Affiliations: [a] Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
Ankara Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Training and Research Hospital of
the Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
Note: [] Corresponding author: Elif Yalcin, Ankara Fizik Tedavi
Rehabilitasyon Egitim ve Arastırma Hastanesi Turkocagı Sokak Sihhiye,
Ankara, Turkey. Tel.: +90 5053749467; E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract: Background: Flexible flatfoot deformity is likely to be caused by
ligamentous laxity of the medial longitudinal arch, and this deformity could
change the mechanics of other joints, ligaments and tendons as well as foot
alignment. Aim: We hypothesized that position sense and muscle strength
could be impaired in patients with flatfoot compared to normal controls,
therefore we investigated position sense and ankle eversion inversion strengths
of individuals with flexible flatfoot. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: A rehabilitation center. Population: Twenty-six individuals with flexible flatfoot and 27 healthy control subjects were
evaluated. Methods: Absolute error (in degrees) for passive reproduction
of joint position tests and peak isokinetic strength of ankle muscles for
eversion and inversion were tested using the Biodex isokinetic dynamometer. Results: For individuals with flatfoot, passive reproduction of joint
position error scores in eversion were significantly higher for the dominant
side compared with the control group. No significant differences in eversion
and inversion muscle strength between flexible flatfoot and control groups were
found. Conclusion: We suggest that flexible flatfoot deformity may cause
deficits in proprioception accuracy. Clinical Rehabilitation Impact: In our opinion, clinicians must be aware and should take into account this
possible deficit in the management of these patients.
