Assessment Of Staheli Arch Index In Tribal Children Of Jharkhand State

ABSTRACT

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).