Alpesh Kothari

The relationship between quality of life and foot function in children with flexible flatfeet

Flat feet in children are common, and at times symptomatic, but the relationship between function and symptoms or impairment is still unclear. We undertook a prospective, observational study comparing children with paediatric flexible flat foot (PFF) and children with neutral feet (NF) using three dimensional gait analysis (3DGA). It was hypothesised that children with PFF would demonstrate differences in both spatio-temporal parameters of gait and foot and ankle kinematics compared to the NF group and that these differences would correlate with impaired quality of life (QoL). The kinematic differences were expected to be most marked in hindfoot coronal plane motion and forefoot sagittal and transverse plane motion. Eighty-three children between the ages of 8 and 15 were recruited in this study: Forty-two were classified as having PFF and forty-one as NF. Each child underwent 3DGA and completed the Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for Children (OxAFQ_C). Reduced OxAFQ_C physical domain scores in the PFF children were associated with slower walking speed (p=0.014) and reduced normalised stride length (p=0.008). PFF children also demonstrated significantly increased hindfoot eversion and forefoot supination during gait. Significant differences between groups were not observed for other foot and ankle joint motions. Increased maximum hindfoot eversion and increased forefoot supination correlated strongly with lower QoL scores in PFF children. These data further our understanding of the functional characteristics that lead to impaired QoL in PFF children. These findings will help guide the surveillance and management of children with this ubiquitous condition.

Are flexible flat feet associated with proximal joint problems in children

The role of flexible flat feet (FF) in the development of musculoskeletal symptoms at joints proximal to the ankle is unclear. We undertook an observational study to investigate the relationship between foot posture and the proximal joints in children. It was hypothesised that reduced arch height would be associated with proximal joint symptoms and altered gait kinematics and kinetics particularly in the transverse plane at the hip and knee. Ninety-five children between the ages of 8-15 were recruited into this ethically approved study. Foot posture was classified using the arch height index (AHI). The frequency of knee and hip/back pain was documented, and each child underwent three dimensional gait analysis. Reduced arch height was associated with increased odds of knee symptoms (p<0.01) and hip/back symptoms (p=0.01). A flat foot posture was also significantly associated with a reduction in the second peak of the vertical ground reaction force (p=0.03), which concomitantly affected late stance hip and knee moments. A reduced AHI was also associated with increased pelvic retraction and increased knee valgus in midstance. No kinematic and kinetic parameter associated with a flat foot posture related to increased proximal joint symptoms in the FF group. Children with a flatter foot posture are more likely to have pain or discomfort at the knee, hip and back; however, the mechanisms by which this occurs remain unclear. Treating FF without explicit understanding of how it relates to symptoms is difficult, and further work in this area is required.

An investigation into the aetiology of flexible flat feet: the role of subtalar joint morphology

AIMS There is increasing evidence that flexible flatfoot (FF) can lead to symptoms and impairment in health-related quality of life. As such we undertook an observational study investigating the aetiology of this condition, to help inform management. The hypothesis was that as well as increased body mass index (BMI) and increased flexibility of the lower limb, an absent anterior subtalar articulation would be associated with a flatter foot posture. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 84 children aged between eight and 15 years old were prospectively recruited. The BMI for each child was calculated, flexibility was assessed using the lower limb assessment scale (LLAS) and foot posture was quantified using the arch height index (AHI). Each child underwent a sagittal T1-weighted MRI scan of at least one foot. RESULTS An absent anterior subtalar articulation (p < 0.001) and increased LLAS (p = 0.001) predicted a low AHI. BMI was not a significant predictive factor (p = 0.566). CONCLUSION This is the first study to demonstrate the importance of the morphology of the subtalar joint on the underlying foot posture in vivo. TAKE HOME MESSAGE Flexibility of the lower limb and absence of the anterior facet of the subtalar joint are associated with flexible FF and may influence management of this common condition.

What is the early/mid-term survivorship and functional outcome after Bernese Periacetabular Osteotomy in a Pediatric Surgeon Practice?

