Prevalence of lower limb deformities among primary school students

Sahar Saad Ganeb,Abdelmoniem Abdelfattah Younis,Asmaa Moheiy Abd El-Aziz,Nashwa Ismail Hashaad,Sami El-Said Egaila

doi:10.1186/s43166-021-00082-1

Sahar Saad Ganeb, Abdelmoniem Abdelfattah Younis + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s43166-021-00082-1

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Abstract

BackgroundLower limb deformities could affect child's quality of life and may worsen with time. This work aims to study the prevalence of lower limb deformities among primary school students in our governorate.MethodsThis cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 4689 students attending 12 public primary schools during the academic year 2019–2020.Complete clinical examination was done for picking of cases of genu varum, genu valgum, genu recurvatum, flat foot, pes cavus, hallux valgus, in-toeing, and lower limb discrepancy, and x-ray on both feet, pelvis, and full-length lower limb was requested.ResultsThis cross-sectional descriptive study included 4689 students. The prevalence of lower limb (LL) deformities was 16.61%. One hundred twenty-three (2.62%) children had a positive history of musculoskeletal pain, 0.09% had genu varum, 0.11% had genu valgum, 0.75% had Genu recurvatum, 0.03% had LL discrepancy, 13.86% had flexible flat foot, 1.22% had rigid flat foot, 0.23% had pes cavus, 1.04 % had in-toeing, 0.06% had hallux varus, and 0.11% had hallux valgus.ConclusionsLower limb deformities are a considerable problem in primary school students that need early diagnosis because it could affect child’s future, health, and career. Further studies are needed to investigate spinal deformity, vit D level, calcium level, foot wear, and school bag weight as hidden factors.

Highlights

Lower limb deformities could affect child's quality of life and may worsen with time
Deformities could start in childhood and their harmful effects may continue till adulthood [2]
Less than one-quarter of the children (16.61%, 779 children) had Lower limb (LL) deformity, and only 2.62% had a history of musculoskeletal (MUS) pain

Summary

Introduction

Lower limb deformities could affect child's quality of life and may worsen with time. Lower limb (LL) deformities are common among pediatric population. Foot posture acts a pivotal role in lower limb performance. Flexible flat foot (FFF) fade with non-weight-bearing and infrequently requires treatment, even though overuse may cause pain rigid FF occurs due to acquired or congenital factors as collagen disorders, trauma, spastic conditions, or neuromuscular conditions [8]. Lower limb (LL) discrepancy is one of the common musculoskeletal deformities which may be complicated by scoliosis [10]. In-toeing is caused by a rotational variation anywhere in the lower extremity that causes the foot to point inward like metatarsus adductus, internal tibial torsion, and femoral anteversion [11]. This work aims to study the prevalence of lower limb deformities among primary school students in our governorate

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