Abstract

MORPHOMETRIC ANALYSIS OF FOOT IN YOUNG ADULT INDIVIDUALS

Arthi Ganapathy*, Dr. Sadeesh T and Dr. Sudha Rao

ABSTRACT

Background: The foot is provided with three bony arches: the medial longitudinal arch, the lateral longitudinal arch and the transverse arch to bear the body weight and propel it during locomotion. Abnormalities in the arches of foot lead to different foot deformities. When diagnosed early in their onset can be corrected by non operative methods and their progression delayed. The present study therefore aims in finding the prevalence of different types of foot in young individuals. Prevalence of different types of foot shapes (Egyptian, Grecian and square type) was also determined. Methods: Two hundred and fifty medical students of Mahatma Gandhi Medical College and Research Institute, Pondicherry, India within the age group of 18-24yrs were included in this study. The foot impression of both right and left feet was taken on white sheets in standing position. The foot prints were visually assessed for different foot types. Plantar arch index and normalized navicular height were calculated for all foot types. Results: The prevalence of flat and high arch feet in the present study was 5.2% and 2% respectively. The range of arch index for normal, flat and high arch feet type were 0.15- 0.98 and 0.11-0.96, 0.96- 1.87 and 1.11- 1.51 and 0- 0.28 and 0- 0.26 for right and left feet respectively. Correlation between arch index and different types of foot was statistically significant (p value = 0.00). Normalized navicular height range observed for normal, flat and high arch feet group were 0.15- 0.41 and 0.15- 0.43, 0.16- 0.31 and 0.16- 0.32 and 0.26- 0.32 and 0.25- 0.31 for right and left feet respectively. These values significantly correlated with different types of foot (p value <0.05). Conclusion: The range of arch index and normalized navicular height varies significantly for different types of foot hence can be used to accurately delineate the normal, low and high arch foot.

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