BackgroundThe Bernese periacetabular osteotomy (PAO) is a recognized joint-preserving procedure. Achieving joint stability without creating impingement is important, but the orientation target that best balances these sometimes competing goals has not yet been clearly defined. Moreover, the learning curve of this challenging procedure has not been described.Questions/purposesThe purposes of this study were (1) to determine the 10-year survivorship and functional outcome after Bernese PAO in a single-surgeon series; (2) to review which patient, surgical, and radiographic factors might predict outcome after the procedure; and (3) to define the learning curve for target acetabular correction.MethodsThe first 68 PAOs performed for symptomatic hip dysplasia were retrospectively evaluated. None have been lost to followup with followup less than 2 years. Endpoints for the lost to followup (n = 2) are at the time of when last seen. During the study period, the same surgeon performed 562 pelvic osteotomies (including Salter, Pemberton, Dega and Chiari) and 64 shelf acetabuloplasties. Bernese PAO was used only for symptomatic dysplasia (center-edge angle < 25° and nonhorizontal acetabular roof) in developmentally mature hips without evidence of major joint incongruence or subluxation. Most patients were female (n = 49 [60 hips, 88%]); mean age at operation was 25 years (SD 7). Sixteen hips had previous hip procedures. The study’s mean followup was 8 years (range, 2–18 years). Patient-reported functional outcome was obtained using the WOMAC score (best-worst: 0–96). Radiographic parameters of dysplasia (acetabular index [AI], center-edge angle [CEA], congruency, Tönnis grade, and joint space) were evaluated from preoperative and postoperative radiographs using computer software.ResultsThe 10-year survival rate was 93% (95% confidence interval [CI], 82%–100%); four patients underwent further surgery to the hip in the study period. The mean WOMAC was 12 (range, 0–54). Factors that influenced survival included joint congruency (100% versus 78%; 95% CI, 61%–96%; p = 0.03) and acetabular orientation correction achieved (AIpostoperative < 15° [100% versus 65%; 95% CI, 43–88; p < 0.001] and CEApostoperative 20° to 40° [100% versus 71.9%; 52.8–100; p < 0.001]). Better WOMAC scores were seen if postoperative AI < 15° (7 versus 25, p = 0.005) and CEA between 20° and 40° (7 versus 23, p = 0.005) were achieved. The chances of obtaining acetabular correction within this range improved after the 20th procedure (30% versus 70%, p = 0.008).ConclusionsThis study reports excellent results after Bernese PAO in the hands of an experienced pediatric hip surgeon. We advocate cautious correction of the acetabular fragment. Future studies should concentrate on how to determine what the optimal target is and how to achieve it intraoperatively, minimizing the learning curve associated with it.Level of EvidenceLevel III, therapeutic study.

Health-related quality of life in children with flexible flatfeet: a cross-sectional study

PurposeThe effect of paediatric flexible flatfeet (PFF) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) has not been investigated. In this prospective cross-sectional study, the HRQOL of children with PFF was compared to those with typically developing feet (TDF) using two validated measures. We hypothesised that reduced HRQOL would be observed in children with PFF. The reliability of parents’ perceptions of their child’s symptoms was also investigated.Methods48 children with PFF and 47 with TDF between the ages of 8 and 15 completed The Oxford Ankle Foot Questionnaire for Children (OxAFQ-C) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™ 4.0). Proxy questionnaires were also completed. Reliability of parent and child questionnaire scores was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Student’s t test. Differences between HRQOL between PFF and TDF were assessed using the Student’s t test.ResultsICCs overall demonstrated good reliability between parent and child questionnaire domain scores. There was a tendency for parents to overestimate the impairment of the child in the PFF group. PFF children demonstrated clinically significant decreased HRQOL than TDF children. This was most marked in the physical domain scores.ConclusionAlthough parents may overestimate their child’s impairment, children with PFF still have significantly impaired HRQOL when compared to TDF children. The impairment can be as severe, or worse, than published HRQOL for acutely and chronically unwell children. As such, PFF cannot be regarded as just a benign normal variant. The management of PFF should involve consideration of the symptom profile and HRQOL.Level of evidence:II.

Motion analysis to track navicular displacements in the pediatric foot: relationship with foot posture, body mass index, and flexibility.

