The operative correction of symptomatic flat foot deformities in children: the relationship between static alignment and dynamic loading

Pedobarography and ankle-foot kinematics in children with symptomatic flexible flatfoot after medialising calcaneal osteotomy and controls: a comparative study

PURPOSE

Flexible flatfoot (FF) can interrupt children's activity through uneven pressure distribution to the medial column of the foot and may require surgery. Medialising calcaneal osteotomy (MCO) helps restore the foot‒tripod complex. The objective was to compare pedobarography and ankle‒foot kinematics in children with symptomatic FF after MCO to those in controls.

METHODS

Gait analysis was performed on 21 children with FF (37 feet, age 13.7 ± 4.9 years) 4.5 ± 3.4 years after MCO and on 21 controls (42 feet, age 12.1 ± 1.1 years). Ankle‒foot kinematics and pedobarography parameters (maximum pressure, impulse, contact area, and percentage of contact time in the stance phase) of ten anatomic foot regions from an average of five gait trials were compared. The functional outcome was determined by the AOFAS-AHFS score in the FF group.

RESULTS

The average AOFAS-AHFS score was 96. The FF group had a larger contact area and expressed more force on the medial column of the foot. The maximum pressure, impulse, contact area, and percentage of contact time in the stance phase in the midfoot region for the FF and control groups were 0.66 ± 0.5 vs. 0.24 ± 0.4 N/cm2 (p = 0.005), 0.12 ± 0.1 vs. 0.03 ± 0.1 Ns/cm2 (p = 0.02), 47.1 ± 13.4 vs. 30.1 ± 7.1 cm2 (p < 0.001), and 53.7 ± 17.4 vs. 68.2 ± 15.7% (p = 0.007), respectively. The kinematics of the FF exhibited a greater range of abduction and eversion during the mid- and terminal-stance phases of the gait cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

The MCO procedure did not normalise the pressure on the midfoot in FF to the level of that in the controls, and the deformity persisted in the forefoot.

Reliability of a Photo-Based Modified Foot Posture Index (MFPI) in Quantifying Severity of Foot Deformity in Children With Cerebral Palsy

INTRODUCTION

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have high rates of foot deformity. Accurate assessment of foot morphology is crucial for therapeutic planning and outcome evaluation. This study aims to evaluate the reliability of a novel photo-based Modified Foot Posture Index (MFPI) in the evaluation of foot deformity in children with CP.

METHODS

Thirteen orthopaedic surgeons with neuromuscular clinical focus from 12 institutions evaluated standardized standing foot photographs of 20 children with CP, scoring foot morphology using the MFPI. Raters scored the standardized photographs based on five standard parameters. Two parameters assessed the hindfoot: curvature above and below the malleoli and calcaneal inversion/eversion. Three parameters assessed the midfoot and forefoot: talonavicular congruence, medial arch height, and forefoot abduction/adduction. Summary MFPI scores range from -10 to +10, where positive numbers connote planovalgus, whereas negative numbers connote a tendency toward cavovarus. Intra- and interrater reliability were calculated using a 2-way mixed model of the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) set to absolute agreement.

RESULTS

Feet spanned the spectrum of potential pathology assessable by the MFPI, including no deformity, mild, moderate, and severe planovalgus or cavovarus deformities. All scored variables showed high intrarater reliability with ICCs from 0.891 to 1. ICCs for interrater reliability ranged from 0.965 to 0.984. Hindfoot total score had an ICC of 0.979, with a 95% CI, 0.968-0.988 (P<0.001). The forefoot total score had an ICC of 0.984 (95% CI, 0.976-0.991, P<0.001). Mean total score by the MFPI was 3.67 with an ICC of 0.982 (95% CI, 0.972-0.990, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The photo-based MFPI demonstrates high intra- and interrater reliability in assessing foot deformities in children with CP. Its noninvasive nature and ease of use make it a promising tool for both clinical and research settings. MFPI should be considered as part of standard outcomes scores in studies regarding the treatment of CP-associated foot deformities.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level V.

Dynamic Gait Analysis in Paediatric Flatfeet: Unveiling Biomechanical Insights for Diagnosis and Treatment

BACKGROUND

Flatfeet in children are common, causing concern for parents due to potential symptoms. Technological advances, like 3D foot kinematic analysis, have revolutionized assessment. This review examined 3D assessments in paediatric idiopathic flexible flat feet (FFF).

