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The correlation between selected measurements from footprint and radiograph of flatfoot.

Chen CH, Huang MH, Chen TW, Weng MC, Lee CL, Wang GJ

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Chung-Ho Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Taiwan.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the subarch angle obtained from electronic footprints using a capacitive mat transducer system in children with flatfeet, to evaluate other foot arch indexes, and to compare the results with radiographic measurements. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. SETTING: Rehabilitation clinic in a municipal hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty-two children (age range, 7-13y) diagnosed with flatfeet. INTERVENTIONS: Radiographic measurements and foot shape measurements obtained from feet. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Talo-first metatarsal angle, talocalcaneal angle, talo-horizontal angle, and calcaneal angle were obtained from radiographs. Subarch angle, arch indexes, and long plantar angle were all captured and calculated via a capacitive transducer plate. RESULTS: Correlations between the subarch angle and the talo-first metatarsal angle, talo-horizontal angle, and arch height were significant, as was the correlation between midfoot arch index and talo-horizontal angle. The forefoot arch index had no significant relationship with radiographic parameters. The talo-horizontal angle and arch height had significant relationships with the long plantar angle. CONCLUSIONS: Measurement of the subarch angle had significant correlation with the radiographic parameters in children with flatfeet and it was accurately and easily obtained from a capacitive forceplate. Measurement of the subarch angle can be a useful tool in the assessment and diagnosis of flatfoot.

Published 30 January 2006 in Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 87(2): 235-40.
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