The natural history and pathophysiology of flexible flatfoot

Morphological and evolutionary insights into the keystone element of the human foot's medial longitudinal arch

The evolution of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) is one of the most impactful adaptations in the hominin foot that emerged with bipedalism. When and how it evolved in the human lineage is still unresolved. Complicating the issue, clinical definitions of flatfoot in living Homo sapiens have not reached a consensus. Here we digitally investigate the navicular morphology of H. sapiens (living, archaeological, and fossil), great apes, and fossil hominins and its correlation with the MLA. A distinctive navicular shape characterises living H. sapiens with adult acquired flexible flatfoot, while the congenital flexible flatfoot exhibits a 'normal' navicular shape. All H. sapiens groups differentiate from great apes independently from variations in the MLA, likely because of bipedalism. Most australopith, H. naledi, and H. floresiensis navicular shapes are closer to those of great apes, which is inconsistent with a human-like MLA and instead might suggest a certain degree of arboreality. Navicular shape of OH 8 and fossil H. sapiens falls within the normal living H. sapiens spectrum of variation of the MLA (including congenital flexible flatfoot and individuals with a well-developed MLA). At the same time, H. neanderthalensis seem to be characterised by a different expression of the MLA.

Efficacy of Faradic Foot Baths and Short Foot Exercises in Symptomatic Flatfoot: A Review

Flatfoot is a common condition among adults, according to orthopedic experts. Flatfoot is defined in this document as a foot condition that occurs after the completion of skeletal growth and is characterized by either partial or complete reduction of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of short foot exercise (SFE) and faradic foot baths on people who have flat feet. This review focused on comprehensive original primary articles written in English. Numerous studies have been conducted in order to determine the effects of both interventions. The search yielded a wide range of papers, including editorials, review articles, freely available full texts, and abstracts. The results showed that both SFE and faradic foot baths effectively improved flat feet.

Cinderella's misery: The wretched human foot

Human foot has outdistanced a long way from climbing to trees to walking all day long, within a relatively short period. Today, we are suffering from a number of aching foot problems and deformities as compromises to transition from quadripedalism to bipedalism, which is perhaps the sole derivative of the modern human being. In today's modern environment, the choice between being chic or healthy is a difficult decision to make, consequently our feet ache. To cope with such evolutionary mismatches we only need to adopt our ancestors' receipt: wearing minimal shoes, walking and squatting as much as we can.

Efficacy of Plantar Orthoses in Paediatric Flexible Flatfoot: A Five-Year Systematic Review

Paediatric flexible flatfoot (PFF) is a very common condition and a common concern among parents and various healthcare professionals. There is a multitude of conservative and surgical treatments, with foot orthoses (FO) being the first line of treatment due to their lack of contraindications and because the active participation of the child is not required, although the evidence supporting them is weak. It is not clear what the effect of FO is, nor when it is advisable to recommend them. PFF, if left untreated or uncorrected, could eventually cause problems in the foot itself or adjacent structures. It was necessary to update the existing information on the efficacy of FO as a conservative treatment for the reduction in signs and symptoms in patients with PFF, to know the best type of FO and the minimum time of use and to identify the diagnostic techniques most commonly used for PFF and the definition of PFF. A systematic review was carried out in the databases PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, Cochrane, SCOPUS and PEDro using the following strategy: randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) on child patients with PFF, compared to those treated with FO or not being treated, assessing the improvement of signs and symptoms of PFF. Studies in which subjects had neurological or systemic disease or had undergone surgery were excluded. Two of the authors independently assessed study quality. PRISMA guidelines were followed, and the systematic review was registered in PROSPERO: CRD42021240163. Of the 237 initial studies considered, 7 RCTs and CCTs published between 2017 and 2022 met the inclusion criteria, representing 679 participants with PFF aged 3-14 years. The interventions of the included studies differed in diagnostic criteria, types of FO and duration of treatment, among others. All articles conclude that FO are beneficial, although the results must be taken with caution due to the risk of bias of the included articles. There is evidence for the efficacy of FO as a treatment for PFF signs and symptoms. There is no treatment algorithm. There is no clear definition for PFF. There is no ideal type of FO, although all have in common the incorporation of a large internal longitudinal arch.

Percutaneous minimal invasive Achilles tendon lengthening improves clinical and radiographic outcomes in severe flexible flatfeet with shortened triceps sureae complex in early childhood: A retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Severe flexible flatfeet with triceps surae complex shortening are prognostically unfavorable in early childhood and may compromise normal foot development.

METHODS

This retrospective, IRB-approved study included 20 children (38 feet) under 6 years with severe flexible flatfeet and triceps surae complex shortening. Treatment included minimally invasive percutaneous achilles tendon lengthening followed by a 4-week cast fixation and corrective orthotic therapy under talo-navicular reposition for at least 6-months. Preoperative weightbearing x-rays and at the last available follow-up included anteroposterior talus-first metatarsal angle and lateral talus pitch, Meary's and talocalcaneal angle and were compared to reference values. ROM, surgeon-rated clinical outcomes and complications/re-interventions were evaluated.

RESULTS

Age at surgery was 3.7 years (1.3-5.9 y) and follow-up time was 4.3 years (1.1-8.9 y). No complications occurred. Clinical outcome was good (68 %) to very good (26 %). Ratio of normal angles increased significantly for three angles. Dorsiflexion ROM improved from -5.0 ± 6.8° at baseline to 15.7 ± 7.6°.

CONCLUSIONS

With significant improvements in clinical and radiographic outcomes, minimal-invasive percutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening followed by orthotic therapy seems to be a valuable treatment option for selected preschool-aged patients with severe, flexible flatfeet with significantly shortened triceps surae.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Prevalence of flatfoot among young Korean males and the correlation among flatfoot angles measured in weight-bearing lateral radiographs

Flatfoot causes significant fatigue and pain while walking, and even asymptomatic flatfoot may increase the risk of metatarsal stress fracture during long-distance walking. While most studies have used physical examination or plantar footprints to diagnose flatfoot, a weight-bearing radiograph of the foot provides more objective data. However, data on the prevalence of flatfoot in Asian populations gathered in a nationwide cohort of a specific age group is lacking. We examined the prevalence of flatfoot among 19-year-old male Korean army recruits using a weight-bearing lateral radiograph and evaluated the correlation among flatfoot angles. A total of 560,141 19-year-old Korean males were examined at the regional Military Manpower Administration offices between April 2018 and April 2020. Weight-bearing lateral radiographs of the foot were obtained using an X-ray system while the subjects were standing on a table with their feet in a neutral position. Based on these radiographs, military orthopedic surgeons and radiologists measured the talo-first metatarsal angle (TMA) and calcaneal pitch angle (CPA) for flatfoot diagnosis. Mild flatfoot was diagnosed when the TMA ranged from 6 to 15° or the CPA was <17°, and moderate-to-severe flatfoot was diagnosed when the TMA was 15° or greater or the CPA was <10°. Pearson correlation coefficients and scatter plot matrix were used to evaluate the correlation among the flatfoot angles. Finally, we evaluated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and flatfoot angles and compared the BMI in subjects with or without self-checked foot deformities including flatfoot and pes cavus. Of the 560,141 subjects, 16,102 (2.9%) were diagnosed as flatfoot, and 5265 (0.9%) were diagnosed with moderate-to-severe flatfoot. The coefficients between TMA and CPA ranged from 0.342 to 0.449 (all P values < 0.001), and those between the 2 sides of TMA and CPA were 0.709 and 0.746 (all P values < 0.001), respectively. BMI had a significant correlation with both TMA and CPA in subjects with flatfoot, and those with self-checked foot deformities had a significantly higher BMI than the group without foot deformities. The prevalence of total flatfoot and moderate-to-severe flatfoot in 19-year-old Korean males based on a weight-bearing lateral radiograph was 2.9% and 0.9%, respectively. The correlation coefficients between TMAs and CPAs showed a low degree of positive correlation. Higher BMI was associated with the likelihood of the presence of flatfoot.

