Abstract
Background: Flexible flatfoot is a frequent condition in childhood that needs to be treated when symptomatic. The aim of this study was to analyze pedobarographic and gait outcomes of patients with painful flexible flatfoot who underwent the anterograde calcaneo-stop procedure. Methods: All patients scheduled for surgical correction of painful flexible flatfoot between April and September 2011 were offered to participate in a study of dynamic pedobarographic and gait analyses before surgery and 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery. A healthy control group of similar age and physical characteristics also underwent dynamic pedobarographic and gait analyses. Results: Fifteen patients accepted to undergo dynamic pedobarography and gait analyses. The data were compared with fifteen controls of similar age and BMI. No significant differences were found on dynamic pedobarography within patients at different endpoints, except for a decreased percentage of plantigrade phase and increased percentage of digitigrade phase at 12 months post-op in comparison with 3 months post-op, nor when compared with control. Similarly, when range of motion was taken into consideration, no significant differences were found within patients at different endpoints, nor when compared with control, except for a decrease in ankle joint range of motion 24 months post-op in comparison with the controls. The stride was significantly decreased before surgery and became like controls 24 months after the procedure. The cadence, significantly decreased 24 months after surgery in comparison with the pre-surgical set, was similar to the controls. No significant differences were seen in the walking speed within patients at different endpoints and the controls. The cycle time significantly increased 24 months after surgery when compared to the pre-op situation, and was similar to the controls. Conclusion: Dynamic pedobarographic and gait analyses were useful not only to identify the gait impairment in patients with symptomatic flexible flatfoot, but also to measure the treatment outcome through the analysis of the surgery’s impact on the gait quality.
Highlights
After approval by the Institutional Review Board on 24 February 2011 (11/15), all patients who presented at our institution between April 2011 and September 2011 with painful flexible flatfoot and were scheduled for surgical correction were offered to participate in a study of dynamic pedobarographic and gait analyses to be performed before surgery and 3, 12, and 24 months after surgery
All patients with symptomatic flexible flatfoot, defined by clinical and radiographic evaluation, and resistant to nonoperative treatment, underwent the anterograde calcaneostop procedure [3] performed under local anesthesia, without tourniquet, with or without sedation
All patients agreeing to the study underwent dynamic pedobarographic and gait Forty-five underwent bilateral surgical correction of painful flexible flatfoot age between analyses at thepatients aforementioned endpoints
Summary
Flatfoot is a progressive developmental or acquired deformity characterized by the flattening of the medial arch, plantar, and medial rotation of the talus and forefoot abduction. Flexible flatfoot is frequent in childhood and represents a normal medial arch during nonweight bearing and a flattening of the arch on stance. It has long been a controversial issue whether to treat or to observe flexible flatfoot. When the conservative approach fails and the children present with pain or fatigue after physical activity, there is general agreement that surgical correction must be considered [1,2]. Among the different types of surgical treatments, we prefer to perform the anterograde calcaneo-stop procedure [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
