Quantitative Flatfoot Evaluation for Thais

Abstract

Objective: At present, there is no consensus for a foot type classification method. A combination of clinical signs and foot radiographic measurements would provide comprehensive foot type determination. This study aimed to propose a flatfoot evaluation including footprint Arch Index (AI) and foot radiographs in two planes; sagittal and transverse planes. Material and Methods: The AIs of one hundred healthy adult feet were analyzed. Among these hundred feet, thirty five feet were randomly selected and evaluated for foot radiographic measurement. The calcaneal inclination angle (CIA) and calcaneal-first metatarsal angle (C1MA) were the radiographic measurements in the sagittal plane. The talonavicular coverage angle (TNCA) and talus-second metatarsal angle (T2MA) were the radiographic measurements in the transverse plane. Normative ranges of the assessment parameters were set by the range of mean±one standard deviation (S.D.). Flatfoot was diagnosed if these parameters were further than one S.D. from the mean. Correlations between clinical and radiographic measurements were also evaluated. Results: The mean AI was 0.2 (S.D.=0.1). The means of the CIA and C1MA were 19.2 degrees (S.D.=4.0) and 135.1 degrees (S.D.=6.9), respectively. The means of the TNCA and T2MA were 17.8 degrees (S.D.=8.6) and 19.4 degrees (S.D.=10.0), respectively. The AI had significant correlations with the CIA (r=-0.4, p-value=0.036) and C1MA (r=0.5, p-value<0.010). Conclusion: These foot classification criteria should be useful in determining foot type in Asians for future foot studies.

Keywords

• evaluation
• flatfoot
• radiograph
• thais