Foot orthoses for treating paediatric flat feet

BACKGROUND

Paediatric flat feet are a common presentation in primary care; reported prevalence approximates 15%. A minority of flat feet can hurt and limit gait. There is no optimal strategy, nor consensus, for using foot orthoses (FOs) to treat paediatric flat feet.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of foot orthoses for treating paediatric flat feet.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase to 01 September 2021, and two clinical trials registers on 07 August 2020.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We identified all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of FOs as an intervention for paediatric flat feet. The outcomes included in this review were pain, function, quality of life, treatment success, and adverse events. Intended comparisons were: any FOs versus sham, any FOs versus shoes, customised FOs (CFOs) versus prefabricated FOs (PFOs).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We followed standard methods recommended by Cochrane.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 16 trials with 1058 children, aged 11 months to 19 years, with flexible flat feet. Distinct flat foot presentations included asymptomatic, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), symptomatic and developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD). The trial interventions were FOs, footwear, foot and rehabilitative exercises, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Due to heterogeneity, we did not pool the data. Most trials had potential for selection, performance, detection, and selective reporting bias. No trial blinded participants. We present the results separately for asymptomatic (healthy children) and symptomatic (children with JIA) flat feet. The certainty of evidence was very low to low, downgraded for bias, imprecision, and indirectness. Three comparisons were evaluated across trials: CFO versus shoes; PFO versus shoes; CFO versus PFO. Asymptomatic flat feet 1. CFOs versus shoes (1 trial, 106 participants): low-quality evidence showed that CFOs result in little or no difference in the proportion without pain (10-point visual analogue scale (VAS)) at one year (risk ratio (RR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67 to 1.07); absolute decrease (11.8%, 95% CI 4.7% fewer to 15.8% more); or on withdrawals due to adverse events (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.19); absolute effect (3.4% more, 95% CI 4.1% fewer to 13.1% more). 2. PFOs versus shoes (1 trial, 106 participants): low to very-low quality evidence showed that PFOs result in little or no difference in the proportion without pain (10-point VAS) at one year (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.16); absolute effect (4.7% fewer, 95% CI 18.9% fewer to 12.6% more); or on withdrawals due to adverse events (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.23). 3. CFOs versus PFOs (1 trial, 108 participants): low-quality evidence found no difference in the proportion without pain at one year (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.18); absolute effect (7.4% fewer, 95% CI 22.2% fewer to 11.1% more); or on withdrawal due to adverse events (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.12). Function and quality of life (QoL) were not assessed. Symptomatic (JIA) flat feet 1. CFOs versus shoes (1 trial, 28 participants, 3-month follow-up): very low-quality evidence showed little or no difference in pain (0 to 10 scale, 0 no pain) between groups (MD -1.5, 95% CI -2.78 to -0.22). Low-quality evidence showed improvements in function with CFOs (Foot Function Index - FFI disability, 0 to 100, 0 best function; MD -18.55, 95% CI -34.42 to -2.68), child-rated QoL (PedsQL, 0 to 100, 100 best quality; MD 12.1, 95% CI -1.6 to 25.8) and parent-rated QoL (PedsQL MD 9, 95% CI -4.1 to 22.1) and little or no difference between groups in treatment success (timed walking; MD -1.33 seconds, 95% CI -2.77 to 0.11), or withdrawals due to adverse events (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.11 to 2.94); absolute difference (9.7% fewer, 20.5 % fewer to 44.8% more). 2. PFOs versus shoes (1 trial, 25 participants, 3-month follow-up): very low-quality evidence showed little or no difference in pain between groups (MD 0.02, 95% CI -1.94 to 1.98). Low-quality evidence showed no difference between groups in function (FFI-disability MD -4.17, 95% CI -24.4 to 16.06), child-rated QoL (PedsQL MD -3.84, 95% CI -19 to 11.33), or parent-rated QoL (PedsQL MD -0.64, 95% CI -13.22 to 11.94). 3. CFOs versus PFOs (2 trials, 87 participants): low-quality evidence showed little or no difference between groups in pain (0 to 10 scale, 0 no pain) at 3 months (MD -1.48, 95% CI -3.23 to 0.26), function (FFI-disability MD -7.28, 95% CI -15.47 to 0.92), child-rated QoL (PedsQL MD 8.6, 95% CI -3.9 to 21.2), or parent-rated QoL (PedsQL MD 2.9, 95% CI -11 to 16.8).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Low to very low-certainty evidence shows that the effect of CFOs (high cost) or PFOs (low cost) versus shoes, and CFOs versus PFOs on pain, function and HRQoL is uncertain. This is pertinent for clinical practice, given the economic disparity between CFOs and PFOs. FOs may improve pain and function, versus shoes in children with JIA, with minimal delineation between costly CFOs and generic PFOs. This review updates that from 2010, confirming that in the absence of pain, the use of high-cost CFOs for healthy children with flexible flat feet has no supporting evidence, and draws very limited conclusions about FOs for treating paediatric flat feet. The availability of normative and prospective foot development data, dismisses most flat foot concerns, and negates continued attention to this topic. Attention should be re-directed to relevant paediatric foot conditions, which cause pain, limit function, or reduce quality of life. The agenda for researching asymptomatic flat feet in healthy children must be relegated to history, and replaced by a targeted research rationale, addressing children with indisputable foot pathology from discrete diagnoses, namely JIA, cerebral palsy, congenital talipes equino varus, trisomy 21 and Charcot Marie Tooth. Whether research resources should continue to be wasted on studying flat feet in healthy children that do not hurt, is questionable. Future updates of this review will address only relevant paediatric foot conditions.

