The evaluation of feet forms (shapes) in primary school children at 7–12 age

Author(s): Renata Woźniacka, Aneta Bac, Katarzyna Kasprzykowska, Dorota Czechowska, Joanna Golec, Elżbieta Szczygieł, Edward Golec, Paweł Sosin

Background. The very important condition of the normal (good) posture are correctly shaped feet. We can observe the most dynamic evolution of the feet in kindergarten and primary school children. Material and methods. In 2008 and 2009 podoscopic research was carried out among schoolchildren at age 7 – 12 from Cracow and villages near Cracow. The aim of the research was the evaluation of feet shapes. Podoscopic method was used for the research and Sztriter - Godunow index (Ky) was evaluated. Results. The right values of Ky index was observed in less than 30% of examined children, both city and rural areas habitants. The most common pathology of feet profile among the children was flat foot. Flat foot was observed in 10% of children from Cracow and 12,5% of children from villages near Cracow. Conclusions. There was no statistical important differences between a number of feet defects in children from Cracow and children from villages near Cracow. Hollow foot is the most common pathology among the children from research group. The least common pathology of feet profile among the children was flat foot.