METHODS

Searches focused on paediatric idiopathic FFF in PubMed, Web of Science, and SCOPUS. Inclusion criteria required 3D kinematic and/or kinetic analysis during posture or locomotion, excluding non-idiopathic cases, adult feet, and studies solely on pedobarography or radiographs.

RESULTS

Twenty-four studies met the criteria. Kinematic and kinetic differences between FFF and typical feet during gait were outlined, with frontal plane deviations like hindfoot eversion and forefoot supination, alongside decreased second peak vertical GRF. Dynamic foot classification surpassed static assessments, revealing varied movement patterns within FFF. Associations between gait characteristics and clinical measures like pain symptoms and quality of life were explored. Interventions varied, with orthoses reducing ankle eversion and knee and hip abductor moments during gait, while arthroereisis normalized calcaneal alignment and hindfoot eversion.

CONCLUSIONS

This review synthesises research on 3D kinematics and kinetics in paediatric idiopathic FFF, offering insights for intervention strategies and further research.

Flatfoot Reconstruction for Painful Pediatric Idiopathic Flexible Flatfoot: Prospective Study Demonstrates Improved Alignment, Function, and Patient-reported Outcomes

BACKGROUND

This prospective study was undertaken to report outcomes following reconstructive surgery for patients with painful pediatric idiopathic flexible flatfoot.

METHODS

Twenty-five patients with pediatric idiopathic flexible flatfoot were evaluated pre- and post flatfoot reconstruction with lateral column lengthening (LCL). All patients had lengthening of the Achilles or gastrocnemius, while 13 patients had medial side soft tissue (MSST) procedures, 7 underwent medial cuneiform plantarflexion osteotomy (MCPO), and 5 had medializing calcaneal osteotomy. Measures of static foot alignment-both radiographic parameters and clinical arch height indices-were compared, as were measures of dynamic foot alignment and loading, including arch height flexibility and pedobarography. Preoperative and postoperative patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores were compared between those treated with or without MSST procedures.

RESULTS

The median subject age was 13.8 years (range: 10.3 to 16.5) at the time of surgery. All radiographic parameters improved with surgery ( P <0.001). The mean sitting arch height index showed a modest increase after surgery ( P =0.023). Arch height flexibility was similar after surgery. The mean center-of-pressure excursion index increased from 14.1% to 24.0% ( P <0.001), and the mean first metatarsal head (MH) peak pressure dropped ( P <0.001), while the mean fifth MH peak pressure increased ( P =0.018). The ratio of peak pressure in the fifth MH to peak pressure in the second MH increased ( P =0.010). The ratio of peak pressure in the first MH to peak pressure in the second MH decreased when an MCPO was not used ( P <0.002), but it remained stable when an MCPO was included. Mean scores in all PRO domains improved ( P <0.001). Patients treated without MSST procedures showed no difference in PROMIS Pain Interference scores compared to those without MSST procedures.

CONCLUSIONS

Flatfoot reconstruction surgery using an LCL with plantarflexor lengthening results in improved PROs. LCL changes but does not normalize the distribution of MH pressure loading. The addition of an MCPO can prevent a significant reduction in load-sharing by the first MH.

Effect of flatfoot correction on the ankle joint following lateral column lengthening: A radiographic evaluation

OBJECTIVES

The effects of foot deformities and corrections on the ankle joint without osteoarthritis has received little attention. This study aimed to investigate the effect of flatfoot correction on the ankle joint of patients without osteoarthritis.

METHODS

Thirty-five patients (24 men and 11 women; mean age 17.5 years) who underwent lateral column lengthening for flatfoot deformities were included. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 20.5 months (standard deviation [SD]: 15.7 months). Radiographic indices were measured pre- and postoperatively, including anteroposterior (AP) and lateral talo-first metatarsal angles, naviculocuboid overlap, position of the articulating talar surface, and lateral talar center migration. Postoperative changes in the radiographic indices were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

There was significant postoperative improvement in flatfoot deformity in terms of AP and lateral talo-first metatarsal angles (p<0.001 and p<0.001, respectively) and naviculocuboid overlap (p<0.001). On lateral radiographs, the talar articulating surface dorsiflexed by 7.3% (p<0.001), and the center of the talar body shifted anteriorly by 0.85 mm (p<0.001) postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS

Flatfoot correction using lateral column and Achilles tendon lengthening caused dorsiflexion and an anterior shift of the articular talar body in patients without osteoarthritis. Correction of flatfoot deformity might affect the articular contact area at the ankle joint. The biomechanical effects of this change need to be investigated further.

