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

Podiatrists in NZ frequently use FLWs. These were generally manufactured from 3-mm, medium-density ethyl vinyl acetate and positioned from the calcaneocuboid joint to the sulcus. The most common rationales for use were to increase first metatarsophalangeal joint range of motion, shift the center of pressure medially, and balance the foot. A discordance was found between the theories of foot function on which clinicians placed the greatest importance and the biomechanical outcomes they thought were being achieved. Survey data also highlighted inconsistency in the nomenclature used to describe FLW thickness and inclination.