• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.208-212
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• 2004

There have been many reports about surgical treatments of flexible flatfoot in children and acquired adult flatfoot deformity due to posterior tibial tendon dysfunction common in the 5th and 6th decades. However there has been a controversy for surgical treatment guideline for painful idiopathic flexible flatfoot deformities in young adults. Therefore, we present a 27-year-old female with severe painful idiopathic flexible flatfoot who was treated with medial sliding calcaneal osteotomy and subtalar arthroereisis using $Kalix^{(R)}$ (Newdeal SA, Vienne, France) endoprosthesis and had good clinical outcome with high patient satisfaction at 10 months follow-up postoperatively.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.281-287
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• 2023

Background: The flexible flatfoot is characterized by a flattening of the foot arch due to excessive bodyweight. The use of shoe insoles or taping methods has been identified as effective in realigning the navicular or calcaneus bones and addressing supination in pronated feet. Objects: This study aimed to analyze the difference between the arch taping attachment method, introduced in a previous study, and a novel taping method designed to provide support to the inner aspect of the heel bone in cases of flexible flatfoot. Methods: A navicular drop test was performed to discriminate flexible flatfoot. To analyze the differences in pressure distribution during walking for each taping method, the subjects underwent testing in the barefoot state with no attachments. The procedure included a sequence of arch taping and heel taping. Subsequent analysis of pressure distribution during walking utilized the GaitRite^® system (GAITRite Gold, CIR Systems Inc.). Results: Arch taping and calcaneus taping significantly reduced the integrated pressure over time and peak pressure on the medial side of the midfoot for both feet compared to the barefoot state. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that supporting the inside of the heel through calcaneus taping, without direct stimulation to the longitudinal arch and navicular bone, is an effective intervention for flexible flatfoot.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.533-538
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• 2013

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the effect of Low-dye Taping on muscle activity during single-leg standing in subjects with flexible flatfoot. METHODS: Thirteen able-body volunteers who had flexible flatfoot were recruited for this study. Subjects were measured navicular drop test to evaluate pronation of foot and muscle activity during single-leg standing before and after taping. The muscle activity was recorded using surface EMG from the tibialis anterior and the peroneus longus during single-leg standing on stable and unstable surface. RESULTS: The results show that the navicular drop height and the tibialis anterior muscle activity were significantly decreased after Low-dye taping. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that Low-dye taping could be useful in managing overuse of the tibialis anterior by reducing their level of activation during single-leg standing.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.55-64
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• 2013

The first purpose was to identify the plantar pressure distributions (peak pressure, pressure integral time, and contact area) during level walking, and stair ascent and descent in asymptomatic flexible flatfoot (AFF). The second purpose was to investigate whether peak pressure data during level walking could be used to predict peak pressure during stair walking by identifying correlations between the peak pressures of level walking and stair walking. Twenty young adult subjects (8 males and 12 females, age $21.0{\pm}1.7$ years) with AFF were recruited. A distance greater than 10 mm in a navicular drop test was defined as flexible flatfoot. Each subject performed at least 10 steps during level walking, and stair ascent and descent. The plantar pressure distribution was measured in nine foot regions using a pressure measurement system. A two-way repeated analysis of variance was conducted to examine the differences in the three dependent variables with two within-subject factors (activity type and foot region). Linear regression analysis was conducted to predict peak pressure during stair walking using the peak pressure in the metatarsal regions during level walking. Significant interaction effects were observed between activity type and foot region for peak pressure (F=9.508, p<.001), pressure time integral (F=5.912, p=.003), and contact area (F=15.510, p<.001). The regression equations predicting peak pressure during stair walking accounted for variance in the range of 25.7% and 65.8%. The findings indicate that plantar pressures in AFF were influenced by both activity type and foot region. Furthermore the findings suggest that peak pressure data during level walking could be used to predict the peak pressure data during stair walking. These data collected for AFF can be useful for evaluating gait patterns and for predicting pressure data of flexible flatfoot subjects who have difficulty performing activities such as stair walking. Further studies should investigate plantar pressure distribution during various functional activities in symptomatic flexible flatfoot, and consider other predictors for regression analysis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.250-257
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• 2019

Objectives: Flatfoot, or low medial longitudinal arch, contributes to back and lower extremity injuries and is caused by weak abductor hallucis (AbdH) muscles. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of short foot exercise (SFE) alone or with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on navicular height, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the AbdH muscle, and AbdH muscle activity in flexible flatfoot. Methods: Thirty-six otherwise healthy people with flexible flatfoot were randomly assigned to a group that received SFE with placebo NMES treatment (the control group) or a group that received both SFE and NMES treatment (the experimental group). Each group received 4 weeks of treatment (SFE alone or SFE with NMES). Navicular height, the CSA of the AbdH muscle, and AbdH muscle activity were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: No significant differences were found in navicular height or the CSA of the AbdH muscle between the control and experimental groups, while AbdH muscle activity showed a statistically significant difference between the groups ($SFE=73.9{\pm}11.0%$ of maximal voluntary isometric contraction [MVIC]; SFE with $NMES=81.4{\pm}8.3%$ of MVIC; p<0.05). Moreover, the CSA of the AbdH muscle showed a statistically significant increase after treatment in the SFE with NMES group ($pre-treatment=218.6{\pm}53.2mm^2$ ; $post-treatment=256.9{\pm}70.5mm^2$ ; p<0.05). Conclusions: SFE with NMES was more effective than SFE alone in increasing AbdH muscle activity. Therefore, SFE with NMES should be recommended to correct or prevent abnormalities in people with flexible flatfoot by a physiotherapist or medical care team.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-5
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• 2016

