Improving the criteria for a comprehensive assessment of the foot condition during preventive medical examinations of children and adolescents

Abstract

Introduction. According to the results of in-depth medical examinations of students of different age groups, the leading ranks in the structure of functional abnormalities and chronic diseases belong to disorders and diseases of the musculoskeletal system (MSS), including disorders of the formation of the foot. The purpose of the study is to improve the methodological support for a comprehensive assessment of the foot condition during preventive medical examinations of children and adolescents. Materials and methods. The study involved 222 children 7-10 years old and 330 children and adolescents 11-18 years old. The assessment of the foot condition was based on the visual research method and the plantography method using the Bauerfiend plantograph (Germany). The condition of the longitudinal arch of the foot was assessed using the Shtriter method, and the transverse arch was assessed using the foot width index. We used an Express method for evaluating the position of the forefoot and a method for visualizing the footprint to identify options for distributing the support load on the plantar surface of the foot. Results. A method of the comprehensive assessment of the foot condition in students aged 7-18 years based on visual and instrumental research methods has been developed. The criteria values of indices for evaluating the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot are justified. The normal longitudinal arch of the foot is set at the value of the Streeter index - 36-50% for children aged 7-10 years and 40-53% - for teenagers of 11-18 years. The normal state of the transverse arch of the foot corresponded to the values of the foot width index in the range of 37-40% for children 7-10 years old and 36-39% for adolescents 11-18 years old. Conclusion. The presented algorithm of foot examination and criteria for a comprehensive assessment of its condition can be used for mass preventive medical examinations of children and adolescents to improve the accuracy of diagnostics and increase their effectiveness.