Differential Diagnosis –  Bracer vs Releaser (The table to the left delineates these two extremes.  However, most patients lay somewhere in between.)

Bracer denotes an extreme state of increased muscular tonus (hypertonicity). (Insole wear pattern of a Severe Bracer)

Releaser denotes an extreme state of decreased muscular tonus (hypotonicity).  Muscles act in chains, not independently.  Thus a tonicity change in a specific muscle reflects a tonicity change in the entire chain.

The contour (shape) of the inner longitudinal arch reflects the tonus pattern within the posterior chain of muscles.  The posterior and anterior chains interact in a reciprocating fashion.  That is, when the posterior chain is braced, the anterior chain is released.  When the posterior chain is released, the anterior chain is braced.

Tonus patterns (releasers vs bracers) linked to postural shifts (posterior vs anterior)

  Bracer's Shoe Wear Pattern

  Foot Xrays - Hypertonic (Bracer) vs Hypotonic (Releaser)


5 Differential Characteristics of a Releaser vs a Bracer (1.6Mb Animated File)