Comparison of Arch Index of Flat Foot and Healthy Foot in Pre-school Children

Background: The validity of clinical measurements such as Arch Index for the evaluation of flat foot has not been fully established for the physicians. Objectives: We conducted this study to compare the Arch Index (AI) and Foot Posture Index (FPI) between normal and flat foot children and to assess the differences between the pattern of arch and score of FPI. Patients & Methods: Clinical measurements of AI and FPI were performed on 40 subjects (18 boys and 22 girls), aged from 5 to 7 years referred to Adabian Rehabilitation Center, Kermanshah, Iran. The study was carried out from May to September, 2012. These clinical measurements were then compared according to AI and FPI in right and left foot between healthy and flat foot children. Results: All two clinical measures demonstrated significant associations for left and right foot between healthy and flexible flatfoot of children (P < 0.05). Mann-Whitney test showed that the mean of AI for the left and right foot in healthy children was significantly lower than flatfoot children (P < 0.001). Also, the mean of FPI for the left and right foot in healthy children was significantly lower compared to the corresponding foot in flatfoot children (P < 0.001). Conclusions: According to our results, these clinical measurements would provide valid information regarding the structure of the medial longitudinal arch.