Bonanno et al. 2017, Foot orthoses and shock-absorbing insoles for injury prevention

Bonanno DR, Landorf KB, Munteanu SE, Murley GS, Menz HB. “Effectiveness of foot orthoses and shock-absorbing insoles for the prevention of injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis.” British Journal of Sports Medicine 2017;51(2):86-96.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of prevention trials, largely in military recruits. Foot orthoses reduced overall injuries (risk ratio 0.72) and stress fractures, but not soft-tissue injuries. Shock-absorbing insoles were not effective for preventing any injury. Trial quality was variable, the populations were mostly military rather than recreational runners, and the authors note the estimates are imprecise. Evidence that orthoses prevent injury is therefore real but weak and population-limited.