71 - Pediatric Flatfoot Flashcards
Etiologies of pediatric flatfoot
- Isolated pathology (we all start with a flatfoot – it just stays in some)
- Ligamentous laxity (kids are a little more flexible)
- Neurologic and muscular abnormality
- Genetic conditions and syndromes (if parents had flatfoot, it is more likely)
- Collagen disorders
- Obesity (200-300 pounds at 9-10 years old is a concern – too much weight on a child’s foot)
Clinical history of pediatric flatfoot
- Age of onset
- Pain +/- (Pain in foot, knee, and/or leg)
- Activity level - Generalized foot/leg fatigue – Can’t keep up with friends, might not necessarily be localized pain, but just general fatigue
- Trauma
- Previous treatment
- Family history
- Pain usually is worse with weightbearing - If it is not worse with weightbearing, thing of other differentials
- Pain nonweightbearing think other causes
o Infection (A common differential is hematogenous osteomyelitis)
o Arthridity
o Tumor
Exam findings in pediatric flatfoot - Appearance
o WB vs NWB (BIGGEST thing to look at to determine flexible vs rigid)
o Medial talar head prominence (if the foot is really collapsing, the talar gets pushed off to the side)
Exam findings in pediatric flatfoot - Range of motion
o STJ, ankle, knee, hip – FULL biomechanical exam
o NOTE: usually I don’t get into the knee and hip with my biomechanical exam except for in kids, since it is more common for knee/hip issues to be causing foot pathology
o In kids, you will see tibial torsion, femoral torsion, and different developmental problems that could be causing pathology
Areas of tenderness
- Navicular tuerosity
- Metatarsals
- Ankle
- Sinus tarsi (excessive pronation can make this area tender)
- Plantar fascia (not so much plantar fasciitis, but growth issues/spurts can cause pain)
Describe navicular tuberosity pain
o Navicular tuberosity **NUMBER 1 PLACE FOR TENDERNESS **
- This is where posterior tibial tendon inserts
- Recall that the PTT is the main tendon for arch support, and if the arch is collapsed, it is getting overworked
- Accessory navicular can be present which can also be problematic
Describe metatarsal pain
More common in equinus because the midfoot will compensate and there will be more pressure on metatarsals
Types of pediatric flatfoot
- Rigid
- Flexible
- Skewfoot
Rigid flatfoot
o Arch flat with WB and NWB
o Arch not re-creatable with Hubscher maneuver (test for rigid vs flexible deformity)
o Hubscher maneuver: in WB, dorsiflex 1st metatarsal, look for arch to re-create itself
Flexible flatfoot
o Arch will be higher NWB than WB
o Arch is re-creatable with Hubscher maneuver
Skewfoot
o Pronated rearfoot with adductovarus forefoot
Gait exam
- Hip and knee position
- Angle and base (in toed or out toed)
- Toe walking (may or may not be pathologic)
- Early heel off
- Valgus heel (does it stay pronated or supinate late?)
- Poor propulsion (due to either muscle weakness or excessive pronation w/o locking)
- NOTE: focus on the hip and knee position (torsional deformities) and all other deformities listed
Flexible flatfoot overview
- Normal arch during non-WB
- Flattening of arch during stance
- May be symptomatic or asymptomatic
Heel rise test
- Valgus while standing
- Inverted on heel rise in a flexible deformity
Asymptomatic flexible pediatric flatfoot
Can be Physiologic or Nonphysiologic
- Counseling will come into play here – we may just leave it alone, especially if the parents had a flatfoot as well that hasn’t bothered them
Physiologic asymptomatic flexible pediatric flatfoot
o Non progressive
o Will likely get better with time
o No treatment needed
Non-physiologic asymptomatic flexible pediatric flatfoot
o Progressive (they’ve always had flat feet and it is continuing to get worse)
o More severe
o May need stretching program for equinus to prevent or slow progression
Flexible flatfoot
Average Values for ROM of STJ
- Children have a pronated attitude of their foot during development. This is normal until 7-8 yrs of age
- A young child with a cavus foot is MORE alarming Indicates a neuromuscular abnormality which needs further investigation
Average values for ROM of STJ in flexible flatfoot - CHILD
MORE FLEXIBLE
o Total STJ ROM 50-60 degrees
o 15-20 degrees of eversion
o 35-40 degrees of inversion
Average values for ROM of STJ in flexible flatfoot - ADULT
LESS FLEXIBLE
o Total STJ ROM 25-35 degrees
o 10 degrees of eversion,
o 20 degrees of inversion