Морфологія (Jun 2020)

Prevalence of flat foot among 18-24 years old students studying at higher medical education institution.

  • T. O. Kvyatkovska,
  • Y. G. Shimon,
  • E. A. Kvyatkovsky,
  • D. E. Kazbinova,
  • A. M. Pavlenko

DOI
https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2020.2.24-29
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 14, no. 2
pp. 24 – 29

Abstract

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Background. A frequency of flat foot dominantes among the static deformations. Flat fооt has a progressive course and reduces life quality which is important for many medical specialties. Objective. To determine the condition of the longitudinal and transverse foot arch and flat fооt frequency within female and male students studying at higher medical educational institution. Methods. 50 male with an average age of 20.1±0.2 years and 50 female with an average age of 19.9±0.3 years havе been examined. Friedland podometric indices were used to determine the longitudinal and transverse flat fооt. Results. A decrease in longitudinal foot arch of varying degrees was determined in 50% of the examined students on one (13%) or both (37%) sides. A sharp decrease in the longitudinal foot arch was observed in 23% of students on one or both sides, but a bilateral sharp decrease in 12% of students. There were 40% of female with bilateral flat foot, 10% with unilateral one, and 34% of male with bilateral flat foot, 16% with unilateral one. A transverse flat foot on one or both sides was found out in 12% of the examined students (among female in 10%, among male in 14%), 11% of students had combined transverse and longitudinal flat foot. The foot excavation was observed in 22% of the examined students, but sharp foot excavation in 4%. The body mass index correlation with the podometric index was negligible. Significant differences in the flat fооt frequency depending on the gender were not observed. Оnly 31.4% of students with the flat fооt signs identified during examination were previously consulted by the doctor. Other problems of the musculoskeletal system in students with flat fооt were encountered twice as often as in students without flat fооt. Conclusion. The obtained data indicate the necessity for timely diagnostics, prevention and treatment of flat fооt, in particular among medical students.

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