Ann Rehabil Med.  2017 Dec;41(6):1013-1018. 10.5535/arm.2017.41.6.1013.

Relationships Between Self-awareness and Clinical Diagnostic Findings of Abnormal Foot Arch Height in Koreans

• Son Y
• Kang HJ
• Song YM
• Hwang JH

• KMID: 2400286
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2017.41.6.1013

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To see how people think about their own feet, and evaluate whether there are correlations among self-awareness of the participants and clinical examination findings.
METHODS
Adult twins and their families who participated in the Healthy Twin study from May 2008 to April 2010 were recruited. Participants were asked whether they thought their feet were normal, flat, or cavus. The lateral talometatarsal angles were measured on foot X-rays to determine the foot arch height. Using the podoscopic footprints taken with the podobaroscope, the Staheli arch index was also measured. Kappa statistics were used to calculate degree of agreement among the three measurement methods.
RESULTS
Self-awareness and radiographic findings were significantly different (Pearson chi-square test, p=0.000) and only slightly agreed (kappa measure of agreement=0.136, p=0.000). Self-awareness and podoscopy results revealed a significant difference (Pearson chi-square test, p=0.000), with only slight agreement (kappa measure of agreement=0.072, p=0.000).
CONCLUSION
There is significant disagreement between patients' perception of their feet and actual test results. Many people may have an incorrect assumption about their own foot conditions that may be reflected in improper management. Dissemination of accurate information about foot disorders by foot clinicians would be helpful.

Keyword

Flatfoot; Talipes cavus

MeSH Terms

Adult
Flatfoot
Foot Deformities
Foot*
Humans
Twins

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Measurement of the talometatarsal angle.

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  Fig. 2 Measurement of the Staheli arch index.

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  Fig. 3 Distribution of flatfoot according to self-awareness, radiographic findings, and podoscopic findings.

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