Foot orthoses for treating paediatric flat feet

BACKGROUND

Paediatric flat feet are a common presentation in primary care; reported prevalence approximates 15%. A minority of flat feet can hurt and limit gait. There is no optimal strategy, nor consensus, for using foot orthoses (FOs) to treat paediatric flat feet.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of foot orthoses for treating paediatric flat feet.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and Embase to 01 September 2021, and two clinical trials registers on 07 August 2020.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We identified all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of FOs as an intervention for paediatric flat feet. The outcomes included in this review were pain, function, quality of life, treatment success, and adverse events. Intended comparisons were: any FOs versus sham, any FOs versus shoes, customised FOs (CFOs) versus prefabricated FOs (PFOs).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We followed standard methods recommended by Cochrane.

MAIN RESULTS

We included 16 trials with 1058 children, aged 11 months to 19 years, with flexible flat feet. Distinct flat foot presentations included asymptomatic, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), symptomatic and developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD). The trial interventions were FOs, footwear, foot and rehabilitative exercises, and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES). Due to heterogeneity, we did not pool the data. Most trials had potential for selection, performance, detection, and selective reporting bias. No trial blinded participants. We present the results separately for asymptomatic (healthy children) and symptomatic (children with JIA) flat feet. The certainty of evidence was very low to low, downgraded for bias, imprecision, and indirectness. Three comparisons were evaluated across trials: CFO versus shoes; PFO versus shoes; CFO versus PFO. Asymptomatic flat feet 1. CFOs versus shoes (1 trial, 106 participants): low-quality evidence showed that CFOs result in little or no difference in the proportion without pain (10-point visual analogue scale (VAS)) at one year (risk ratio (RR) 0.85, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.67 to 1.07); absolute decrease (11.8%, 95% CI 4.7% fewer to 15.8% more); or on withdrawals due to adverse events (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.94 to 1.19); absolute effect (3.4% more, 95% CI 4.1% fewer to 13.1% more). 2. PFOs versus shoes (1 trial, 106 participants): low to very-low quality evidence showed that PFOs result in little or no difference in the proportion without pain (10-point VAS) at one year (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.76 to 1.16); absolute effect (4.7% fewer, 95% CI 18.9% fewer to 12.6% more); or on withdrawals due to adverse events (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.23). 3. CFOs versus PFOs (1 trial, 108 participants): low-quality evidence found no difference in the proportion without pain at one year (RR 0.93, 95% CI 0.73 to 1.18); absolute effect (7.4% fewer, 95% CI 22.2% fewer to 11.1% more); or on withdrawal due to adverse events (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.90 to 1.12). Function and quality of life (QoL) were not assessed. Symptomatic (JIA) flat feet 1. CFOs versus shoes (1 trial, 28 participants, 3-month follow-up): very low-quality evidence showed little or no difference in pain (0 to 10 scale, 0 no pain) between groups (MD -1.5, 95% CI -2.78 to -0.22). Low-quality evidence showed improvements in function with CFOs (Foot Function Index - FFI disability, 0 to 100, 0 best function; MD -18.55, 95% CI -34.42 to -2.68), child-rated QoL (PedsQL, 0 to 100, 100 best quality; MD 12.1, 95% CI -1.6 to 25.8) and parent-rated QoL (PedsQL MD 9, 95% CI -4.1 to 22.1) and little or no difference between groups in treatment success (timed walking; MD -1.33 seconds, 95% CI -2.77 to 0.11), or withdrawals due to adverse events (RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.11 to 2.94); absolute difference (9.7% fewer, 20.5 % fewer to 44.8% more). 2. PFOs versus shoes (1 trial, 25 participants, 3-month follow-up): very low-quality evidence showed little or no difference in pain between groups (MD 0.02, 95% CI -1.94 to 1.98). Low-quality evidence showed no difference between groups in function (FFI-disability MD -4.17, 95% CI -24.4 to 16.06), child-rated QoL (PedsQL MD -3.84, 95% CI -19 to 11.33), or parent-rated QoL (PedsQL MD -0.64, 95% CI -13.22 to 11.94). 3. CFOs versus PFsO (2 trials, 87 participants): low-quality evidence showed little or no difference between groups in pain (0 to scale, 0 no pain) at 3 months (MD -1.48, 95% CI -3.23 to 0.26), function (FFI-disability MD -7.28, 95% CI -15.47 to 0.92), child-rated QoL (PedsQL MD 8.6, 95% CI -3.9 to 21.2), or parent-rated QoL (PedsQL MD 2.9, 95% CI -11 to 16.8).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Low to very low-certainty evidence shows that the effect of CFOs (high cost) or PFOs (low cost) versus shoes, and CFOs versus PFOs on pain, function and HRQoL is uncertain. This is pertinent for clinical practice, given the economic disparity between CFOs and PFOs. FOs may improve pain and function, versus shoes in children with JIA, with minimal delineation between costly CFOs and generic PFOs. This review updates that from 2010, confirming that in the absence of pain, the use of high-cost CFOs for healthy children with flexible flat feet has no supporting evidence, and draws very limited conclusions about FOs for treating paediatric flat feet. The availability of normative and prospective foot development data, dismisses most flat foot concerns, and negates continued attention to this topic. Attention should be re-directed to relevant paediatric foot conditions, which cause pain, limit function, or reduce quality of life. The agenda for researching asymptomatic flat feet in healthy children must be relegated to history, and replaced by a targeted research rationale, addressing children with indisputable foot pathology from discrete diagnoses, namely JIA, cerebral palsy, congenital talipes equino varus, trisomy 21 and Charcot Marie Tooth. Whether research resources should continue to be wasted on studying flat feet in healthy children that do not hurt, is questionable. Future updates of this review will address only relevant paediatric foot conditions.

Investigation of the Relationships Among Clinical Measures of Foot Posture in Individuals with and Without Pronated Foot

BACKGROUND

Many indirect clinical techniques have been developed to assess foot posture; however, there is relatively little research investigating the relationships among these techniques. We investigated the relationships among the most commonly used clinical measures of foot posture-Foot Posture Index-6 (FPI-6), navicular drop (NDP), navicular drift (NDT), and static and dynamic arch indices (SAI and DAI)-in individuals with normal foot posture and those with pronated foot.

METHODS

Sixty-three individuals with FPI-6 scores of 0 to 12 were included. A digital caliper was used to measure NDP and NDT; SAI and DAI were measured by electronic pedobarography. Assessments were applied on the dominant foot. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationships among measures. Participants were classified into two groups, pronated foot (n = 33) and normal foot posture (n = 30), based on FPI-6 scores, providing a multisegmental and multiplanar assessment. The independent-samples t test was used to compare groups regarding NDP, NDT, SAI, and DAI.

