ANTHROPOMETRIC ASSESSMENT OF PAEDIATRIC FLAT FOOT: A DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY STUDY

Authors

  • Nadira Hameed Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College Faisal Base Karachi
  • Najma Baseer Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
  • Zilli Huma Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan
  • Sumaira Javed Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad
  • Tauseef Raza Khyber Medical University Institute of Medical Sciences Kohat
  • Aisha Sadaf Khyber Medical University Institute of Dental Sciences Kohat

Abstract

Background: Flat-foot involves total collapse of medial longitudinal arch, which becomes distressful when children begin to stand on their feet. Flat foot is usually diagnosed on clinical examination, however due to lack of a standardized protocol, there are conflicting views regarding its management. The objective of this study is to determine the accuracy of radiographic and podometric measurements in diagnosing paediatric flat foot. Methods: It was a cross sectional diagnostic accuracy study. Eighty-four children of preschool and school going age were recruited equally into control and flat foot groups. Each child was examined clinically and was further classified into having flexible or rigid flat foot. For radiographic assessment, lateral and anteroposterior foot radiographs were taken while footprints were captured using podoscope and analysed with FREESTEP software. The diagnostic accuracy and correlation among different parameters were also computed. Results: Clinically, of the 42 children in the flat foot group, 26 had flexible while 16 had rigid flat foot. Of these, 40 children were flat footed on one or more radiographic parameters, while 36 had podometric measurements within the flat foot range. Radiography had the sensitivity and specificity of 95% and 69%, respectively, while podometry was 86% sensitive and 47% specific. Clark’s angle had highest sensitivity of 90%, with AUC of 0.952. A strong positive correlation was found between arch index and talocalcaneal angle (r=.805). Conclusion: The diagnostic accuracy of radiography was more than podometry. More specific and sensitive parameters in combination with clinical assessment may prove to be useful in the management of paediatric flat foot.Keywords: Flat foot; Flexible flat foot; Rigid flat foot; Podoscope; Foot arch; Sensitivity; Preschool children; School going children

Author Biographies

Nadira Hameed, Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College Faisal Base Karachi

Lecturer Anatomy, Fazaia Ruth Pfau Medical College Faisal Base Karachi

Najma Baseer, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan

Assistant Professor AnatomyInstitute of Basic Medical SciencesKhyber Medical University PeshawarPakistan

Zilli Huma, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan

Associate Professor AnatomyInstitute of Basic Medical SciencesKhyber Medical University PeshawarPakistan

Sumaira Javed, Ayub Medical College, Abbottabad

Assistant Professor, Department of Anatomy, Ayub Medical College Abbottabad

Tauseef Raza, Khyber Medical University Institute of Medical Sciences Kohat

Professor Orthopedics, Khyber Medical University Institute of Medical Sciences Kohat

Aisha Sadaf, Khyber Medical University Institute of Dental Sciences Kohat

Demonstrator Anatomy, Khyber Medical University Institute of Dental Sciences Kohat

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Published

2020-06-17

Issue

Vol. 32 No. 3 (2020): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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