Relationship between x-ray findings of knee osteoarthritis and foot posture / Ahmed Ahmed Basheer ; Supervised Alaa Eldin Abdelhakim Balbaa , Maha Mostafa Mohammed , Suzan Mohammed Samy

Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Musculoskeletal Disorders

Background: Medial knee osteoarthritis (MKOA) is a highly prevalent knee disorder and has been attributed to the increased load transmitted across the medial compartment of the knee joint. Although, studies focused on the local mechanical malalignment of the knee, particularly, increased knee varus, there is a group of subjects with knee OA exhibit more foot pronation than normal ones. Consequently, the link between the radiographic findings of the knee and foot posture needs investigation. Purpose of the study: To investigate the relationship between foot posture measures and either the femur-tibia angle (FTA) and the Kellgren-Lawrence (K/L) grading system; and to compare foot posture measures between subjects with and without MKOA. Methodology: Thirty patients with MKOA underwent radiographic examination for their knees to measure FTA and to categorize the radiographic severity using (KL) grades then, they underwent foot examination using the foot posture index (FPI) and arch index (AI). Another 30 asymptomatic subjects matched in age and sex to MKOA group underwent FPI and AI examination to be compared with the MKOA group. Results: It was showed that FTA was significantly correlated with FPI, but not with AI. No correlation as well was reported for KL grades neither with FPI nor AI within the MKOA group. Subjects in the MKOA group demonstrated significant more foot pronation than asymptomatic subjects group. Conclusion: The radiographic knee varus angle was correlated with FPI but not with AI in subjects with MKOA who exhibited more pronated foot than asymptomatic ones. Consequently, quick examination of foot posture in patients with MKOA may be of for the clinicians

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