Ann Rehabil Med.  2020 Aug;44(4):320-326. 10.5535/arm.19091.

Flat Foot and Postural Harmony in 6-Year-Old Caucasians: What is Their Relationship?

• Paolucci T
• Pezzi L
• Mannocci A
• La Torre G
• Bellomo RG
• Saggini R

• KMID: 2505392
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.19091

Abstract

Objective
To determine whether asymptomatic flexible flat feet show specific postural assessment with respect to neutral feet in 6-year-old children.
Methods
In this cross-sectional observational study, 164 subjects were observed and divided into two groups: 57 with flexible flat feet and 107 with neutral feet. A non-quantitative inspection by podoscopy and baropodometry were performed to evaluate plantar support, and a clinical examination to assess postural setting.
Results
The prevalence of flexible flat feet was 34.8%. The differenceinthe mean centre of pressure (CoP) between the two groups was significant (p=0.028), regarding the antero-posterior direction of CoP only. There was no significant differencein the presence of postural growth disharmony between the neutral and flat-feet groups.
Conclusion
The flattening of the plantar archseems to be linked to a displacement of CoP Y, more posterior in flat feet than in neutral feet; on the other hand, postural harmony in 6-year-old children during growth is not influenced by flat feet.

Keyword

Posture; Pediatric; Pes planus; Rehabilitation

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Static baropodometric test performed with the subject barefoot, in the standard reference position (bipodalic support and parallel feet, aligned at the heel 5 cm apart), with an acquisition time of 5 seconds with open eyes. (A) A footprint of neutral foot and (B) a footprint of flat foot. The gray circle shows the ideal position of the CoM’s linear projection on the ground, and the green circle shows the actual position of the CoM’s linear projection on the ground. CoM, center of mass.

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