Biomechanical comparison among five mid/hindfoot arthrodeses procedures in treating flatfoot using a musculoskeletal multibody driven finite element model

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Mid/hindfoot arthrodesis could modify the misalignment of adult-acquired flatfoot and attenuate pain. However, the long-term biomechanical effects of these surgical procedures remain unclear, and the quantitative evidence is scarce. Therefore, we aimed to investigate and quantify the influences of five mid/hindfoot arthrodeses on the internal foot biomechanics during walking stance.

METHODS

A young participant with flexible flatfoot was recruited for this study. We reconstructed a subject-specific musculoskeletal multibody driven-finite element (FE) foot model based on the foot magnetic resonance imaging. The severe flatfoot model was developed from the flexible flatfoot through the attenuation of ligaments and the unloading of the posterior tibial muscle. The five mid/hindfoot arthrodeses simulations (subtalar, talonavicular, calcaneocuboid, double, and triple arthrodeses) and a control condition (no arthrodesis) were performed simultaneously in the detailed foot multibody dynamics model and FE model. Muscle forces calculated by a detailed multi-segment foot model and ground reaction force were used to drive the foot FE model. The internal foot loadings were compared among control and these arthrodeses conditions at the first and second vertical ground reaction force (VGRF) peak and VGRF valley instants.

RESULTS

The results indicated that the navicular heights in double and triple arthrodeses were higher than other surgical procedures, while the subtalar arthrodesis had the smallest values. Five mid/hindfoot arthrodeses reduced the peak plantar fascia stress compared to control. However, double and triple arthrodeses increased the peak medial cuneo-navicular joint contact pressures and peak foot pressures as well as the metatarsal bones stresses.

CONCLUSION

Although mid/hindfoot arthrodesis generally reduced the collapse of medial longitudinal arch and plantar fascia loading during the stance phase, the increased loading in the adjacent unfused joint and metatarsal bones for double and triple arthrodeses should be noted. These findings could account for some symptoms experienced by flatfoot patients after surgery, which may facilitate the optimization of surgical protocols.

Pedobarographic outcome after subtalar screw arthroereisis in flexible juvenile flatfoot

BACKGROUND

Flatfoot is a frequent skeletal deformity in childhood that can be minimally invasively treated by arthroereisis.

QUESTION

Does the motion of juvenile flexible flatfoot normalize after arthroereisis?

METHOD

Pedographic measurements were obtained from 39 patients preoperatively, six months postoperatively and compared to a healthy group. The footprints were divided into 8 areas. The selected parameters were: contact area and force-time-integral.

RESULTS

After surgery, a load shift from the medial to the lateral areas was detected under the midfoot and forefoot. The force-time-integral under the hallux normalized. However, under the lateral midfoot, the postoperative force-time-integral was significantly higher than in the control group.

SIGNIFICANCE

The study shows that arthroereisis is able to correct the medially displaced load distribution of juvenile flexible flatfoot. However, further investigations are required to find out if the higher punctual loading under the lateral midfoot may cause problems in the long term.

Calcaneocuboid distraction arthrodesis for children with symptomatic pes planovalgus: does fixation improve outcomes?

