Evaluation of Foot Deformity according to the Occupational Condition in the Labor of the Industry

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between each variable on occupational condition and foot deformity by Harris mat footprint. METHOD: Subjects were 227 labors having no neurologic or musculoskeletal problems. They were evaluated by clinical history and Harris mat footprint. Three optional parameters of footprints were medial arch angle, metatatarsal arch grade, and hallux valgus angle. RESULTS: 1) Hallux valgus angles were significantly increased in group of female, above 39 years old, labor, and duration of duty more than 6 years. 2) Medial arch angles were significantly decreased in female, above 39 years old, obese person, and labor. 3) Metatarsal arch grades were significantly increased in group of female, above 39 years old, and more than 20 numbers of conveyance, less than 6 years of duration of duty. Foot pain was not related to medial arch angle, metatatarsal arch grade, and hallux valgus angle, respectively. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that deformity of foot were related to female, above 39 years old, obese person, position of duty, duration of duty, and standing time. So these peoples maybe helpful for weaning proper modified shoes.

A Diagnostic Significance of Simple X-ray Examination for Children's Flatfoot in Footprint

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference for each variable on plain radiologic study of the foot between weighted and non-weighted routine plain anterior-posterior and lateral views in flatfoot children diagnosed by Harris mat footprint. METHOD: Both feet of thirty-four children over two-year old, who had been diagnosed as flatfooted by modified Rose' classification using Harris mat footprint were included. We studied plain roentgenogram images, including anterior-posterior and lateral views, in both standing (weighted) and sitting (non weighted) position of the feet of the patients. We measured the following variables; arch height (AH), calcaneal pitch (CP), talocalcaneal angles from lateral view (TCALA) and anterior-posterior view (TCAAP), talo-first metatarsal angles from the lateral (TFML) and anterior-posterior view (TFMA). RESULTS: Each variable revealed no significant difference between boys and girls (p>0.05); neither was there any significant difference noted in each parameter between the right and left feet (p>0.05). All the variables of plain foot roentgenogram on weighted state were significantly different from the data of non-weighted state, except TCAAP (p<0.05). CP was the only parameter which showed significant difference according to severity of flatfoot by modified Rose'classification. CONCLUSION: Because most of the flatfoot in childhood is hypermobile type, it is necessary to take plain radiologic studies of the feet both in weighted and non weighted state and to compare both data of each variable. In addition, it is prefer to use plain radiologic study of foot both in weighted and non weighted state with footprint as the screening method of pediatric flatfoot lesions.

A Method of Analyzing Footprint Using the Harris Mat for Diabetic Foot Lesion

Deformity due to the diabetic foot causes repetitive and excessive pressure to the certain areas of a foot, which may result in ulcers and pains. Therefore, it is necessary to measure the pressure of the sole for the prevention and management of the diabetic foot lesions. The computerized foot scan system is one of the direct methods to measure the excessive pressure from the deformity of a foot. However, it is not usually affordable in a developing country due to its high cost, space occupancy, and lack of trained personnel. Manual counting using Harris mat is another rather affordable method, however it has problem of the time consumption for a quantitative measure and poor in reproducibility. The purposes of this study were to obtain the objective and quantitative data from Harris mat footprints of diabetic patients by using Paint Shop Pro and to apply the same method to the patients with other foot lesions. Fifty three cases(twenty four males and, twenty nine females) who were referred due to the diabetic foot lesions were evaluated. The average age was 56.62+/-8.03 years and the duration of diabetes mellitus was 104.93+/-79.53 months. By the Paint Shop Pro , the highest pressure was recorded at the first toe(thirteen cases), followed by the calcaneal area (also thirteen cases) and the first metatarsal head area (seven cases) in order of the right foot. Of the left foot, the highest pressure was recorded at the first toe (fourteen cases), followed by the calcaneal area(twelve cases) and the third metatarsal head area(nine cases). By the manual analysis, the highest pressure was recorded at the calcaneal area (thirteen cases), followed by the first toe(ten cases) and the fifth metatarsal head area (six cases) in order of the right foot. Of the left foot, the highest pressure site was the first toe(fourteen cases), followed by the calcaneal area(fifteen cases) and the third matatarsal head area(seven cases) in order of pressure level. Based on these results, we have concluded that the Paint Shop Pro analysis method is an easy and inexpensive foot pressure measurement system which is clinically applicable. However further researches for the test-retest reliability and a comparison with the computerized foot scan system would be required for the standardization of this method.