Risk factors for flat foot in preparatory school children : clinical and electrophysiological studies

الملخص EN

Material & Methods : Four hundred preparatory school children aged from eleven to fifteen years were enrolled in this study.

Bilateral static footprints were taken to evaluate the configuration of the medial longitudinal arch and the occurrence of flat foot (FF) in them.

Risk factors that might influence the development of the medial arch were studied (body mass index “BMI”, hypermobility, standing and walking hours and the type of foot wear).

Moreover, the distal motor latencies, conduction velocities and amplitude of the M responses of the posterior tibial nerve were measured to establish if pes plans may cause tension in the posterior tibial nerve.

Also electro-myographic (EMG) interference pattern (IP) of the evertors and invertors of the foot as turns in relation to mean amplitude to elicit the normal cloud in controls and compare it with the data points of case was performed.

Results : Flat foot occurred in 20 % and 28 % of the male and female groups respectively.

Again, the incidence of hypermobility was 12 % and 8 % in the female and male groups respectively.

There was a +ve correlation between the occurrence and degree of FF and BMI and ligamentous laxity.

The electrophysiological studies of the posterior tibial nerve were within normal range.

But on comparing both groups (subjects with flat foot and normal foot) there were significant differences in the distal motor latencies of the posterior tibial nerve.

There was no statistically significant difference in the mean amplitude of motor units and number of turns between cases of FF and controls.

However, data points (MA/T) revealed that 40 % were abnormal i.e.

placed above and to the left in relation to the normal cloud.

Conclusion : The presented data clarify the importance of paying attention to the problem of flat foot and factors that might influence its occurrence.

Proper strategies should be taken to decrease the incidence of flat foot in school children.