title: Effect of coexisting foot deformity on disability in women with knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Knee osteoarthritis, a common musculoskeletal disorder, can cause considerable pain and disability. This study investigates the effect of certain foot deformities on the functional status of women with knee osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The common foot deformities pes planus and hallux valgus were evaluated in 115 women with knee osteoarthritis and Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 and 3 osteoarthritis. Anteroposterior and lateral foot-ankle standard radiographs were obtained bilaterally. A lateral talometatarsal angle greater than 4 degrees was defined as pes planus. A hallux valgus angle greater than 21 degrees was defined as hallux valgus. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) was used to objectively assess functional impairment. Knee pain intensity was measured with a visual analog scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-nine patients had bilateral pes planus, hallux valgus, or both. The mean visual analog scale value was higher for the deformity group, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was a significant difference in WOMAC scores between the group with foot deformities versus the group without (P = .000). Visual analog scale scores were positively correlated with WOMAC scores (r = 0.499, P = .000). Also, there was a significant correlation between WOMAC scores and lateral talometatarsal angle (r = 0.266, P = .004) and hallux valgus angle (r = 0.362, P = .000) values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a significant correlation between indicators of pain and disability (visual analog scale and WOMAC scores). Also, the presence of foot deformities increased disability levels in women with knee osteoarthritis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey. hayalguler@superonline.com
authors.forename: Hayal
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guler
authors.forename: Sinem
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karazincir
authors.forename: Ayse Dicle
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Turhanoglu
authors.forename: Gunsah
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sahin
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Balci
authors.forename: Cahit
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ozer
mesh_terms: D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D005413:Flatfoot / Q000150:complications*; D006215:Hallux Valgus / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000150:complications*