Background: Increased navicular drop (NDro) and navicular drift (NDri) are associated with musculoskeletal pathology in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate navicular motion in children, with respect to foot posture, and identify altered patterns of motion that demonstrate midfoot dysfunction. Navicular motion in different activities was evaluated as well as the role of flexibility and body mass index (BMI). Methods: Twenty-five children with flatfeet and 26 with neutral feet (age range, 8-15) underwent gait analysis using a 12-camera Vicon MX system (Vicon, UK). Navicular motion indices were calculated from marker coordinates. Student t tests and Pearson’s correlation coefficient (R) were used to investigate navicular motion differences between groups. The relationship between NDRo, NDRi, and their dynamic counterparts was also assessed. Results: Normalized NDri (NNDri) and normalized NDro (NNDro) correlated strongly in neutral feet (R = 0.56, P = .003) but not in flatfeet (R = 0.18, P > .05). Flatfeet demonstrated reduced NNDri compared to neutral footed children (0.7 vs 1.6, P = .007). No difference was observed in NNDro between groups. Standard and dynamic measures of NDri and NDRo were highly correlated. Navicular motion correlated poorly with BMI and flexibility. Conclusion: Motion of the navicular in the transverse and the sagittal plane is important when investigating foot function. Uncoupling of this motion in flatfeet may indicate impaired midfoot function. Reduced navicular medial translation in flatfeet may indicate altered alignment of the talonavicular joint. Clinical Relevance: The measurement of dynamic navicular motion indices did not add information about dynamic foot function compared to measurement of static indices.

Effect of marker placement on Oxford Foot Model hindfoot segment axes

Background Measurement accuracy of joint kinematics is influenced by how closely the trajectories of surface markers represent the motion of underlying bones [1]. For the Oxford Foot Model (OFM) hindfoot segment, the heel (HEE), lateral calcaneus (LCA) and sustentaculum tali (STL) markers are used to track the movement of the calcaneus [2]. This paper investigates the how changes in marker placement affect the orientation of the OFM hindfoot segment axes.

How Does Bony Surgery Affect Results of Anterior Open Reduction in Walking-age Children With Developmental Hip Dysplasia?

BackgroundAnterior open reduction is commonly used to treat hip subluxation or dislocation in developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in walking-age children. Pelvic and/or femoral osteotomy may be used in addition, but it is unclear how this affects avascular necrosis (AVN) risk and radiological and clinical results.Questions/purposesThe purpose of this study was to review studies of walking-age patients treated either with an open reduction alone or combined with pelvic and/or femoral osteotomies and determine whether there is a difference between groups in the proportion of patients: (1) developing clinically relevant femoral head AVN (Kalamchi & MacEwen Types II to IV or equivalent); (2) achieving a satisfactory radiological result (Severin Grade I/II or equivalent); (3) achieving a satisfactory clinical result (McKay excellent or good rating or equivalent); and (4) requiring further nonsalvage surgery.MethodsMEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Centre Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched for studies of anterior open reduction for DDH in children aged 12 months to 6 years old. We assessed AVN, clinical and radiological results, and requirement for further procedures. The effect of failed conservative management, traction, age at operation, and followup duration was also assessed. Eighteen studies met the review eligibility criteria.ResultsOpen reduction alone had a lower risk of AVN than open reduction combined with pelvic and femoral osteotomy (4% versus 24%), but there was no significant difference compared with open reduction with either pelvic (17%) or femoral osteotomy (18%). More hips treated with open reduction alone had satisfactory radiological results than open reduction combined with pelvic and femoral osteotomy (97% versus 83%) and satisfactory clinical results than all other interventions. More hips treated with open reduction alone required further surgical management (56%) compared with open reduction and pelvic osteotomy (11%) and combined pelvic and femoral osteotomies (8%).ConclusionsOpen reduction with concomitant pelvic osteotomy is the most appropriate option to provide durable results with the lowest risk of AVN and best radiological and clinical results. There is no evidence that addition of a femoral osteotomy provides any additional benefit to the patient, although it may be necessary to achieve reduction.Level of EvidenceLevel III, therapeutic study.

Centre of pressure progression and gait parameter deviations may be related to second rocker dysfunction in children with flat feet

Background The Centre of Pressure Progression (COPP) is thought to be a useful measure of dynamic function of the foot [1]. The COPP has been used as an outcome measure in flat foot surgery, with an improved COPP defining a successful surgical result [2]. It is, however, unclear how the COPP varies in children with flat feet (FF) compared to those with normal arches (NA) and how this relates to dynamic function of the foot. The aim of this study was to quantify the differences in COPP between flat and normal arched children and also assess how these related to temporal-spatial gait parameters.

How accurately can surface markers be placed on bony landmarks of the foot

Background The use of multi-segment foot models is becoming increasingly popular during clinical gait analysis. While numerous studies have established the repeatability of these models, the accuracy is more difficult to determine since measuring motion of the bones is a challenging task. One assumption influencing model accuracy is that surface markers can be placed precisely over palpated, bony landmarks. The aim of this study is to test this assumption by assessing marker placement using CT scans.