Pes planus and paediatric obesity: a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

Children with obesity report musculoskeletal pain more than normal weight children; this may be linked with literature suggesting children with obesity have higher prevalence of pes planus (flatfoot). To further elucidate whether this relation occurs, we conducted a systematic literature review on the co-occurrence of pes planus and pediatric obesity. Empirical articles published through September 2013 were obtained through an electronic search of MEDLINE and SportDiscus; included articles examined the association between bodyweight and pes planus in children. Thirteen cross-sectional studies of varied designs were identified. Methods used to diagnose pes planus varied between studies: imaging modalities, anthropometric measurements, and clinical examination. Across all studies, pes planus prevalence among children with obesity ranged widely from 14 to 67%. Nearly all studies indicated increasing pes planus in children with increasing weight. No studies evaluated pain/complications related to pes planus. Our review suggests increased prevalence of pes planus among children with obesity or increasing weight status. Due to differing methodologies, lack of consensus regarding the pes planus definition, the dearth of investigation into pain/complications, and the few existing studies, more research is needed to determine a relation between children’s body weight, pes planus, and associated effects on pain and function.

Flatfoot and obesity in school‐age children: a cross‐sectional study

“…Studies suggest a vicious circle in which the excess weight, musculoskeletal pain and low fitness status reinforce each other . Pain experienced in the foot of children with overweight can be an important issue which has not received adequate attention in literature . Experiencing pain during an activity is likely to discourage a child from taking part in the physical activity.…”

“…The factors affecting the normal development of the foot in children can induce persistent problems in both childhood and adulthood . There are two common methods to assess the foot structure; using (i) imaging techniques and (ii) measurement modalities . Imaging techniques used in the literature included radiography , footprint , ultrasound and scanner systems while the measurement modalities included the clinical measurement of distance or angle between the specified anatomical landmarks .…”

“…The absence of MLA is known as ‘flatfoot’ or ‘pes planus’ . Previous studies have indicated that increased weight has a positive association with the higher prevalence of flatfoot . Despite the known effects of excess weight on the MLA, flatfoot is still not monitored or treated when children are diagnosed as overweight people .…”

“…None of the previous studies, which investigated the association between children's weight and flatfoot, identified the prevalence of excess weight in conjunction with foot complaints (e.g. pain and discomfort) . Previous studies mainly recorded the MLA height regardless of other symptoms of excess weight.…”

Echographic analysis of the alterations musculoskeletal associated with endothelial dysfunction and obesity

“…In this work was found the presence of Baker's cyst (QB), or popliteal cyst, which was first described in 1840 by Adams [23,24] and later by Baker [25]. In 1877, Baker published his experience on this entity, which gave rise to his name going to designate this type of cyst.…”