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.

Clinical practice : Static, axial, and rotational deformities of the lower extremities in children.

Fabry G

Department of Children's Orthopedics, University Hospital Pellenberg, Leuven, Belgium, guy.fabry@telenet.be.

Static, axial, and rotational deformities of the lower extremities are very frequent in children and often a reason for clinic visits. It is important to make a difference between physiological, usually spontaneously healing conditions, and real pathology. Flatfeet and less frequently cavus feet are the main foot problems. Special attention should be paid to the cavovarus foot that often has an underlying neurological disorder. Localized foot pain has usually a very specific cause and needs further investigation. Genua valga and genua vara are typical for a given age group and correct usually spontaneously. Toeing in and toeing out are mainly cosmetic problems and can be caused by tibial or femoral rotation, very rarely by a foot deformity. Leg length discrepancy is also frequent and in most patients limited to less than 2 cm, causing no further problems. Follow-up is, however, needed because of possible increasing discrepancy during growth.

Published 21 January 2010 in Eur J Pediatr.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

Articles on Flat Feet published 18 January 2010:

Homozygous frameshift mutation in TMCO1 causes a syndrome with craniofacial dysmorphism, skeletal anomalies, and mental retardation.   Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 107(1): 258-63.

We identified an autosomal recessive condition in 11 individuals in the Old Order Amish of northeastern Ohio. The syndrome was characterized by distinctive craniofacial dysmorphism, skeletal anomalies, and mental retardation. The typical craniofacial dysmorphism included brachycephaly, highly arched bushy eyebrows, synophrys, long eyelashes, low-set ears, microdontism of primary teeth, and generalized gingival hyperplasia, whereas Sprengel deformity of scapula, fusion of spine, rib abnormities, ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Flat Feet published 6 January 2010:

Postoperative instrumented spine infections: a retrospective review.   South Med J, 103(1): 25-30.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative infection following posterior instrumentation of the spine is not uncommon and is a potentially catastrophic complication. Removal of the instrumentation is ideal for eradicating infection. However, removal is not always possible from a structural standpoint. An alternative is to treat the patient with antibiotics in combination with irrigation and debridement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patients undergoing posterior instrumentation of the thoracolumbar spine from a ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Flat Feet published 5 January 2010:

Predictability of the fulcrum bending radiograph in scoliosis correction with alternate-level pedicle screw fixation.   J Bone Joint Surg Am, 92(1): 169-76.

BACKGROUND: The fulcrum bending radiograph accurately predicts scoliosis curve correction in patients with thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who are managed with hooks. We assessed the predictive value of the fulcrum bending radiograph in the context of alternate-level pedicle screw fixation of the scoliotic spine. METHODS: A prospective radiographic analysis of patients with thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis who were managed operatively with alternate-level pedicle screw fixation ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Plantar pressures in patients with and without lateral foot pain after lateral column lengthening.   J Bone Joint Surg Am, 92(1): 81-91.

BACKGROUND: Lateral column lengthening, a commonly used adjuvant for the reconstruction of adult flatfoot deformity, can lead to postoperative complaints of lateral plantar pain or discomfort. We hypothesized that patients with such symptoms would have increased lateral plantar pressures when compared with matched controls without these symptoms. METHODS: Ten subjects who had undergone lateral column lengthening and were experiencing pain or discomfort in the plantar-lateral aspect of the foot ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Flat Feet published 1 January 2010:

Management of fractures of the pedicle after instrumentation with transpedicular screws: A report of three patients.   J Bone Joint Surg Br, 92(1): 98-102.

Fracture of a pedicle is a rare complication of spinal instrumentation using pedicular screws, but it can lead to instability and pain and may necessitate extension of the fusion. Osteosynthesis of the fractured pedicle by cerclage-wire fixation and augmentation of the screw fixation by vertebroplasty or temporary elongation of the fixation, allows stabilisation without sacrifice of the adjacent healthy segment. We describe three patients who developed a fracture of the pedicle in the most ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Flat Feet published 28 December 2009:

Cadaveric flatfoot model: Ligament attenuation and Achilles tendon overpull.   J Orthop Res, 27(12): 1547-54.

Flatfoot deformity is characterized by loss of the medial longitudinal arch, forefoot abduction, hindfoot eversion, and often Achilles tendon contracture. Our objectives were to validate a cadaveric flatfoot model that involves selective ligament attenuation and to determine if Achilles tendon overpull is associated with increased pes planus severity. We measured the three-dimensional (3D) orientation of the bones of interest in the unloaded, loaded, and Achilles tendon overpull conditions. A ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Flat Feet published 23 December 2009:

High fusion rates with circular plate fixation for four-corner arthrodesis of the wrist.   Clin Orthop Relat Res, 468(1): 163-8.

BACKGROUND: Scaphoid excision and four-corner fusion is commonly performed to reconstruct advanced scapholunate collapse and scaphoid nonunion with collapse. Metallic plates were introduced for achieving fixation of the four carpal bones. Although the developer reported high rates of fusion, several other early reports of circular plate fixation suggest higher complication rates and inferior outcomes compared with traditional fixation techniques. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: To clarify the controversy ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Flat Feet published 22 December 2009:

Effect of medial arch support on displacement of the myotendinous junction of the gastrocnemius during standing wall stretching.   J Orthop Sports Phys Ther, 39(12): 867-74.

STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. OBJECTIVES: To examine the effects of standing wall stretching with and without medial arch support (WMAS versus WOMAS) on the displacement of the myotendinous junction (DMTJ) of the medial gastrocnemius, rearfoot angle, and navicular height in subjects with neutral foot alignment and pes planus. BACKGROUND: Standing wall stretching is often prescribed to increase ankle dorsiflexion range of motion for sports fitness and rehabilitation. However, the ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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