Effects of pes planus on the lower extremity biomechanics in children

Aim: This study was planned to investigate the lower extremity biomechanical changes in children with pes planus between the ages of 6 and 10 and in children in the same age group with normal foot structure. Material and method: The universe of this randomized study consisted of 23 children diagnosed with pes planus and 20 healthy children who applied to the Physical Therapy outpatient clinic. Footprints were examined with Harris mat. CSI, muscle strength, muscle shortness, pelvic inclination angle, hip internal rotation angle and Q angle for femoral anteversion, thigh-foot angle, API-6, Beighton score and PTTD were evaluated. Results: A strong correlation was found between CSI and API-6 in children with pes planus (p<000.1). It was found that Q angle and m. hamstring muscle strength in dominant extremity increased significantly in children with pes planus (p<0.05). CSI value showed a weak positive correlation with quadriceps femoris muscle strength and a weak negative correlation with m. tibialis anterior in dominant extremities of children with pes planus. The difference between API-6 and CSI values according to pes planus degrees was found to be significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our study found that pes planus affected femoral anteversion through Q angle values. As the degree of pes planus progressed, Q angle and CSI values increased. Muscle strength decreased in the tibialis anterior and plantar flexor muscles of children with pes planus. However, strength increased in the quadriceps femoris and hamstring muscles. Keywords: Biomechanics, pes planus, pelvic inclination, thigh-foot angle, harris mat, femoral anteversion