INTRODUCTION
Posture of the foot varies considerably among children,
adults, and the older population.[1] Some variations
in foot alignment are associated with changes in
lower limb movement[2,3] and muscle action[4] and
are strongly influenced by some systemic conditions
too.[5] Flexible flat foot is characterized by medial
rotation and plantar flexion of the talus, eversion of
the calcaneus, collapsed medial arch, and abduction
of the forefoot.[6,7] The prevalence changes with age,
the type of population studied, and the presence of
Research Article
1
Department of Anatomy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, 2
Department of
Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy, School of Physiotherapy, Vels Institute of Science, Technology and Advanced Studies,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
*Corresponding author: Mr. Murali Punniakotti, Department of Anatomy, SRM Institute of Science and Technology,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. Phone: +91-9841667912. E-mail:
senthilp101010@gmail.com
Received on: 24-08-2018; Revised on: 17-09-2018; Accepted on: 22-01-2019
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Website: jprsolutions.info ISSN: 0975-7619
other pathologies. Some studies show the prevalence
between 26.5%[8] and 19.0%[9] and other studies
on patients with associated comorbidity report a
prevalence of 37%.[10] Flat foot has been associated to
family history, the use of footwear in infancy, obesity,
and urban residence,[11] and it has also been associated
with age,[12] gender,[13] and foot length.[14] The presence
of flat foot has also been associated with the presence
of different states of health,[15] the presence of pain,
and the fatigue in women.[8] Other studies, however,
find no relationship of pain or functionality with
the changes in the foot.[16,17] In clinical practice, flat
foot may be diagnosed through different procedures
such as clinical diagnosis,[18] radiological study,[19]
and footprint analysis.[20] Footprint analysis using a
pedograph is a swift and cost-effective method. The
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Foot posture varies in all age groups which may be due to foot alignment, aging, and muscle activity. The
prevalence may be due to changes with age, gender, obesity, foot length, and the presence of other problems. In clinical
practice, flat foot may be evaluated using clinical evaluation, radiological method, and footprint analysis method. Footprint
analysis using a pedograph is a swift and cost-effective compare to other methods. Aim of the Study: This study aims to
calculate the flat foot using central distance measurement and compared with Staheli’s foot index value to classify the normal
and flat-arched foot posture in the young population. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study design with random
sampling allocation from a population of college-going undergraduate final year students from our institution. The sample was
randomly selected, after being stratified by age and gender, and a total of 94 subjects with sample size were included in this
study, respectively. To study the footprint by pedograph, central distance measurement and the Staheli’s arch index were used
separately from each participant. Results: After the data analysis shows that the normal right foot Staheli’s index with mean
± standard deviation (SD) is 0.586 ± 0.18 and central distance measurement is 3.70 ± 0.76, and the correlation of these two
variables shows a negative correlation with r = −0.313. Similarly, normal left foot Staheli’s index and central distance variables
mean ± SD are 0.614 ± 0.20 and 3.60 ± 0.72, respectively, negative correlation with r = −0.238. Participants with right sided
mild flat foot of Staheli’s index and central distance measurement variables mean ± SD values are 1.18 ± 0.04 and 1.37 ± 0.37
respectively and shows stronger negative correlation of r = −0.948. Participants with left sided severe flat foot of Staheli’s
index and central distance measurement variables mean ± SD values are 1.99 ± 0.32 and 0.58 ± 0.13 respectively with negative
correlation of r = −0.357. Conclusion: The central distance measurement methods show easier and cost-effective method after
compared with Staheli’s foot index value. Further, research is required to determine whether the central distance measurement
variable provides the best reliable methods of measuring the foot arches in larger samples with varying ages.
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