Radiographic Study of Pes Planovarus

Depending on the direction of the subtalar joint, a foot deformity generally tends towards pronation (pes planovalgus) or supination (pes cavovarus). However, the combination of hindfoot varus and flat midfoot/forefoot (pes planovarus) is an exception to this rule. Pes planovarus has so far only been referred to in connection with Müller-Weiss disease and congenital disease. We diagnosed pes planovarus in otherwise healthy patients without these diseases.

Forty patients with 54 symptomatic feet who were treated between August 2012 and July 2016 were included (mean age, 44.1 ± 15.7 years; 15 male/25 female). They were selected from 1064 consecutive cases (3.8%). Inclusion criteria were hindfoot varus and flat midfoot/forefoot. Their symptoms, radiographs, and therapies within the first 3 months were retrospectively analyzed. The position in the hindfoot alignment view (HAV), talometatarsal-1 angle lateral (TMT1lat) and dorsoplantar (TMT1dp), talocalcaneal angle lateral (TCAlat) and dorsoplantar (TCAdp), and calcaneal pitch angle (CPA) were measured on a DICOM/PACS system.

The mean radiological results (standard values from the literature in brackets) were as follows: the hindfoot was significantly in varus in the HAV (-6.9 ± 3.6 mm [-1.6 ± 7.2 mm]; P < .001), the TMT1lat was significantly flatter (-6.7 ± 5.8 degrees [8.4 ± 5.9 degrees]; P < .001), the TMT1dp was significantly less in abduction (1.5 ± 7.9 degrees [7.7 ± 8.2 degrees]; P = .005), the TCAdp showed no difference (25.9 ± 7.9 degrees [24.1 ± 5.7 degrees]; P = .118), the TCAlat was significantly larger (47.5 ± 6.1 degrees [43.4 ± 7.1 degrees]; P < .001), and the CPA was significantly flatter (17.6 ± 3.9 degrees [24.5 ± 3.0 degrees]; P < .001). The most frequent symptoms were stress-induced foot pain (n = 33), hallux valgus (n = 20), chronic ankle instability (n = 17), metatarsalgia (n = 15), chronic midfoot pain (n = 13), heel pain (n = 12), and lesser toe deformities (n = 8). Thirty-one feet were treated conservatively and 23 operatively.

This study showed the existence of pes planovarus without Müller-Weiss disease or congenital disease. This unusual foot form leads to difficulties if standard treatment strategies are applied, which raises the issue of the correct treatment for such patients.

Level IV, retrospective case series.