Prevalence of Flat Foot using Plantar Arch Index among Young Adults of Delta State, Nigeria

@#Introduction: Traditionally, feet are classified as high, normal or low arched. Studies on flat foot (pes planus) have been conducted in different ethnic groups in Nigeria but none has been conducted among young Ika adults. This study is therefore aimed at determining the prevalence of flat foot using plantar arch index among young adults of Ika. Methods: A total of 384 subjects comprising 199 females and 185 males aged 18-37 years participated in the study. Foot prints of subjects were obtained using the simple ink and duplicating paper method. The Plantar Arch Index was calculated by dividing the foot prints in three equidistant regions excluding the toes. The index value was the ratio between the area of the mid foot and the total area of the foot print. Descriptive statistics for each variable included mean and standard deviation while statistical tools included independent sample t-tests and paired samples test respectively. Results: After data analyses, the total prevalence of flat foot was 8.6% while a total of 24(6.3%) males had flat foot on their right foot while 16(4.2%) had on their left. However, 14(3.6%) and 12(3.1%) females had flat foot on their right and left foot sides respectively. The prevalence of Pes planus was significantly higher among males (P< 0.05) than their female counterparts on both foot sides. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant difference between flat and normal foot on both foot sides while the difference between flat foot of the right side and that of the left was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Being the first of its kind in Ika, this study is therefore important to the Orthopaedist and Podiatrist in Nigeria for diagnosis and treatment choices of foot deformities amongst young adults of Ika.

Assessment Of Staheli Arch Index In Tribal Children Of Jharkhand State

Pes planus and pes cavus are the two common foot conditions, which fascinate the attention of researchers. Adeviation from normal foot arch structure is associated with unstable gait. This study aims at assessing thestaheli arch index (SAI) of Jharkhand tribal children. This study was carried out on children belonging to varioustribal groups of Ranchi and Angara districts of Jharkhand. Graphical footprints of the study subjects wererecorded and assessed using SPSS-16. The mean right SAI was 0.63 and 0.61 for right and left foot respectively.The mean right SAI was significantly greater than that of left foot. Gender differences in mean SAI was statisticallyinsignificant at p<0.05. The mean SAI of 0.75 and 0.76 at the age of 3:<4 years was reduced to 0.64 and 0.61 by14:<15 years age for right and left foot respectively. There was insignificant correlation of SAI with age and bodymass index (p < 0.05).

Biomechanic Analysis of Lower Extremities in Children and Teenagers with Pes Planus

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the biomechanics of young patients with flat foot or malalignment syndrome of lower extremities and to provide some information and strategies in examining and treating them for other researchers or successive studies. METHOD: Between January 2004 and March 2006, 274 patients were engaged who had been diagnosed as flatfoot in 586 patients aged between 0 and 18. All patients were examined physically by one physiatrist to find other biomechanic abnormalities of lower extremities and to measure resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP) angle, bimalleolar angle (BMA). To detect the existence of scoliosis and the difference in leg length, radiographs were taken of the spine and the lower extremities. Flat foot was defined as when either of the feet had lower than -4degrees degrees of RCSP angle. RESULTS: When comparing the value of RCSP angle between right side and left side, the left side was more pronated than the right side. The value of RCSP angle increased in proportion to age but there are other factors that caused the persistence of foot pronation and ligament laxity. The value of BMA tends to increase in proportion to age. The foot was more pronated, the tibia of the same side was more rotated internally and tibia of the other side was more rotated externally. The most common combined biomechanic abnormality of lower extremities was toe-in gait. CONCLUSION: Because the biomechanic effect of a foot could influence the leg, pelvis of the same side and the other side lower extremity, the flat foot should be regarded as an element of malalignment syndrome, anatomical abnormality, and also functional impairment.

Change of Radiologic Indicators during Putting Foot Orthosis on Flatfoot in Children with Cerebral Palsy

OBJECTIVE: To identify change of the radiologic indicators known to reflect height of medial longitudinal arch between with and without foot orthosis on flatfoot in children with cerebral palsy. METHOD: 15 children with cerebral palsy, which were diagnosed as pes planus by bio-mechanical examination and foot print test, were participated in this study. Initial radiologic study (foot anteroposterior and lateral view with standing position) had been done with shoe only and then second radiologic study with shoe and foot orthosis as same method. 3 months after, third radiologic study were performed with shoe only. Radiologic indicators were measured at each radiologic studies. Radiologic indicators measured at intial study were compared with both second and third study. RESULTS: In comparing initial radiologic study with second, consistently changed radiologic indicators toward corrective direction were calcaneometatarsal angle, navicular height, arch height ratio, arch height angle, talometatarsal angle in anteroposterior view. The other five indicators were variable in increase or decrease of change. There were no interval changes of radiologic indicators comparing at initial study with third study. CONCLUSION: Calcaneometatarsal angle, arch height ratio, arch height angle, and talometatarsal angle were consistently changed, simply measurable radiologic indicators for evaluation of pes planus in children with cerebral palsy.