RESULTS

We found a high correlation between NDP and FPI-6 (r = 0.754) and between NDP and NDT (r = 0.778) (all P < .001). A moderate correlation was found between NDT and FPI-6 (r = 0.599) and between DAI and SAI (r = 0.519) (all P < .001). A negligible correlation was found between NDP and DAI (r = 0.268; P = .033). Furthermore, NDP, NDT, and DAI values were higher in individuals with pronated foot compared with those with normal posture (P < .001 for NDP and NDT; P = .022 for DAI), whereas SAI values were not (P = .837).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that there are moderate-to-strong relationships among FPI-6, NDP, and NDT and between SAI and DAI. The NDP, NDT, and DAI are suitable for the classification of foot posture based on FPI-6 scores. This study can guide clinicians and researchers to associate the foot posture measures with each other.

Immediate effect of prefabricated and UCBL foot orthoses on alignment of midfoot and forefoot in young people with symptomatic flexible flatfoot: A radiographic evaluation

BACKGROUND

Radiographic imaging has been considered the gold standard in evaluating the skeletal alignment of the foot in static weightbearing. The effects of foot orthoses on the alignment of foot bones have been mostly evaluated using lateral view x-rays. The posterior-anterior view has not been investigated extensively.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of 2 foot orthoses: University of California Biomechanics Laboratory Orthosis (UCBL) and a prefabricated orthosis (P-FFO) on the alignment of foot bones on anterior-posterior x-rays in young people with symptomatic flexible flatfoot (SFF).

STUDY DESIGN

This is a randomized, crossover study.

METHODS

Fifteen participants (mean [SD], 23.67 ± 2 years) with SFF were randomly imaged in 3 different conditions: shoes only, shoes + P-FFO, and shoes + UCBL. The talonavicular coverage, the first and the second talometatarsal angles, the intermetatarsal angle, and the cuboid abduction angle (CAA) were measured on weightbearing, anterior-posterior x-ray images for each condition.

RESULTS

Both orthotic designs demonstrated a significant reduction in the talonavicular coverage, the first and the second talometatarsal angles, and the CAA compared with the shoe-only condition (P < .001). The talonavicular coverage angle reduced by ∼11% using P-FFO compared with UCBL (P < .005). No significant differences were observed for other angles between the 2 orthotic conditions.

CONCLUSIONS

Both orthotic conditions improved the talonavicular coverage, first and the second talometatarsal angle, and CAA in young people with SFF. The walls of the UCBL orthosis did not result in further correction of the talonavicular coverage angle compared with the prefabricated FFO design.

Anti-pronator components are essential to effectively alter lower-limb kinematics and kinetics in individuals with flexible flatfeet

BACKGROUND

Foot orthoses are commonly used to correct for foot alterations and especially address excessive foot pronation in individuals with flatfeet. In recent years, 3D printing has taken a key place in orthotic manufacturing processes as it offers more options and can be patient specific. Hence, the purpose of this study was to evaluate whether stiffness of 3D printed foot orthoses and a newly designed rearfoot posting have an effect on lower limb kinematics and kinetics in individuals with flatfeet.

METHODS

Nineteen patients with flexible flatfeet were provided two pairs of customized 3D printed ¾ length orthotics. Foot orthoses were of different stiffness and could feature a rearfoot posting, consisting of 2-mm carbon fiber plate. Lower limb kinematics and kinetics were computed using a multi-segment foot model. One-way ANOVAs using statistical non-parametric mapping, refined by effect sizes, were performed to determine the magnitude of the effect between conditions.

FINDINGS

Foot orthoses stiffness had little effect on midfoot and forefoot biomechanics. Reductions in midfoot eversion and forefoot abduction were observed during short periods of stance with rigid foot orthoses. Adding the posting had notable effects on rearfoot kinematics and on the ankle and knee kinetics in the frontal plane; it significantly reduced the eversion angle and inversion moment at the ankle, and increased the knee abduction moment.

INTERPRETATION

Using an anti-pronator component is more effective than increasing foot orthoses stiffness to observe a beneficial impact of foot orthoses on the control of excessive foot pronation in individuals with flatfeet.

Functional characterization of plantar pressure patterns in gait of typically developing children using dynamic pedobarography

BACKGROUND

Abnormal foot posture is a common complaint presented in pediatric and pediatric orthopedic clinics. Functional, objective assessment of foot posture, with the potential for early identification of pathologic foot deformities, has, however, been lacking to date. While quantifying functional and regional impulses via dynamic pedobarography can improve the clinical assessment of children's feet, normative values have not yet been reported or characterized.

RESEARCH QUESTION

The objectives of this study were to: (1) quantify and characterize the pattern and spectrum of foot impulses in walking-aged, typically developing children; and (2) compare these to impulses from non-disabled adults.

METHODS

Foot impulses of 102 participants (52 female) in five pre-determined age groups (2-3, 4-6, 7-10, 11-14, 15-17 years) were examined using dynamic pedobarography. Each pressure map (3 per foot per child) was divided according to anatomical foot regions: the hallux, heel, medial forefoot, lateral forefoot, lesser toes (D2 to D5), and midfoot. The impulse was calculated for each region and used to generate regional percent impulses and impulse ratios to assess anteroposterior and mediolateral balance within the foot.

RESULTS

The impulse through the midfoot was highest in the youngest age group, with a corresponding lower impulse through the medial forefoot. As age advanced, the midfoot impulse decreased (p = 0.001), and the forefoot balance shifted slightly more medially (%Medial Forefoot: p = 0.004; Medial-Lateral Forefoot Balance: p = 0.019). When compared to adults, there were no significant differences between 15-17 year old children and adults in any of the regional percent impulses and impulse ratios. This indicates that skeletal maturity of the foot by late adolescence results in functional characteristics seen in adults.

SIGNIFICANCE

The age-standardized norms of functional and regional impulse measures in children reported in this study can be used as a comparative benchmark in the clinical assessment of children presenting with various foot deformities.

Surgical Treatment of Severe Idiopathic Flexible Flatfoot by Evans-Mosca Technique in Adolescent Patients: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study

Flexible idiopathic flatfoot is very common in growing age and rarely causes pain or disability. Surgery is indicated only in severe symptomatic cases that are resistant to conservative treatment, and numerous surgical procedures have been proposed. Lateral column calcaneal lengthening as described by Evans and modified by Mosca is a widely used surgical technique for the correction of severe symptomatic flexible flatfoot. In the present study, we report the long-term clinical and radiographic results in 14 adolescent patients (mean age: 12.8 years) affected by severe symptomatic flexible flatfoot, surgically treated by Evans–Mosca procedure, for a total of 26 treated feet (12 cases bilateral and 2 unilateral). In all cases, surgery was indicated for the presence of significant symptoms resistant to nonsurgical management. Clinical evaluation was made according to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle-Hindfoot Scale, the Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI) Score, and Yoo et al.'s criteria. Radiographic evaluation was made using anteroposterior and lateral weight-bearing radiographs of the feet to evaluate Meary's angle and Costa–Bertani's angle and to evaluate possible osteoarthritic changes in the midtarsal joints. At follow-up (mean: 7 years and 7 months), we observed a satisfactory result in all patients. The mean average score of the AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot Scale improved from 60.03 points to 95.26; the mean FADI score improved from 71.41 to 97.44; and according to Yoo et al.'s criteria, the average clinical outcome score was 10.96. At radiographic examination, nonunion of the calcaneal osteotomy was never observed. Meary's angle improved from an average preoperative value of 25° to 1.38° at follow-up; Costa–Bertani's angle improved from an average preoperative value of 154.2° to 130.9° at follow-up. In no case, significant radiographic signs of midtarsal joint arthritis were observed. According to our results, we believe that Evans–Mosca technique is a valid option of surgical treatment for severe idiopathic flexible flatfoot and allows a satisfactory correction of the deformity with a low rate of complications.

