Flat Foot Knock Knees and Bow Legs Among School Children Ramananda Ningthoujam

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To find out the number of students suffering from Pes Planus or Flat Foot Deformities (FFD), Genu Valgum or Knock Knees Deformities (KKD) and Genu Varum or Bow Legs Deformities (BLD).

RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT Seven hundred and forty nine (N = 749) school children of 5th grade from Marathi medium and English medium schools were assessed for the following deformities: Flat Foot (FF) Bow Legs (BW) Knock Knees (KK)

POSTURE DEFORMITIES Postural Deformity is the malformation of any component of the body. The malformation may be the result of bony distortion or alteration in the topography of soft tissues.

METHODS Plumb Line Test (PLT) is used as a reference of alignment for the body when examining BLD and KKD. Wet Foot Print test (WFPT) is used for the diagnosis of flat foot (FF). It is performed by wetting the feet in colour water and then standing on a smooth, level surface.

METHOD FOR GRADING FLAT FOOT Harris and Beath (1947) as describe by Rose,Welton and Marshall (1985) method of grading foot print was used. The footprints were classified as normal, high arched or normal (Fig. 1 Above)

TOOLS Tools used: Plumb : A plumb line is a string suspended overhead with a small weight, or plumb bob, attached at the end near the floor. Retractable Measuring Tape Ruler Scale

KNOCK KNEES If there is knocking knees, the knees should rotate slightly inwards until they touch, with the ankles separated

BOW LEGS If there are bow leg, the knees may rotate slightly outwards while the ankles will be close together

STRAIGHT LEGS If there are straight legs the knees will not rotate either way, the ankles and knees will be equal distance apart

DEVIATION OF LEGS Severity of legs The severity of deviation for bow legs and knock knees was classified as slight, mild and severe

STATISTICAL METHOD USED Descriptive statistic was used for the survey research and the method used for statistical analysis is percentage method. It is as given below. P ═ n × 100 ⁄ N P= Percentage n= Number of Deformities Student N = Total Student

RESULT

Postural Deformities Students

% for Boys with Deformities BOYS DEFORMITIES % for Boys with Deformities

% for Girls with Deformities GIRLS DEFORMITIES % for Girls with Deformities

STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT SHOES

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY Proper arched shoes should be used to reduce flat foot deformities up to some extent. Mass awareness programs regarding posture were organized in the schools.

Prevention: Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent serious problem resulting in less invasive treatment and more rapid recovery. Proper information on the importance of correct gait and posture is essential to prevent the deformities in Children

Annual medical check up should cover the postural deformities of the students. Health Report: Parents were informed about the condition of their child.

CONCLUSION As per the study, majority of students wearing flat foot soles were found to be suffering from flat foot deformity. Thus, it may be concluded that the chances of suffering from this deformity is higher among those students who wears flat sole shoes.