How to Define Pediatric Flatfoot: Comparison of 2 Methods: Foot Posture in Static and Dynamic Conditions in Children 5 to 9 Years Old

Risk Factors of Flatfoot in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: This study aimed to explore the risk factors for flatfoot in children and adolescents to provide a reference basis for studying foot growth and development in children and adolescents. Methods: We examined the cross-sectional research literature regarding flatfoot in children and adolescents published in the past 20 years, from 2001 to 2021, in four electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library. Two researchers independently searched the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria and evaluated the literature quality of the selected research; from this, a total of 20 articles were included in our review. After the relevant data were extracted, the data were reviewed using Manager 5.4 software (The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark), and the detection rate and risk factors for flatfoot in children were analyzed. Results: In total, 3602 children with flatfoot from 15 studies were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis results showed that being male (OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.62, p = 0.005), being aged <9 years (age <6, OR = 3.11, 95% CI: 2.47, 3.90, p < 0.001; age 6−9 years, OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.70, p < 0.001), joint relaxation (OR = 4.82, 95% CI: 1.19, 19.41, p = 0.03), wearing sports shoes (OR = 2.97, 95% CI: 1.46, 6.03, p = 0.003), being a child living in an urban environment (OR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.66, 2.64, p < 0.001) and doing less exercise (OR = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.80, p = 0.02) were risk factors for the detection of flatfoot. Conclusion: In summary, the detection rate of flatfoot in children in the past 20 years was found to be 25% through a meta-analysis. Among the children included, boys were more prone to flatfoot than girls, and the proportion of flatfoot decreased with age.

Effect of Plano-Valgus Foot on Lower-Extremity Kinematics and Spatiotemporal Gait Parameters in Children of Age 5–9

Aim of the study was to see how a definition of the flexible flat foot (FFF) influences the results of gait evaluation in a group of 49 children with clinically established FFF. Objective gait analysis was performed using VICON system with Kistler force platforms. The gait parameters were compared between healthy feet and FFF using two classifications: in static and dynamic conditions. In static condition, the ink footprints with Clarke’s graphics were used for classification, and in dynamic condition, the Arch Index from Emed pedobarograph while walking was used for classification. When the type of the foot was based on Clarke’s graphics, no statistically significant differences were found. When the division was done according to the Arch Index, statistically significant differences between flat feet and normal feet groups were found for normalized gait speed, normalized cadence, pelvic rotation, ankle range of motion in sagittal plane, range of motion of foot progression, and two parameters of a vertical component of the ground reaction force: FZ2 (middle of stance phase) and FZ3 (push-off). Some statically flat feet function well during walking due to dynamic correction mechanisms.

Comparing Validity and Diagnostic Accuracy of Clarke's Angle and Foot Posture Index-6 to Determine Flexible Flatfoot in Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Investigation

OBJECTIVE

Clinically, the foot posture index-6 (FPI-6) and Clarke's angle (CA) are widely utilized to assess static foot posture; however, due to scarcity of scientific evidence, clinicians continue to debate the validity and diagnostic accuracy of these measures in children and adolescents. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the validity and diagnostic accuracy of the FPI-6 and CA in determining adolescents' flexible flatfoot between ages of 12 and 18 years, considering radiographic investigation as a reference standard measure.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Governmental hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS

A sample of 460 people (920 feet) with flexible flatfoot between the ages of 12 and 18 (15.23 ± 0.84 years) was enrolled in the study. The findings of the investigated measures were compared to the reference standard radiographic measure and plotted on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was determined as a measure of FPI-6 and CA diagnostic accuracy. Intra-rater reliability, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios of FPI-6 and CA were calculated and compared. The post-test probability of flatfoot was determined using the Fagan nomogram.

RESULTS

CA had a substantially higher intra-rater reliability (ICC=0.99) than the FPI-6 (ICC=0.96), with p-value of 0.001. CA has greater sensitivity (98%) than FPI-6, as well as a superior specificity (99%), positive predictive value (98%), negative predictive value (98.9%), positive likelihood ratio (97), and a lower negative likelihood ratio (0.02). CA had such an area under ROC curve of 0.98 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.95-1.00, while FPI-6 had an area under ROC curve of 0.80 with a 95% confidence interval of (0.77-0.85).

CONCLUSION

FPI-6 and Clarke's angle are both valid and diagnostically accurate clinical tests for flatfoot detection, with Clarke's angle outperforming FPI-6 in adolescents aged 12 to 18 years with a normal BMI.