Quality of Life after Flatfoot Surgery in the Pediatric Population

Flatfoot is a common deformity in the pediatric population and has a multitude of causes. Sometimes, it can be a normal finding in children, and treatment should not be guided only based on the appearance, but rather after thoroughly assessing the patient and the impact it has on the child’s daily life. In this paper, we describe the quality of life that the patients are experiencing after the surgical treatment of this pathology. We made a comparison between the most used techniques for correcting flatfoot and insisted on the postoperative comfort of the patient, rehabilitation, and the time it took to get back to their daily routine. The comparison was made between Mosca calcaneal lengthening osteotomy, Grice extraarticular arthrodesis, arthroereisis and triple arthrodesis of the foot. All of the surgeries were performed by the same doctor at “Grigore Alexandrescu” Emergency Hospital for Children in Bucharest. From the data collected, we propose that newer, minimally invasive techniques could be used in treating this pathology in order to help the patient feel better in the postoperative period and avoid some of the complications regularly encountered when using the old techniques.

Functional and Radiological Outcomes Following Calcaneo-Cuboid-Cuneiform Osteotomy for the Treatment of Planovalgus Feet: A Short-Term Analysis

INTRODUCTION

Flexible flatfoot refers to the loss of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot on weight bearing and is associated with excessive heel eversion or forefoot abduction. Unless symptomatic, flexible flatfeet are best managed non-operatively. The calcaneo-cuboid-cuneiform osteotomy is a procedure that restores the anatomical shape of the foot without arthrodesis of the joints. Our study aims to evaluate the functional and radiological outcomes of patients treated with calcaneo-cuboid-cuneiform osteotomy in patients with planovalgus feet.

METHODOLOGY

A retrospective review of records and radiographs of patients with symptomatic flexible planovalgus feet, who were operated with the calcaneo-cuboid-cuneiform osteotomy by a single senior surgeon in a time period between April 2016 and July 2017 was done. The clinical and radiological outcomes were evaluated in 12 feet in 8 children.

RESULTS

A total of 12 feet in 8 children were operated (6 males and 2 females). Average age of patients was 11 ± 1.27 years; average follow up was 14.7 months ± 2.7 months. Two patients had planovalgus feet secondary to spastic diplegia and 6 had idiopathic planovalgus feet. There was a statistically significant improvement in the pain score as well as the radiographic parameters in all the operated patients.

CONCLUSION

The calcaneo-cuboid-cuneiform osteotomy has potential to give good results for symptomatic planovalgus feet with minimal complications.

Tarsometatarsal bone remodelling after subtalar arthroereisis

PURPOSE

Subtalar arthroereisis has been described for the treatment of flexible juvenile flatfoot. However, the mechanism responsible for deformity correction has not yet been investigated adequately. The aim of this study was to document the effect of subtalar arthroereisis on the tarsometatarsal bone morphology.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and radiological data of 26 patients (45 feet) with juvenile flexible flatfoot deformity treated by subtalar arthroereisis at our department between 2000 and 2018. Radiological evaluation included angular measurements of tarsometatarsal bone morphology as well as hindfoot and midfoot alignment. Mean radiographic follow-up was 19.4 months (sd 8.8; 12 to 41).

RESULTS

A significant change of angular measurements of tarsometatarsal bone morphology was found after subtalar arthroereisis (p < 0.001). While there was an increase of the distal medial cuneiform angle (DMCA) and the medial cuneo-first metatarsal angle on the anteroposterior view, a decrease of the naviculo-medial cuneiform angle and the medial cuneo-first metatarsal angle was seen on the lateral view. Furthermore, we found significant improvements of all hindfoot and midfoot alignment parameters except the lateral tibio-calcaneal angle and the calcaneal pitch angle (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Our data support the theory of tarsometatarsal bone remodelling, which may contribute to the effect of subtalar arthroereisis for the treatment of flexible juvenile flatfoot.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Radiographic and Functional Results following Subtalar Arthroereisis in Pediatric Flexible Flatfoot

Introduction

Flexible flatfoot (FFF) is one of the most common skeletal disorders in children. In symptomatic patients who do not respond to conservative measures, surgery may be an option. Subtalar arthroereisis consists of limiting excessive eversion of the subtalar joint through different types of implants.

Materials and Methods

We carried out a retrospective study of 16 patients (32 feet) intervened for FFF with a subtalar device (arthroereisis), across the period of 2008-2015 with a minimum follow-up period of one year. Pre- and postoperative measures of the Moreau-Costa-Bartani angle, dorsoplantar (DP) and lateral (L) talocalcaneal angle, talonavicular coverage angle, and naviculocuboid overlap were used to evaluate correction of the deformity. Two expert surgeons from the Pediatric Orthopedics Unit took separate measurements of these angles for subsequent analysis purposes and to obtain the interobserver correlation coefficient for quantitative variables. Pre- and postoperative differences in the measurement of angles were ascertained using Student's t-test for paired samples; and a functional evaluation of the patients intervened was carried out pre- and postoperatively by administering the parent version of the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for Children (OxAFQ-C) during a clinical interview. All statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS v. 19.0 program (SPSS, Chicago, IL), with values being deemed statistically significant at p<0.05.

Results

A breakdown of the study population showed 81.25% (13 patients) males and 18.75% (3 patients) females, with mean age of 9 years (7-11). The interobserver coefficient for quantitative variables displayed a very high degree of concordance (0.7-0.9), indicating that the validity of the measures was adequate. Pre- and postoperative analysis of differences in the measurement of angles was statistically significant (p<0.005). In terms of functional evaluation, the postoperative results were positive, with statistical significance for the “school and play”, “emotional”, and “footwear” domains of the OxAFQ-C scale and no differences in the “physical” domain.

Conclusion

Subtalar arthroereisis is a valid option for the treatment of symptomatic pediatric flatfoot, with good postoperative functional and radiographic results.

International normative data for paediatric foot posture assessment: a cross-sectional investigation

OBJECTIVES

The foot posture index (FPI) is an observational tool designed to measure the position of the foot. The objective of this study was to establish international reference data for foot posture across childhood, and influence of body mass index (BMI) on paediatric foot posture.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

The dataset comprised 3217 healthy children, aged from 3 to 15 years. Contributing data were acquired from Spain, UK and Australia.

