have found to be an effective alternative for evaluating and treating foot disorders.