title: Investigation of the Relationship Between Flatfoot and Patellar Subluxation in Adolescents.
abstract: Patellar subluxation is common in adolescents, and a variety of factors are related to this condition, with valgus of the knee joint an important factor. The results of many studies suggest that flatfoot can cause an abnormality of the lower limb power line. Structural abnormalities of the foot caused by the high stresses exerted by body weight can lead to structural deformity of the knee and can also cause knee valgus. Screening for foot problems can help determine the risk of patellar subluxation, and early intervention can lessen the incidence of this condition. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of flatfoot on the structure and function of the knees and, especially, the risk of patellar subluxation. A total of 72 participants were recruited for this cross-sectional study. The mean age at examination was 15.4 ± 4.0 (range 9 to 22) years. The measured parameters were heel valgus angle, arch index, and quadriceps angle (Q-angle). Overall, the mean values of the heel valgus angle, arch index, and Q-angle were 5.9° ± 2.4° (range 1° to 11°), 0.33 ± 0.07 (range 0.23 to 0.46), and 19.1° ± 3.5° (range 9° to 26°), respectively. The Q-angle was directly associated with the heel valgus angle (r = 0.818, p < .001) and arch index (r = 0.655, p < .001). We found that flatfoot can affect the morphology of the knee joint and increase the risk of patellar subluxation.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China. Electronic address: 437784647@qq.com.
authors.forename: Deyu
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Duan
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist, Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Kangcheng
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist, Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Xiaohong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Orthopedist, Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Liu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ouyang
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic Resident, Department of Orthopaedics, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Guanjie
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D017760:Bone Malalignment / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005413:Flatfoot / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D031222:Patellar Dislocation / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Q-angle; arch index; flatfoot; heel valgus; patellar subluxation