INTERVENTIONS

Foot posture was described by means and z-score of the FPI and the height and weight of each subject was measured and the BMI was calculated.

RESULTS

The foot posture of 3217 children were reviewed. A pronated (FPI ≥+6) foot posture was found in 960 (29.8%) children, a normal (FPI 0 to +6) foot posture in 1776 (55.2%) and a highly pronated (FPI +10) foot posture was found in 127 children (3.9%) (range -4 to +12 FPI). Less than 11% were found to have a supinated foot type (n=354). Approximately 20% of children were overweight/obese, but correlation between BMI and FPI was weak and inverse (r=-0.066, p<0.01), refuting the relationship between increased body mass and flatfeet.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that the 'flat' or pronated foot is the common foot posture of childhood, with FPI score of +4 (3) the average finding. Trend indicated a less flatfoot with age, although non-linear. A wide normal range of foot posture across childhood is confirmed.

Utility outcome assessment of pes planus deformity

BACKGROUND

Despite being a common condition, there are no objective measures in the literature to reflect the burden of pes planus on affected individuals. Our primary objective was to evaluate this burden by recruiting a sample from the general population using validated utility outcome measures.

METHODS

Participants were recruited online and filled a questionnaire to help measure the health burden of pes planus. Three recognized utility outcome scores were used to compare the health burden of monocular blindness, binocular blindness, and pes planus. These included the standard gamble (SG), time trade-off (TTO), and visual analogue score (VAS). Paired t test, independent t test, and linear regression were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Ninety-two participants were included in the final analysis. The utility outcome scores (VAS, TTO, SG) for pes planus were 73±17, 0.90±0.08, and 0.88±0.12, respectively. The linear regression analysis showed that age was inversely proportional to the time trade-off. However, race, educational level, and income were not significant predictors of utility outcome score for pes planus.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the perceived burden of living with pes planus is comparable to living with some debilitating conditions. Our participants were willing to sacrifice 3.6 years of life, and have a procedure with a theoretical 12% mortality risk to attain perfect health.

The Effects of Talus Control Foot Orthoses in Children with Flexible Flatfoot

BACKGROUND

A talus control foot orthosis (TCFO) combines an inverted rigid foot orthosis (RFO) with a broad upright portion that rises well above the navicular to cover and protect the talonavicular joint. We sought to identify the therapeutic effect of TCFOs in children with flexible flatfoot.

METHODS

Flexible flatfoot was diagnosed in 40 children when either of the feet had greater than 4° valgus of resting calcaneal stance position (RCSP) angle and one of the radiographic indicators was greater than 30° in anteroposterior talocalcaneal angles, 45° in lateral talocalcaneal angles, and 4° in lateral talometatarsal angles and less than 10° of calcaneal pitch in barefoot radiographs. Of 40 children with flexible flatfoot, 20 were fitted with a pair of RFOs and 20 with TCFOs, randomly. Follow-up clinical and radiographic measurements were completed 12 months later.

RESULTS

All of the radiographic indicators changed toward the corrective direction in both groups. There were significant improvements in calcaneal pitch and RCSP in both groups (P < .05). In the TCFO group, the anteroposterior talocalcaneal angle and the RCSP showed statistically significant improvement compared with the RFO group.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the TCFO was more effective than the RFO at treating children with flexible flatfoot.

Overweight, obesity and foot posture in children: A cross-sectional study

AIM

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between obesity and foot posture in children.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study is based on a sample population of 1798 schoolchildren (873 boys and 925 girls) aged between 6 and 12 years. The height and weight of each subject was measured and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Foot posture was described by means of the foot posture index (FPI). The differences among various foot postures in relation to BMI, for the total sample, were tested using the Games-Howell test. In addition, cross tabulation for different gender groups and BMI categories was applied and tested using χ² .

RESULTS

The mean BMI was 18.94 (standard deviation (SD) 3.65 kg/m² ) in the boys and 18.90 (SD 3.64 kg/m² ) in the girls, and the FPI was 3.97 (SD 2.98) in the boys and 3.68 (SD 2.86) in the girls. The FPI results show that among the boys aged 6 years, the right foot was more pronated than among the girls (FPI 4.8-4.1, P = 0.034), while among the boys aged 7 years, this was true for the left foot (4.4-3.7, P = 0.049). For the other ages, there were no significant differences in the FPI between the sexes. There were no significant differences between the value, or categories, of BMI and the FPI in the different age groups.

CONCLUSION

In children aged between 6 and 12 years, body mass does not appear to have an important bearing on static foot posture. Furthermore, the variables gender and age are of scant importance in determining foot posture in children.

Surgical treatment results for flexible flatfoot in adolescents

Objective

Idiopathic flexible pes planus (IFPP) is a common foot problem in adolescents and young adults. Hypothesis for the present study was that combination of procedures for IFPP can achieve results in adolescents and young adults that are as good as those seen in adult-acquired pes planovalgus (AAPP) treatment in adults.

Methods

A total of 21 feet of 18 patients (10 boys, 8 girls) with mean age of 15.6 years underwent surgical reconstruction for flatfoot deformity. Symptomatic patients who had been unresponsive to conservative treatment were included in study group. Mean follow-up time was 39.2 months. American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores were calculated for all patients, and based on final results, all families were asked whether or not they would elect to have the surgery again in same circumstances.

Results

All procedures were performed by the same surgeon: lateral column calcaneal lengthening osteotomy on 21 feet; percutaneous lengthening or gastrocnemius recession for Achilles tendon on 21 feet; medializing calcaneal osteotomy on 15 feet; flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer on 15 feet; medial cuneiform opening wedge osteotomy on 5 feet, spring ligament plication on 3 feet, and accessory navicular bone excision on 2 feet.

Preoperative mean AOFAS score increased significantly from 56.76 to 95.29. All parents stated that they were satisfied with surgery results and would choose to have the same surgery performed again.

Conclusion

Soft tissue and bony procedures used for reconstruction of AAPP can be used safely for IFPP in adolescents and young adults.

Level of clinical evidence

Level IV, Therapeutic study.

Establishing normative foot posture index values for the paediatric population: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The Foot Posture Index (FPI) is an observational tool designed to measure the position of the foot. Its reliability is well established, and it provides normative reference values for the general population. However, this is not so for the paediatric population. The aim of this study is to determine FPI reference values in childhood, taking into account age and gender.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 1,762 school children (863 boys and 899 girls) aged 6-11 years, from Málaga, Granada and Plasencia (Spain). In every case, FPI measurements were obtained for both feet by two experienced podiatrists. A descriptive analysis was then conducted and the percentiles of the variables determined, with a significance level of P < 0.05.

