The basic premise central to the diagnosis and treatment of most mechanogenic foot and ankle pathologies is that a given foot will display a characteristic function depending on the biomechanical alignment of the hindfoot and forefoot. However, the effects of foot type on an individual's ability to perform comfortable cadence locomotion have not been scientifically proven. Therefore, this study was conducted on 21 healthy, young subjects (10 subjects with planus foot type and 11 subjects with rectus foot type) to test whether different foot types yield distinguishable foot functions. New methods were developed to quantify biomechanical foot function during posture and comfortable cadence locomotion. The results of the study indicate that individuals with planus and rectus foot types show statistically significant differences in the biomechanical function of the foot.

Gross discrepancy and error regarding the identification and location of the peroneal tubercle have been found in the literature. Furthermore, the authors found no evidence of a repeatable measurement technique in applicable descriptions of this osteologic landmark. In accordance with interrater reliability procedures, the authors established repeatability of peroneal tubercle measurements. In conjunction with the instrumentation's accuracy and resolution, the investigators infer reliability for these measurements. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this study is the only one in which interrater reliability was established for the morphometric assessment of the peroneal tubercle and the retrotrochlear eminence. The results also reestablish the correct anatomical presentation of the retrotrochlear eminence and the peroneal tubercle along the lateral surface of the calcaneus.

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Talonavicular coalitions, a rarely reported fusion between the talus and navicular, are often an incidental radiographic finding that may be asymptomatic or associated with peroneal spasm. The authors present a review of literature and case report based on clinical evaluation and instrumented gait analysis. Specifically, a patient presenting with a bilateral talonavicular coalition was objectively evaluated with kinetic, kinematic, muscle dynamometry, and pedobarographic testing to understand the biomechanical limitations related to this pathology. An excessive passive component of ankle torque, a high first metatarsophangeal joint plantar pressure, and a diminished time in the midstance portion of stance phase were measured and compared to those of healthy individuals.