Lateral column lengthening is a common surgical procedure for addressing symptomatic pes planovalgus foot deformity. For more severe cases, the use of a calcaneocuboid distraction arthrodesis (CCDA) can allow for more powerful correction. Previous reports have cited an increased risk of graft collapse with loss of correction when this procedure is performed without supplemental hardware fixation. The purpose of this study was to assess the outcomes of CCDA in children with and without supplemental locking fixation. A retrospective review from 2008 to 2016 of CCDA procedures with and without supplemental fixation was performed. The primary endpoint was graft collapse. Secondary objectives included evaluation of radiographic loss of correction, hardware failure, pain at 1-year follow-up, reoperations, and changes in the foot loading pattern foot per pedobarography. Twenty-nine feet in 24 patients were eligible for review. Supplemental locked fixation was used in 18 feet [hardware (HW)], with the remaining 11 feet managed without fixation [no hardware (NoHW)]. The overall failure rate on the basis of graft collapse and loss of correction was 55% (56% for the HW group, 55% for the NoHW group). Eleven patients (61%) in the HW group experienced hardware failure, with six (33%) of these requiring hardware removal. Fifty-six percent of the HW group and 45% of the NoHW group reported continued pain at 1-year follow-up. One patient from each group underwent revision arthrodesis. Supplemental locked fixation did not provide additional benefit in preventing graft collapse and loss of correction in this cohort. Alternative strategies should be considered to improve the outcomes for this procedure.

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.

Self-perceived foot function and pain in children and adolescents with flexible flatfeet - Relationship between dynamic pedobarography and the foot function index

BACKGROUND

There is considerable debate as to which parameters to include in the assessment of paediatric flatfeet. Dynamic pedobarography is an objective, dynamic method to measure foot function. Information about its associations to patient-reported measures may help to focus on the most relevant parameters.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What is the association between the Foot Function Index and pedobarographic assessments in flatfeet of children and adolescents?

METHODS

A consecutive clinical case series of 51 participants with idiopathic flexible flatfeet aged 7-17 years underwent barefooted pedobarography during gait and completed the Foot Function Index Questionnaire. Pedobarographic data categorized into values related to area, peak pressure and force with respect to the hind-, mid- and forefoot were extracted. To test the associations between the Foot Function Index and pedobarographic assessments, bivariate partial correlations were tested and contact times served as co-variate.

RESULTS

Several significant associations between peak pressure or forces beneath the hindfoot, midfoot and hallux to self-perceived function were found (|rho| = 0.28-.46, P < 0.05). In particular, reduced peak forces and pressures underneath the hindfoot and hallux, a lateral shift (smaller medio-lateral ratios) of hindfoot pressure and force and a medial shift (larger medio-lateral ratios) of midfoot pressure seem to be negatively associated with foot-related disability. Overall, less evidence was noted for associations to pain scores. Area related outcomes (including the arch index) contained no information for function while a larger BMI was the strongest thread for disability (rho = 0.42, P = 0.002) and pain (rho = 0.31, P = 0.027).

SIGNIFICANCE

When using pedobarography for the assessment of flexible flatfeet of children and adolescents, less attention should be paid to area related measurements which do not provide information about self-perceived function or disability. Instead, peak pressures or forces in the hind- or midfoot or beneath the hallux may be focussed. Weight reductions are potentially an effective strategy to reduce or prevent symptoms.

A Long-term Follow-up of Young Adults With Idiopathic Clubfoot: Does Foot Morphology Relate to Pain?

BACKGROUND

Individuals with clubfoot, treated in infancy with either the Ponseti method or comprehensive clubfoot release, often encounter pain as adults. Multiple studies have characterized residual deformity after Ponseti or surgical correction using physical exam, radiographs and pedobarography; however, the relationship between residual foot deformity and pain is not well defined. The purpose of the current study was 2-fold: (1) to evaluate the relationship between foot morphology and pain for young adults treated as infants for idiopathic clubfoot and (2) to describe and compare pedobarographic measures and outcome measures of pain and morphology among surgically treated, Ponseti treated, and typically developing feet.

METHODS

We performed a case-control study of individuals treated for clubfoot at 2 separate institutions with either the Ponseti method or comprehensive clubfoot release between 1983 and 1987. All subjects (24 treated with comprehensive clubfoot release, 18 with Ponseti method, and 48 controls) were evaluated using the International Clubfoot Study Group (ICFSG) morphology scoring, dynamic pedobarography, and foot function index surveys. During pedobarography, we collected the subarch angle and arch index as well as the center of pressure progression (COPP) on all subjects.

