Do corrective shoes improve the development of the medial longitudinal arch in children with flexible flat feet?

Category: Midfoot/Forefoot Introduction/Purpose: Several conservative treatment methods, from intrinsic muscle exercises to orthoses, including insoles or specially designed shoes, have been introduced for pediatric flexible flat foot (PFFF). However, the structural effects of orthoses use remain unclear because the normal physiological maturation of the medial longitudinal arch cannot be ruled out. Methods: A comprehensive literature search using five databases, namely MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Scopus, the Web of Science, and EMBASE, was performed for pertinent articles published before March 30, 2018. Studies with quantitative data on the effects of the long-term use of orthoses for PFFF were included. The search strategy was adapted as appropriate for all other databases searched considering the differences in indexing terms and search syntax for each database. Results: All studies, including randomized controlled trials or prospective cohort studies, could not prove the estimated effects of orthoses on the medial longitudinal arch. However, they revealed that flexible flat feet in young children slowly improved with growth, regardless of the type of footwear used. However, three of four studies, which were case series, revealed that positive long-term effects could be achieved using orthoses. Conclusion: There is no strong evidence that the long-term use of orthoses improved the structural problem of PFFF.

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Relationship of Body Mass Index and Footprint Morphology to the Actual Height of the Medial Longitudinal Arch of the Foot

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18189815 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (18) ◽

pp. 9815

Author(s):

Carolina Rosende-Bautista ◽

Pedro V. Munuera-Martínez ◽

Teresa Seoane-Pillado ◽

María Reina-Bueno ◽

Francisco Alonso-Tajes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Individual Characteristics ◽

Medial Longitudinal Arch ◽

Men And Women ◽

Foot Posture Index ◽

Posture Index ◽

Longitudinal Arch ◽

Flat Feet ◽

Foot Posture

The medial longitudinal arch height of the foot is linked to individual characteristics such as sex and body mass index, and these characteristics have been shown to be associated with conditions such as flat feet. In this cross-sectional descriptive study, we examined the medial longitudinal arch morphology in an adult population to determine if there are differences related to sex and body mass index, and values were obtained for the foot posture index. Normalized anthropometric measurements and arch indices were calculated from footprints. Groups, defined by sex and body mass index, were compared, and the correlations between body mass index and the variables were determined. In the population studied (266 women and 177 men), significant differences between men and women for the foot posture index and normalized arch measurements were found. Analysis of the variables related to body mass index indicated there were significant differences in arch indices. Significant differences and positive correlations were also found between the arch index and body mass index for the left and right feet among the men and women studied. The results obtained allow us to reflect on and analyze whether the medial longitudinal arch morphology classification methods used in the clinical and research setting are adequate or whether the influence of factors such as body mass index can generate confusion.

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Assessment of the Foot’s Longitudinal Arch by Different Indicators and Their Correlation with the Foot Loading Paradigm in School-Aged Children: A Cross Sectional Study

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18105196 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (10) ◽

pp. 5196

Author(s):

Beata Szczepanowska-Wołowiec ◽

Paulina Sztandera ◽

Ireneusz Kotela ◽

Marek Zak

Keyword(s):

Morphological Structure ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Strongly Correlated ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

School Aged Children ◽

Longitudinal Arch ◽

Flat Feet ◽

Foot Loading ◽

Static Conditions ◽

Increased Pressure

Background: There are numerous studies assessing the morphological structure of the foot, but there is a notable scarcity of those focused on juxtaposing various longitudinal arch indices with foot loading paradigm. The present study aimed to determine the overall reliability, diagnostic accuracy of respective variables, and their correlation with the foot loading paradigm. Methods: The study group consisted of 336 children, aged 10–15 years (girls 49.1% and boys 50.9%). The morphological structure of the plantar part of the foot in static conditions was assessed with the aid of a 2D podoscan. Individual foot loading paradigm in static conditions was assessed making use of the FreeMed platform. Results: Staheli (SI), Chippaux–Smirak (CSI), and Sztriter–Godunow (KY) indices were strongly correlated with each other (ρ > 0.84, p < 0.001). Own research corroborated an increased pressure of hollow feet, as assessed by the SI, CSI, and KY indices, on the forefoot and the hindfoot, foot zones B, E, F; these correlations being statistically significant. The results yielded by the present study also indicate an increased pressure on the metatarsal, and foot zones C, D of the flat feet. Conclusions: Flatfootedness is not believed to be a common deformity among children and adolescents. The SI, CSI, and KY indices were found to be strongly correlated, as well as proved reliable in assessing the foot’s longitudinal arch.

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