RESULTS

The consolidated FPI results for the sample population produced mean values of 3.74 (SD 2.93) points for the right foot and 3.83 (SD 2.92) for the left. The 50th percentile was 4 points for both genders and for both feet, except for the right foot among the girls, which was slightly lower, at 3 points. The 85th percentile, which is considered to represent the boundary between the normal and the pronated foot among children, was 6 points, uniformly among the subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

As a normative FPI value for the paediatric population, we recommend the 50th percentile, i.e. 4 points, for children, of both genders, aged 6 years. This value progressively falls with age, to 3 FPI points for children aged 11 years. The 85th percentile for the pronated foot and the 4th percentile for the supinated foot can be considered the pathological boundary.

Foot orthoses for pediatric flexible flatfoot: evidence and current practices among Canadian physical therapists

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine the evidence for flatfoot intervention in children with gross motor delay of neurological origin, and to understand how physical therapists use foot orthoses (FOs) to treat this population.

METHODS

Thirty-four physical therapists employed in Canadian publicly funded pediatric centers were surveyed to explore current practices and beliefs related to FOs.

RESULTS

Responses are discussed in the context of the research literature. Objective physical examination and differentiation between developmental and pathological flatfeet can help clinicians to identify suitable FO candidates, monitor foot posture over time, and evaluate treatment effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

An evidence-informed approach to assessment and intervention has the potential to improve clinical outcomes for clients with pediatric flatfoot.

Subtalar extra-articular screw arthroereisis (SESA) for the treatment of flexible flatfoot in children

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to describe a subtalar extra-articular screw arthroereisis (SESA) technique for the correction of flexible flatfoot (FFF) in children and report the outcome.

METHODS

From 1990 to 2012, data were collected on 485 patients who underwent SESA at the San Raffaele Hospital. The average age of the patient cohort was 11.5 ± 1.81 years (range 5.0-17.9 years; median 11.5 years). Inclusion criteria were FFF and marked flexible hindfoot valgus, and the exclusion criterion was rigid flatfoot. SESA was performed in 732 cases of FFF-bilaterally in 247 patients and monolaterally in 238 patients.

RESULTS

The values of the pre- and post-SESA weight-bearing X-ray angles were 146° ± 7° and 129° ± 5°, respectively, for the Costa-Bartani angle, 43° ± 8° and 25° ± 6°, respectively, for the talar inclination angle and 11° ± 6° and 14° ± 5°, respectively, for calcaneal pitch (p <0.001). All data were analysed statistically with Student's t test. Data on 398 patients were ultimately available for analysis. In 93.7 % of cases the results were good in terms of improved clinical aspects and X-ray measurement, absence of complications, normal foot function 3 months post-SESA and no requirement for further surgery. The complication rate was 6.3 % and included ankle joint effusion, painful contracture of peroneal muscles and fourth metatarsal bone stress fractures. A sample of 76 patients (121 feet) were evaluated after screw removal, which occurred on average 2.9 years after SESA. The angle measurements of this sample showed no statistically significant modification.

CONCLUSION

Based on our >20 years of experience, we believe that SESA is an optimal technique for the correction of FFF as it is simple and can be performed rapidly, and the corrective effect results from the screw's mechanical and proprioceptive effect. The indication for surgery must be accurate. We suggest that the patient be at least 10 years of age in order that all of the foot's growth potential can be utilized and to allow for spontaneous resolution and thereby avoid the possibility of over-treatment.

Does excessive flatfoot deformity affect function? A comparison between symptomatic and asymptomatic flatfeet using the Oxford Foot Model

Treatment of asymptomatic flexible flatfeet is a subject of great controversy. The purpose of this study was to examine foot function during walking in symptomatic (SFF) and asymptomatic (ASFF) flexible flatfeet. Thirty-five paediatric and juvenile patients with idiopathic flexible flatfeet were recruited from an orthopaedic outpatient department (14 SFF and 21 ASFF). Eleven age-matched participants with typically developing feet served as controls (TDF). To study foot function, 3D multi-segment foot kinematics and ankle joint kinetics were captured during barefoot gait analysis. Overall, alterations in foot kinematics in flatfeet were pronounced but differences between SFF and ASFF were not observed. Largest discriminatory effects between flatfeet and TDF were noticed in reduced hindfoot dorsiflexion as well as in increased forefoot supination and abduction. Upon clinical examination, restrictions in passive dorsiflexion in ASFF and SFF were significant. During gait, the hindfoot in flatfeet (both ASFF and SFF) was more everted, but less flexible. In sagittal plane, limited hindfoot dorsiflexion of ASFF and SFF was compensated for by increased forefoot mobility and a hypermobile hallux. Concerning ankle kinetics, SFF lacked positive joint energy for propulsion while ASFF needed to absorb more negative ankle joint energy during loading response. This may risk fatigue and overuse syndrome of anterior shank muscles in ASFF. Hence, despite a lack of symptoms flatfoot deformity in ASFF affected function. Yet, contrary to what was expected, SFF did not show greater deviations in 3D foot kinematics than ASFF. Symptoms may rather depend on tissue wear and subjective pain thresholds.

The efficacy of nonsurgical interventions for pediatric flexible flat foot: a critical review

BACKGROUND

The pediatric flat foot frequently presents as a common parental concern in the health care setting. Foot orthoses are often used, yet benefits are uncertain and disputed, having been variably investigated. A recent Cochrane review cites limited evidence for nonsurgical interventions. This critical and structured review evaluates the effect of pediatric foot orthoses from assessment of the current literature.

METHODS

A systematic search of the following electronic databases: Medline, CINAHL, AMED, and SPORTDiscus, using an array of search terms. A further search was also performed on relevant reference listings. Inclusion criteria were peer-reviewed journal articles, publication date from 1970 onwards, in the English language. Exclusion criteria were surgery interventions, adult subjects, rigid flat foot, articles based on opinion. A structured Quality Index was used to evaluate the research quality of articles. Three reviewers independently assessed the studies with disputes resolved by majority consensus. Studies were then grouped according to the outcome measures used.

RESULTS

Thirteen articles, from an initial 429, met the criteria for quality evaluation. The mean Quality Index score was 35% (range: 13% to 81%), indicative of generally poor and varying methodological quality.

CONCLUSIONS

The low quality of the studies negates definitive conclusions. Only 3/13 quality evaluations scored > 50%; hence, evidence for efficacy of nonsurgical interventions for flexible pediatric flat feet is very limited. Future research needs validated foot type assessment, applicable outcome measures for the intervention, the use of control groups, allowance for independent effects of footwear, age range comparisons, larger samples, and prospective, longer follow-up.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

There is very limited evidence for the efficacy of nonsurgical interventions for children with flexible flat feet. Clinicians need to consider the lack of good-quality evidence in their decision-making for the management of pediatric flat foot.

Screening for foot problems in children: is this practice justifiable?