RESULTS

Foot morphology (ICFSG) scores were highly correlated with foot function index pain scores (r=0.43; P<0.001), although the difference in pain scores between the surgical and Ponseti group did not reach significance. The surgical group exhibited greater subarch angle and arch indexes than the Ponseti group, demonstrating a significant difference in morphology, a flatter foot. Finally, we found more abnormalities in foot progression, decreased COPP in the forefoot and increased COPP in the midfoot and hindfoot, in the surgical group compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Measures of foot morphology were correlated with pain among all treated for clubfoot. Compared with Ponseti method, comprehensive surgical release lead to greater long-term foot deformity, flatter feet and greater hindfoot loading time.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III-Therapeutic.

Radiographic Assessment of Foot Alignment in Juvenile Hallux Valgus and Its Relationship to Flatfoot

BACKGROUND

The relationship between juvenile hallux valgus (JHV) and flatfoot has not been clearly established. The aim of this study was to assess radiographic measurements in feet with JHV compared with matched controls and to investigate whether the foot alignment of JHV is related to flatfoot.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed 163 patients with JHV as defined as hallux valgus angle greater than 20 degrees and intermetatarsal greater than angle than 10 degrees. Patients with open physes of the feet and who had weight-bearing radiographs of the feet were included. Another 55 normal participants served as controls. Patients with JHV were divided into 2 subgroups: Group 1 included patients with asymptomatic JHV and group 2 consisted of those treated with correctional surgery for painful JHV. Twelve radiographic indices were analyzed, including calcaneal pitch angle, tibiocalcaneal angle, talocalcaneal angle, naviculocuboid overlap, talonavicular coverage angle, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, anteroposterior talo-first metatarsal angle, metatarsus adductus angle, hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, and first metatarsal cuneiform angle. The groups were compared by age, gender, and the above radiographic parameters.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference in hindfoot alignment of patients with JHV and controls. Naviculocuboid overlap (P <.001), lateral talo-first metatarsal angle (P = .002), and metatarsus adductus angle (P = .004) were significantly greater in patients with JHV than in controls, whereas the anteroposterior talo-first metatarsal angle (P = .026) was significantly less. Symptomatic and asymptomatic JHV patient subsets showed no significant radiologic differences.

CONCLUSION

Radiographic profiles in patients with JHV were inconsistent with regard to features of flatfoot, and foot alignment was unrelated to the presence of symptoms or degree of deformity in JHV.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, retrospective comparative series.

Lateral column lengthening versus subtalar arthroereisis for paediatric flatfeet: a systematic review

PURPOSE

This systematic review aimed to compare radiographic correction, clinical outcomes, complications, and re-operations between lateral column lengthening (LCL) and arthroereisis (AR) for treating symptomatic flatfoot in children.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive search on MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases. Literature search, data extraction, and quality assessment were conducted by two independent reviewers. The outcomes analyzed included radiographic parameters, clinical scores, satisfaction, complications, and re-operations.

RESULTS

Twenty-one and 13 studies were included in the LCL and AR groups, respectively. The change in anteroposterior talo-first metatarsal angle was greater in the LCL (9.5° to 21.7°) than in the AR group (10.6° to 12.8°). The change in calcaneal pitch was greater in the LCL (2.1° to 26.53°) than in the AR group (- 1.3° to 3.23°). Improvements in the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score were greater in the LCL (27.7 to 39.1) than in the AR group (17 to 22). The percentage of satisfaction was similar between the LCL (68% to 89%) and AR (78.5% to 96.4%) groups. The complication rate was higher in the LCL (0% to 86.9%) than in the AR group (3.5% to 45%). The most common complications were calcaneocuboid subluxation and persistent pain in the LCL and AR groups, respectively. The re-operation rate was similar between the LCL (0% to 27.3%) and AR (0% to 36.4%) groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The LCL group has achieved more radiographic corrections and more improvements in the AOFAS score than the AR group. Complications were more common in the LCL group than in the AR group, and the re-operation rates were similar between the two groups.

