Ageing feet and plantar arch characteristics of the Thai elderly

ABSTRACT

Background: Ageing feet may lead to painful deformity and disability. There are different patterns of degenerative changes among each population. Objectives: To determine the prevalence, characteristics, and related factors of ageing foot disorders in healthy Thai older persons. Methods: A cross-section analytic study was done at the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, during September 2006 – August 2007. Healthy volunteers aged between 60-80 years old were recruited from urban areas of Bangkok. Medical status, musculoskeletal foot problems, plantar arch, and footwear used were assessed. Footprints were taken from standing, weight bearing position, and calculated for Staheli arch index. Factors for the foot disorders were analyzed. Results: There were 108 men and 105 women with a mean age = 68.7±5.4 years, mean body mass index (BMI) = 24.6±3.4 kg/m². Foot deformities were 87% (hallux valgus 45.5%, mallet toe 45%, hammer toe 25%, and claw toe 21.5%). Hallux valgus was more severe in women, having arch index value increasing with the severity. No other demographic or biomechanical variables including footwear types were found associated with foot deformities. More than 85% of the subjects had foot callus related to deformities and tight shoes. Thirty subjects (14%) had foot pain (1/5 of women, 1/20 of men). The pain resulted from plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, callus, metatarsalgia, and improper footwear. Subjects with plantar fasciitis had higher BMI and higher arch index. Pes planus were more common in women (42% vs. 32%). Only 9% had pes cavus, all of when were men. The Staheli arch index showed good reliability in discriminating the plantar arch types. Conclusions: Ageing feet caused problems, mostly in women. Hallux valgus related to pes planus. Plantar fasciitis associated with overweight and pes planus.