Evaluación comparativa del pie plano en preescolares / Comparative assessment of flatfoot in preschool children

Resumen Introducción: El aumento o la reducción del arco longitudinal medial (ALM) puede afectar funciones esenciales en la biomecánica del pie, con repercusiones en la salud a largo plazo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue determinar la altura del ALM en niños de 3 a 6 años, a través de cinco métodos de análisis de huella para el diagnóstico de pie plano. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio observacional transversal con 367 niños de 3 a 6 años en un municipio del Estado de México. Se llevó a cabo una evaluación postural completa, plantoscopía por medio de la clasificación de Viladot y análisis de la huella en pedigrafía, calculando la altura del ALM mediante el ángulo de Clarke (AC), el índice de Staheli (IS), el índice de Chippaux-Smirak (ICS) y el ángulo gamma (Ag). Resultados: La prevalencia de pie plano utilizando el podoscopio fue del 57.7%. Mediante los ángulos y los índices, la prevalencia fue del 86.9% por IS, del 83.3% por ICS, del 95.9% por AC y del 22.3% por Ag. El Ag fue menos sensible para la detección de pie plano en comparación con el ICS, el IS y el AC. Conclusiones: De acuerdo con los resultados del presente estudio, se propone utilizar métodos de análisis de huella para el diagnóstico de pie plano, además de la valoración clásica con el podoscopio. Se recomienda incluir el diagnóstico y la vigilancia del pie plano en la consulta del niño sano, ya que desde edades tempranas puede detectarse la tendencia en la arquitectura podálica.

Abstract Background: The increase or reduction of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) can affect essential functions in the foot biomechanics with long-term health consequences. The aim of the present study was to determine the height of the MLA in children from 3 to 6 years of age through five methods of footprint analysis for the diagnosis of flat foot. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted with 367 children aged 3 to 6 years in a municipality of the State of Mexico. We conducted a complete postural evaluation, plantoscopy by Viladot classification, and footprint analysis calculating the height of the ALM using the Clarke angle (CA), the Staheli index (SI), the Chippaux-Smirak index (CSM), and the gamma angle (gA). Results: The prevalence of flat feet using the podoscope was 57.7%. Through the angles and indexes, the prevalence was 86.9% for SI, 83.3% for CSI, 95.9% for CA, and 22.3% for gA. The gA was less sensitive for flat foot detection compared to CSI, SI and CA. Conclusions: Based on the present results, we propose that footprint analysis should be used for flat foot diagnosis besides the classic evaluation by podoscope. We recommend that flat foot diagnosis and surveillance should be included on in the consultation of the healthy child, as a trend for podalic architecture can be detected from early ages.

Comparisons of Accuracy of Knee Joint Motion During Closed verse Open Kinetic Chain Tasks in Subjects with Flexible Flatfeet

PURPOSE: This study examined the effects of flexible flatfeet on the accuracy of knee joint motions in closed and open kinetic chain tasks. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy participants were recruited for this study. The subjects were divided into two groups using a navicular drop (ND) test: flexible flatfoot group (n=12, male: 6, aged 22.00±2.22 years) and age-matched control group (n=12, males: 6, aged 22.17±1.53 years). The accuracy of knee motion was measured quantitatively by tracing through the flexion and extension motion of the knee joints in the closed kinetic chain and the open kinetic chain. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in the accuracy index between the groups in closed kinetic chain task, but there was no significant difference in the open kinetic chain task. In addition, there was a significant difference in the accuracy index between the closed kinetic chain and the open kinetic chain task in the flexible flatfoot group. In addition, a significant negative correlation was observed between the ND and accuracy index in the closed kinematic chain task, but there was no significant relationship between the ND and accuracy index in the open kinematic chain task. CONCLUSION: Flexible flatfeet can affect the accuracy of the adjacent joints, such as the knee joint in the closed kinematic chain.