X-ray of flat feet

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Author: Mikael Häggström [notes 1]
Flat feet is a postural deformity in which the arches of the foot collapse, with the entire sole of the foot coming into complete or near-complete contact with the ground.

Planning

Flat feet can be diagnosed clinically, but projectional radiography ("X-ray") is helpful in uncertain cases. It can be used for severity grading, although this has little implication for treatment options.[notes 2] In children, X-ray may be taken in more severe cases of flat feet in order to determine the extent of the deformity.[1]

Diagnosis

On X-ray, flat feet can be diagnosed and graded by several measures, the most important in adults being the talonavicular coverage angle, the calcaneal pitch, and the talar-1st metatarsal angle (Meary's angle).[2] The talonavicular coverage angle is abnormally laterally rotated in flat feet.[2] It is normally up to 7 degrees laterally rotated, so a greater rotation indicates flat feet.[2] Radiographies generally need to be taken on weightbearing feet in order to detect misalignment.[3]

Severity

Meary's angle angle 15° - 30° is considered "moderate" flat foot, and greater than 30° is considered "severe" flat foot.[2]

Associated findings

Report

See also: General notes on reporting

Report presence or absence of flat feet. To put in simpler words, an abnormally laterally rotated talonavicular coverage angle can be described as "laterally pointed navicular bone", and an abnormally decreased calcaneal pitch and abnormally downward-convex Meary's angle can be described as "fallen arch".

Upon request, severity can be given, as the value of Meary's angle or simply as "mild", "moderate" or "severe", otherwise it is not necessary to report.[notes 2]

Notes

  1. For a full list of contributors, see article history. Creators of images are attributed at the image description pages, seen by clicking on the images. See Radlines:Authorship for details.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Indications for non-surgical treatment is based on pain:
    • . Flatfeet. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved on 2018-07-04.
    Indications for surgery are failure of non-surgical treatment as well as a flexible rather than stiff arch:
    • Vulcano, Ettore; Deland, Jonathan T.; Ellis, Scott J. (2013). "Approach and treatment of the adult acquired flatfoot deformity
    ". Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine 6 (4): 294–303. doi:10.1007/s12178-013-9173-z. ISSN 1935-973X. 
  3. Detailed explanations and references are located in the Calcaneal pitch article.

References

  1. . Flatfoot in Children: Diagnosis and Tests - How is pediatric flatfoot diagnosed?. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved on 2018-07-09.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 . Pes Planus. University of Washington, Department of Radiology. Last modified: 2016/08/14
  3. Dan J Bell and Yuranga Weerakkody. Pes planus. Radiopaedia. Retrieved on 2018-03-01.
  4. Zhou, Binghua; Tang, Kanglai; Hardy, Mark (2014). "Talocalcaneal coalition combined with flatfoot in children: diagnosis and treatment: a review ". Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research 9 (1). doi:10.1186/s13018-014-0129-9. ISSN 1749-799X.  (CC BY 4.0)