A STUDY ON PREVALENCE OF IDIOPATHIC FLATFOOT IN ADOLESCENTS OF NORTH EAST INDIA

Abstract

Introduction: “Pes planus” commonly known as “atfoot” is characterised by sagging of medial longitudinal arch with secondary hind foot valgus, forefoot abduction and supination relative to hind foot. Idiopathic type of atfoot is physiological and there is a lack of clear consensus about the maximum limit of age for its persistence. Assessment of medial longitudinal arch can be done either on clinical grounds or based on radiological evidences. Foot prints can be easily obtained with simple ink print method. They are simple, fast, inexpensive and non-invasive way to assess the arches of foot. The present study was conducted over a Materials and methods: period one year under Department of Orthopaedics, Assam Medical College & Hospital. In this community based cross sectional study, 800 school going children of age group 10 to 15 years were included. Bilateral footprints of all children were taken using simple ink print method. Results and Observations: The Staheli's PAI value ≥ +2SD from the mean was regarded as threshold index for atfoot in either feet. The cut off in left foot was PAI value ≥1.29 and for right foot it was ≥1.18 to dene atfoot. Number of children with normal foot was 704 (88%) compared to 72 children (9%) with atfoot. 3% of children had high arched foot. There is a signicant c Discussion and conclusion: orrelation in terms of persistence of atfoot in adolescents with obesity, faulty shoe wearing practices and children belonging to higher socio-economic groups. Though exible atfoot is self correctable but proper cut off age by which it resolves is still a matter of debate