Prevalence of podiatric conditions seen in Special Olympics athletes: Structural, biomechanical and dermatological findings.
BACKGROUND
Podiatric conditions are frequently seen in persons with intellectual disabilities. Unfortunately, many are not detected or addressed. This study attempts to determine the prevalence of a variety of selected podiatric conditions in Special Olympics athletes and compare the findings to studies of a similarly matched general population.


METHODS
Screenings from 1580 Special Olympics athletes participating in a sampling of United States competitions in 2004-2006 were used for the analysis. The athletes voluntarily underwent a foot screening which followed the standardized Special Olympics Fit Feet protocol.


RESULTS
The most commonly identified conditions included overpronated gait, abducted gait, restriction in both the ankle and the first metatarsal phalangeal joint, pes planus, metatarsus adductus, brachymetatarsia, hallux abducto valgus, onychomycosis, onychocryptosis and tinea pedis.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of all the structural conditions was notably higher than a similarly matched general population and both conditions and biomechanical/gait findings associated with ligamentous laxity like pes planus and hallux abducto valgus had especially high prevalence rates. Restricted motion in the ankle and first metatarsal phalangeal joint was surprising and may indicate some athletes have intellectual disabilities with contractures. The higher rates of dermatophyte related conditions may reflect increased exposure from the athletic competition environment, immunocompromise, issues with hygiene or both. Higher rates of onychocryptosis in the athletes may be due to ill fitting shoes and/or hygiene issues.
Arizona School of Podiatric Medicine, College of Health Sciences - Midwestern University Glendale, USA. djenki@midwestern.edu
David W
DW
Jenkins
Kimbal
K
Cooper
Rachel
R
O'Connor
Liane
L
Watanabe
Christine
C
Wills
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000846:Anniversaries and Special Events; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005530:Foot Deformities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005533:Foot Dermatoses / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014009:Onychomycosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D013177:Sports; D055815:Young Adult