Podiatry screening of children is a common practice, which occurs largely without adequate data to support the need for such activity. Such programs may be either formalised, or more ad hoc in nature, depending upon the use of guidelines or existing models. Although often not used, the well-established criteria for assessing the merits of screening programs can greatly increase the understanding as to whether such practices are actually worthwhile. This review examines the purpose of community health screening in the Australian context, as occurs for tuberculosis, breast, cervical and prostate cancers, and then examines podiatry screening practices for children with reference to the criteria of the World Health Organisation (WHO). Topically, the issue of paediatric foot posture forms the focus of this review, as it presents with great frequency to a range of clinicians. Comparison is made with developmental dysplasia of the hip, in which instance the WHO criteria are well met. Considering that the burden of the condition being screened for must be demonstrable, and that early identification must be found to be beneficial, in order to justify a screening program, there is no sound support for either continuing or establishing podiatry screenings for children.

Subtalar joint arthroereisis in the management of pediatric flexible flatfoot: a critical review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Pediatric flexible flatfoot is a common deformity for which a small, but significant number undergo corrective surgery. Arthroereisis is a technique for treating flexible flatfoot by means of inserting a prosthesis into the sinus tarsi. The procedure divides opinion in respect of both its effectiveness and safety.

METHODS

A database search up until 2010 was used to find articles regarding arthroereisis in pediatric patients. We summarized the findings of this study.

RESULTS

Seventy-six studies were identified. Eight of the nine radiographic parameters reported show significant improvement following arthroereisis reflecting both increased static arch height and joint congruency. Calcaneal inclination angle demonstrated the least change with only small increases following arthroereisis. Arthroereisis remains associated with a number of complications including sinus tarsi pain, device extrusion, and under-correction. Complication rates range between 4.8% and 18.6% with unplanned removal rates between 7.1% and 19.3% across all device types.

CONCLUSION

Current evidence is limited to consecutive case series or ad hoc case reports. Limited evidence exists to suggest that devices may have a more complex mode of action than simple motion blocking or axis altering effects. The interplay between osseous alignment and dynamic stability within the foot may contribute to the effectiveness of this procedure. Although literature suggests patient satisfaction rates of between 79% to 100%, qualitative outcome data based on disease specific, validated outcome tools may improve current evidence and permit comparison of future study data.

The paediatric flat foot and general anthropometry in 140 Australian school children aged 7 - 10 years

BACKGROUND

Many studies have found a positive relationship between increased body weight and flat foot posture in children.

METHODS

From a study population of 140 children aged seven to 10 years, a sample of 31 children with flat feet was identified by screening with the FPI-6. Basic anthropometric measures were compared between subjects with and without flat feet as designated.

RESULTS

The results of this study, in contrast to many others, question the association of flat feet and heavy children. A significant relationship between foot posture and weight (FPI (L) r = -0.186 (p < 0.05), FPI(R) r = -0.194 (p < 0.05), waist girth (FPI (L) r = -0.213 (p < 0.05), FPI(R) r = -0.228 (p < 0.01) and BMI (FPI (L) r = -0.243 (p < 0.01), FPI(R) r = -0.263 (p < 0.01) was identified, but was both weak and inverse.

CONCLUSIONS

This study presents results which conflict with those of many previous investigations addressing the relationship between children's weight and foot posture. In contrast to previous studies, the implication of these results is that heavy children have less flat feet. Further investigation is warranted using a standardized approach to assessment and a larger sample of children to test this apparent contradiction.

Lucy's flat feet: the relationship between the ankle and rearfoot arching in early hominins

BACKGROUND

In the Plio-Pleistocene, the hominin foot evolved from a grasping appendage to a stiff, propulsive lever. Central to this transition was the development of the longitudinal arch, a structure that helps store elastic energy and stiffen the foot during bipedal locomotion. Direct evidence for arch evolution, however, has been somewhat elusive given the failure of soft-tissue to fossilize. Paleoanthropologists have relied on footprints and bony correlates of arch development, though little consensus has emerged as to when the arch evolved.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

Here, we present evidence from radiographs of modern humans (n = 261) that the set of the distal tibia in the sagittal plane, henceforth referred to as the tibial arch angle, is related to rearfoot arching. Non-human primates have a posteriorly directed tibial arch angle, while most humans have an anteriorly directed tibial arch angle. Those humans with a posteriorly directed tibial arch angle (8%) have significantly lower talocalcaneal and talar declination angles, both measures of an asymptomatic flatfoot. Application of these results to the hominin fossil record reveals that a well developed rearfoot arch had evolved in Australopithecus afarensis. However, as in humans today, Australopithecus populations exhibited individual variation in foot morphology and arch development, and "Lucy" (A.L. 288-1), a 3.18 Myr-old female Australopithecus, likely possessed asymptomatic flat feet. Additional distal tibiae from the Plio-Pleistocene show variation in tibial arch angles, including two early Homo tibiae that also have slightly posteriorly directed tibial arch angles.

CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE

This study finds that the rearfoot arch was present in the genus Australopithecus. However, the female Australopithecus afarensis "Lucy" has an ankle morphology consistent with non-pathological flat-footedness. This study suggests that, as in humans today, there was variation in arch development in Plio-Pleistocene hominins.

Non-surgical interventions for paediatric pes planus

BACKGROUND

Paediatric pes planus ('flat feet') is a common childhood condition with a reported prevalence of 14%. Flat feet can result in pain and altered gait. No optimal strategy for non-surgical management of paediatric flat feet has been identified.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effectiveness of non-surgical interventions for treatment of paediatric pes planus (flat feet).

SEARCH STRATEGY

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library), MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Index to Theses, and Dissertation Abstracts (up to June 2009).

SELECTION CRITERIA

All randomised and quasi-randomised trials of non-surgical interventions for paediatric pes planus were identified. The primary outcomes were pain reduction and adverse events; secondary outcomes included disability involving the foot, goniometric measurements, quality of life and patient comfort.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included trials.

MAIN RESULTS

Three trials involving 305 children were included in this review. Due to clinical heterogeneity, data were not pooled. All trials had potential for bias. Data from one trial (40 children with juvenile arthritis and foot pain) indicated that use of custom-made orthoses compared with supportive shoes alone resulted in significantly greater reduction in pain intensity (mean difference (MD) -1.5 points on a 10-point visual analogue scale (VAS), 95% CI -2.8 to -0.2; number need to treat to benefit (NNTB) 3, 95% CI 2 to 23), and reduction in disability (measured using the disability subscale of the Foot Function Index on a 100mm scale (MD -18.65mm, 95% CI -34.42 to -2.68mm). The second trial of seven to 11 year old children with bilateral flat feet (n = 178) found no difference in the number of participants with foot pain between custom-made orthoses, prefabricated orthoses and the control group who received no treatment. A third trial of one to five year olds with bilateral flat feet (n=129) did not report pain at baseline but reported the subjective impression of pain reduction after wearing shoes. No adverse effects were reported in the three trials.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The evidence from randomised controlled trials is currently too limited to draw definitive conclusions about the use of non-surgical interventions for paediatric pes planus. Future high quality trials are warranted in this field. Only limited interventions commonly used in practice have been studied and there is much debate over the treatment of symptomatic and asymptomatic pes planus.