Calcaneal lateral column lengthening osteotomy for symptomatic flexible flatfoot in children and adolescents: a systematic review

Flexible flatfoot is a common condition in small children, which shows a strong tendency to spontaneously correct with their growth or to become moderate or mild in adults, which will not cause future problems. However, in a small number of cases, this condition is more severe, does not improve spontaneously, which may cause mechanical impairment, deformity, and, eventually, pain. In such cases, surgical treatment should be considered. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the literature results on the treatment of the symptomatic flexible flatfoot in children or adolescents through a very frequent procedure: calcaneal lateral column lengthening osteotomy, A systematic electronic search in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, SciELO, SCOPUS and LILACS databases was performed. We searched articles published between March 1975 and September 2016. After applying the eligibility criteria, the selected publications were evaluated in relation to their clinical and radiographic results and complications. We found 341 articles in the mentioned databases, but selected only eight studies, according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. These studies included a total of 105 patients and 167 treated feet. Only three authors performed prospective studies, but without case-control or randomization. The majority of publications were descriptive studies or case series (level of evidence III or IV), with great methodological variations, but with a high satisfaction rate on the part of both patients and surgeons in relation to the results. However, more prospective and randomized studies are required, with adequate control groups and validated evaluation criteria.

A model to calculate the progression of the centre of pressure under the foot during gait analysis

Pedobarography and the centre of pressure (COP) progression is useful to understand foot function. Pedobarography is often unavailable in gait laboratories or completed asynchronously to kinematic and kinetic data collection. This paper presents a model that allows calculation of COP progression synchronously using force plate data. The model is an adjunct to Plug-In-Gait and was applied to 49 typically developing children to create reference COP data. COP progressions were noted to spend 8% of stance behind the ankle joint centre, traverse lateral of the longitudinal axis of the foot through the midfoot for 76% of stance and finishing past the second metatarsal head on the medial side for 16% of stance. It is hoped the model will bridge the information gap for gait laboratories lacking pedobarography during foot assessments and will open up the possibility of retrospective research into COP progression based indices on kinematic data.

The relationship between quality of life and foot function in children with flexible flatfeet

Flat feet in children are common, and at times symptomatic, but the relationship between function and symptoms or impairment is still unclear. We undertook a prospective, observational study comparing children with paediatric flexible flat foot (PFF) and children with neutral feet (NF) using three dimensional gait analysis (3DGA). It was hypothesised that children with PFF would demonstrate differences in both spatio-temporal parameters of gait and foot and ankle kinematics compared to the NF group and that these differences would correlate with impaired quality of life (QoL). The kinematic differences were expected to be most marked in hindfoot coronal plane motion and forefoot sagittal and transverse plane motion. Eighty-three children between the ages of 8 and 15 were recruited in this study: Forty-two were classified as having PFF and forty-one as NF. Each child underwent 3DGA and completed the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for Children (OxAFQ_C). Reduced OxAFQ_C physical domain scores in the PFF children were associated with slower walking speed (p=0.014) and reduced normalised stride length (p=0.008). PFF children also demonstrated significantly increased hindfoot eversion and forefoot supination during gait. Significant differences between groups were not observed for other foot and ankle joint motions. Increased maximum hindfoot eversion and increased forefoot supination correlated strongly with lower QoL scores in PFF children. These data further our understanding of the functional characteristics that lead to impaired QoL in PFF children. These findings will help guide the surveillance and management of children with this ubiquitous condition.

Health-related quality of life in children with flexible flatfeet: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

The effect of paediatric flexible flatfeet (PFF) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been investigated. In this prospective cross-sectional study, the HRQOL of children with PFF was compared to those with typically developing feet (TDF) using two validated measures. We hypothesised that reduced HRQOL would be observed in children with PFF. The reliability of parents' perceptions of their child's symptoms was also investigated.

METHODS

48 children with PFF and 47 with TDF between the ages of 8 and 15 completed The Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for Children (OxAFQ-C) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™ 4.0). Proxy questionnaires were also completed. Reliability of parent and child questionnaire scores was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Student's t test. Differences between HRQOL between PFF and TDF were assessed using the Student's t test.

RESULTS

ICCs overall demonstrated good reliability between parent and child questionnaire domain scores. There was a tendency for parents to overestimate the impairment of the child in the PFF group. PFF children demonstrated clinically significant decreased HRQOL than TDF children. This was most marked in the physical domain scores.

CONCLUSION

Although parents may overestimate their child's impairment, children with PFF still have significantly impaired HRQOL when compared to TDF children. The impairment can be as severe, or worse, than published HRQOL for acutely and chronically unwell children. As such, PFF cannot be regarded as just a benign normal variant. The management of PFF should involve consideration of the symptom profile and HRQOL.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

II.