The correlation between selected measurements from footprint and radiograph of flatfoot

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the subarch angle obtained from electronic footprints using a capacitive mat transducer system in children with flatfeet, to evaluate other foot arch indexes, and to compare the results with radiographic measurements.

Design: A cross-sectional study.

Setting: Rehabilitation clinic in a municipal hospital.

Participants: Thirty-two children (age range, 7-13y) diagnosed with flatfeet.

Interventions: Radiographic measurements and foot shape measurements obtained from feet.

Main outcome measures: Talo-first metatarsal angle, talocalcaneal angle, talo-horizontal angle, and calcaneal angle were obtained from radiographs. Subarch angle, arch indexes, and long plantar angle were all captured and calculated via a capacitive transducer plate.

Results: Correlations between the subarch angle and the talo-first metatarsal angle, talo-horizontal angle, and arch height were significant, as was the correlation between midfoot arch index and talo-horizontal angle. The forefoot arch index had no significant relationship with radiographic parameters. The talo-horizontal angle and arch height had significant relationships with the long plantar angle.

Conclusions: Measurement of the subarch angle had significant correlation with the radiographic parameters in children with flatfeet and it was accurately and easily obtained from a capacitive forceplate. Measurement of the subarch angle can be a useful tool in the assessment and diagnosis of flatfoot.