Prevalence of Flexible Flatfoot Among School-Age Girls

Abstract

Background: Flatfoot in children is one of the most common conditions referred to physiatrists for evaluation and treatment. It is caused by the collapse of the medial longitudinal arch of the foot. Objectives: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of flatfoot and factors that affect it in a population of children. Patients and Methods: About 290 elementary school girls with an age range of 6 to 11 years were included in this study. For the assessment of flatfoot, navicular drop test was used. The generalized joint laxity was measured by Beighton score. Results: Prevalence of flexible flatfoot was 34.9%. Flatfoot prevalence was highest among six-year-old and lowest among 11-year-old children (P < 0.001). Children with joint laxity were also at higher risk of flatfoot (P = 0.01). Conclusions: This study indicates that younger school-age children with excessive joint laxity are more predisposed to develop flatfoot.