ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether any relationships exist between the presence of flatfoot and ultrasonographic morphometric findings of Achilles tendon in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 30 pediatric patients with a mean age of 11.96±2.44 (SD) years (range: 9-16 years) with flexible flatfoot and 29 healthy pediatric controls who were matched for age and served as a control group. Demographic data of both groups such as age, height and weight, and anthropometric measurements including leg length and, length and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon on ultrasonography were tabulated. Relationships between the cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon and flatfoot and the other parameters were searched for using backward multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: No associations between flatfoot and length and cross-sectional area of the Achilles tendon, age, height, leg and foot length were found. A negative correlation was found between the cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon and presence of flatfoot (Beta=-4.93, P=0.01) and age (Beta=-1.96, P=0.04). A positive correlation was found between the cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon and shoe size (Beta=2.13, P=0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Flatfoot, shoe size, age and weight must be kept in mind as a clue for a thinner Achilles tendon morphometry which can be a risk factor in lower limb pathologies.
