Flat Feet Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Flat Feet, including details on flatfoot, fallen arches, children, treatment, arthrodesis.

Normative data for the dynamic pedobarographic profiles of children.

Alvarez C, De Vera M, Chhina H, Black A

University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Orthopaedics, BC Children's Hospital, A203 – 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 3V4, Canada.

In order to establish the clinical utility of pedobarography in the treatment of childhood foot pathology, a reliable set of pedobarograph data describing non-pathologic feet is required. The purpose of this study was to describe the pedobarographic profiles of normal children across all ages, with specific focus on young children and explore age-related differences in foot pressure patterns. The Tekscan HR Mattrade mark pressure measurement system was used in a protocol involving a dynamic test at self-selected speed and walking pattern of 146 normal children (age range 1.6-14.9 years). Relative force and timing data were obtained across five foot segments (heel, lateral midfoot, medial midfoot, lateral forefoot, and medial forefoot). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) techniques were applied to determine if there were any age-related differences in foot pressure profiles in children across four a priori pedobarograph variables: % of stance at initiation at the heel, % of stance at initiation at the medial midfoot, maximum % force at the heel, maximum % force at the medial midfoot. Differences in foot pressure profiles were distinguished across three age groups: (1) Group 1: <2 years; (2) Group 2: 2-5 years; and (3) Group 3: >5 years. Age-related differences in initiation patterns, force transmission, and the amount of time spent on each foot segment provide evidence for maturation of children's foot pressure profiles from a flatfoot pattern in the young child to a curvilinear pattern in the older child.

Published 17 April 2008 in Gait Posture.
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Articles on Flat Feet published 31 March 2008:

Management of back pain in patients with previous back surgery.   Am J Med, 121(4): 272-8.

The 80,000 or so patients a year who continue to have chronic, disabling back pain after one or more spinal surgeries are said to have failed back surgery syndrome. There are no controlled studies to guide physicians in the management of these patients. Six anatomical abnormalities of the spine most commonly result in back surgery, and 7 undesirable outcomes lead to failed back surgery syndrome. On the basis of 5 large retrospective studies and our clinical experience, we suggest a systematic ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Flat Feet published 21 March 2008:

Sacroiliac joint fusion and the implications for manual therapy diagnosis and treatment.   Man Ther, 13(2): 155-8.

The present paper examines gender differences and changes in prevalence of ankylosed sacroiliac joint (SIJ) with age. SIJs of 287 patients (159 males and 128 females), aged 22-93 years, were examined for fusion, using 3-D CT images. Presence, side and location of the fusion along the joint borders were recorded. Fusion of the SIJ was found to be gender and age dependent; present in 27.7% of all males in contrast to only 3.0% in females (p<0.001). The phenomenon increased with age in the male ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Flat Feet published 19 March 2008:

Adult-acquired flatfoot deformity following posterior tibialis to dorsum transfer: a case report.   Foot Ankle Int, 29(3): 351-3.

A previous study showed that flatfoot deformity does not develop after posterior tibialis to dorsum transfer in patients with peroneal nerve palsy. Their conclusion was that it is the unopposed pull of the peroneus brevis which leads to the flatfoot deformity in posterior tibial tendon dysfunction. This case report presents a patient who developed a flatfoot deformity after posterior tibialis to dorsum transfer despite nonfunctioning peroneal muscles. [Abstract] [Full-text]

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We report a patient who suffered drop attacks during head reclination. Computer tomography of the cervical spine demonstrated a stenotic right vertebral artery at C4/5. However, Doppler ultrasonography of the vertebral artery showed no abnormality. Angiography confirmed complete occlusion of the left vertebral and a stenosis of the right vertebral artery. Dynamic angiography indicated occlusion of the stenotic region on the right side during reclination of the head. Surgery using a posterior ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Flat Feet published 10 March 2008:

The fate of elbow arthrodesis: indications, techniques, and outcome in fourteen patients.   J Shoulder Elbow Surg, 17(2): 293-306.

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