Lower extremity kinematics in children with and without flexible flatfoot: a comparative study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Biomechanics
• Movement Science

Background:

• Flexible flatfoot is common in children, persisting into adulthood for about 15% of the population.
• Reduced arch height in flexible flatfoot is often associated with excessive subtalar joint pronation and potential lower extremity kinetic chain issues.
• Understanding lower extremity kinematics in children with flexible flatfoot is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare lower extremity kinematics during walking in children with flexible flatfeet versus those with normal arches.
• To provide practical insights for clinical decision-making in the management of pediatric flexible flatfoot.
• To identify potential kinematic differences that may explain or be associated with flexible flatfoot in children.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study involving 20 children with flexible flatfeet and 10 children with normal arches (mean age ~9.7 years).
• Utilized the Liberty Electromagnetic Tracking System to collect kinematic data (angles, range, velocity, excursion) of the hip, knee, and rearfoot during walking.
• Employed repeated measures mixed effects ANOVA to compare kinematic variables between the two groups.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were observed in the movement patterns of the hip, knee, and ankle joints between children with flexible flatfeet and those with normal arches.
• Analysis revealed no statistically significant main effects or interactions for any kinematic variables analyzed (P ≥ 0.05).
• The study found no kinematic adaptations during walking in children diagnosed with flexible flatfoot.

Conclusions:

• The study did not identify any kinematic adaptations during walking in children with flexible flatfoot.
• Future research is recommended to investigate the influence of the mid-foot and forefoot on lower extremity kinematics in children with flexible flatfoot.
• Current findings suggest that kinematic analysis alone may not fully explain the biomechanics of flexible flatfoot in this pediatric population.