Foot Deformity

Reports from Chulalongkorn University, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine add new data to research in life sciences

"To study foot musculoskeletal disorders, falls and associated factors in healthy elderly subjects. Healthy volunteers aged 60-80 years who were independent in self-care and walking were recruited from urban Bangkok. Trained physicians evaluated health status, foot problems, and fall(s) history of all subjects. Walking performance was assessed using the 'Timed Get Up & Go' test and 6-m walking speed. Footprints were taken from the standing position. Foot dimensions and footwear were also measured by certified orthotists. Associated factors of foot disorders and falls were analyzed. There were 213 subjects: 108 men, 105 women with a mean age of 68.6 ±5.4 years. Foot deformities presented in 87% and were not significantly associated with walking performance or falls. Foot pain was found in 14% with a male:female sex ratio of 1:4. The causes of pain were plantar fasciitis, hallux valgus, callus, metatarsalgia, and inappropriate footwear. Subjects with foot pain had slower walking speed (1.14 ±0.12 vs. 1.19 ±0.12 m/s, p=0.056). Falls were reported in 29.5% of women and 12.9% of men (p=0.004). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that fall risk factors were female gender (OR=2.4, 95% CI=1.13-5.12), plantar fasciitis (OR=6.8, 95% CI=1.52-31.02), and knee osteoarthritis (OR=3.6, 95% CI=1.71-7.59). Subgroup analyses revealed that visual deficit was associated with falls in women (OR=4.7, 95% CI=1.75-12.73), and impaired foot protective sensation was associated with falls in men (OR=5.1, 95% CI=1.46-18.38). Aging foot deformities presented different characteristics among genders and were mostly asymptomatic. Foot pain, especially from plantar fasciitis, increased risk of falls in healthy older persons," wrote D. Chaiwanichsiri and colleagues, Chulalongkorn University, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine.

The researchers concluded: "Foot assessment, foot pain management, and proper footwear play important roles in fall prevention."

Chaiwanichsiri and colleagues published their study in Gerontology (Foot disorders and falls in older persons. Gerontology, 2009;55(3):296-302).

For additional information, contact D. Chaiwanichsiri, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Dept. of Rehabilitation Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

The publisher's contact information for the journal Gerontology is: S. Karger AG, Allschwilerstrasse 10, CH-4009 Basel, Switzerland.

Keywords: Thailand, Bangkok, Life Sciences, Foot Deformity, Foot Pain, Rehabilitation Research, Gerontology, Aging.

This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.