A Study to Evaluate the Prevalence of Flatfoot in School Children and Adolescents Aged Between 5 To 16 Years in Coimbatore South India

Abstract

ABSTRACT newline newlineAim: newlineTo ascertain flatfoot prevalence in urban, rural and tribal school children and adolescents ranging from 5 to 16 years of age and to evaluate the factors age, gender, BMI, footwear, ligament laxity, socioeconomic status, familial history, range of movement of foot influencing flatfoot in Coimbatore, South India. newline newlineMethods: newlineThis is a descriptive cross sectional study involving 2954 children (1527 boys and 1427 girls) divided in to three groups urban, rural and tribal. The screening of flatfoot was based on the Footprint analysis, Navicular drop test, Foot posture index and Longitudinal arch angle methods. Height and weight were measured using a portable Stadiometer to find out body mass index (BMI). The range of movement of ankle and subtalar joint was measured using goniometer. The statistical analysis was performed using SPSS, version 17.0. Chi-square analysis was done to analyze the relationship between the flatfoot and its risk factors influencing it and plt 0.05 indicates statistical significance in the study. newlineResults: newlineIn the present study Foot print method, Navicular drop test, Foot posture index and Longitudinal arch angle measurement were used for screening flatfoot in urban, rural and tribal population. The foot print method was found to be most effective as well as simple, user friendly and cost effective in detecting flatfoot. The results showed overall flatfoot prevalence of 22 % with highest rate of prevalence of 32% in urban group followed by 23% in rural and 9% in tribal group. In obese and overweight children flatfoot prevalence was much higher than normal weight and underweight children. Among the flatfoot individuals the ligament laxity observed was high, moderate and low in urban, rural and tribal group respectively. In those children with shoe wearing habits with prolonged usage especially below six years, higher prevalence of flatfoot was found. newline newline