Flatfoot is defined as loss of medial arch with hindfoot valgus, but normal condition is obscure due to wide individual variance. Loss or decreasing of medial longitudinal arch with radiographic image is clinically diagnosed as flatfoot. Flatfoot without symptoms is not an indication for treatment. The etiologies of flatfoot are congenital cause, hypermobility, tarsal coalition, neuromuscular disease, post-traumatic deformity, Charcot arthropathy, and posterior tibial tendon dysfuction. The flatfoot is classified as congenital and acquired, flexible, and rigid. The diagnosis is made by physical examination and radiographic findings. In particular, the posterior tibial tendon dysfunction is known as adult acquired flatfoot.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.110-112
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• 2005

We present the case of an adult flexible flatfoot that was managed with dynamic and multiplarnar approaches which consist of Young's tenosuspension, Evans osteotomy, posterior tibialis tendon advancement with flexor digitorum longus tendon transfer and Lapidus procedure.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.176-180
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of the current study is to report on the clinical and radiographic results after calcaneo-stop procedure in Korean children with symptomatic flexible flatfoot. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two children suffering pain along the medial aspect of midfoot with flexible flatfoot whose symptoms did not improve with conservative measures and therefore underwent calcaneo-stop procedure were identified retrospectively. Clinically, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot scale and visual analogue scale (VAS) were evaluated. Radiographically, standing anteroposterior and lateral radiographs of the foot and Saltzman's alignment views were taken and talonavicular coverage angle, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle, and hindfoot alignment angles were measured and analyzed. Results: Clinically, AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scale improved from $70.3{\pm}5.6$ to $97.3{\pm}2.5$ and VAS improved from $6.4{\pm}1.6$ to $0.2{\pm}0.4$. Radiographically, talonavicular coverage angle improved from $28.3^{\circ}{\pm}12.3^{\circ}$ to $10.9^{\circ}{\pm}8.1^{\circ}$, lateral talo-first metatarsal angle improved from $-19.3^{\circ}{\pm}9.0^{\circ}$ to $-2.4^{\circ}{\pm}8.1^{\circ}$, and hindfoot alignment angle improved from valgus $11.9^{\circ}{\pm}10.0^{\circ}$ to $3.5^{\circ}{\pm}4.3^{\circ}$ at minimum 2-year follow-up. No complications occurred postoperatively. Conclusion: Calcaneo-stop procedure is a simple and very effective procedure for management of pediatric symptomatic flexible flatfoot that does not respond to conservative treatment.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.78-86
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• 2020

Background: Flat-footed persons with collapsed medial longitudinal arch lose flexibility after skeletal maturity, resulting in several deformities and soft tissue injuries. Although arch support taping is usually applied in the clinic to support the collapsed arch, research on the use of different types of tape for more efficient arch support in flat-footed persons is lacking. Objects: The purpose of this study was to examine three conditions (barefoot, kinesio tape, and dynamic tape) and compare their effects on static and dynamic balance in persons with asymptomatic flexible flatfoot. Methods: Twenty-two subjects (9 females and 13 males) with asymptomatic flexible flatfoot participated in this study. The subjects performed the Y-balance test to measure the composite reach score. The subjects also performed a 30-second standing test to measure the center of pressure (COP) path length and a walking test to measure anteroposterior and lateral variability using the Zebris FDM system. One-way repeated-measures analysis of variance compared the three conditions applied to the subjects' feet for each balance variable. Results: The composite reach score significantly increased following the application of dynamic tape compared with barefoot and that of kinesio tape compared with barefoot. There was no significant difference in the COP path length during standing among the three conditions. Anteroposterior and lateral variability during walking significantly with dynamic tape application compared with barefoot. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that, in persons with asymptomatic flexible flatfoot, application of kinesio tape and dynamic tape may be effective in increasing the composite reach score in Y-balance test, whereas application of dynamic tape may be effective in reducing anteroposterior and lateral variability during walking.

• Journal of Korean Foot and Ankle Society
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.115-120
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• 2013

Purpose: Calcaneal lengthening osteotomy is one option for the treatment of symptomatic flexible flatfoot in adults. The aim of the study was to evaluate the short term clinical and radiologic results and analyze its complications. Materials and Methods: Twelve feet who had undergone calcaneal lengthening osteotomy without flexor digitorum longus transfer between December 2009 and July 2011 were included. The mean age was 40.6 years (23~75 years). The mean followup was 17.3 months (13~25 months). Clinical outcome were assessed using American Orthopadics Foot ans Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain. Four radiologic parameters were measured from weightbearing radiographs to evaluate the difference between preoperatively and postoperatively measures. To analyze the complications, calcaneocuboid joint subluxation and degenerative change were measured postoperatively. Results: The mean AOFAS score improved from 55.3 points preoperatively to 82.2 points at lastest follow-up (p=0.000). The mean VAS improved from 6.3 points preoperatively to 3.2 points postoperatively (p=0.002).All radiologic parameters, the mean talonavicular coverage angle on AP view, the mean talo-1st metatarsal angle on AP and lateral view and the mean calcaneal pitch angle, significantly improved after calcaneal lengthening osteotomy. Nine feets (75%) were shown the degenerative change in the calcaneocuboid joint at latest follow-up radiographs. Conclusion: Calcaneal lengthening osteotomy for the symptomatic flexible flatfoot in adults produced significant improvement in clinical and radiologic parameters, but calcaneocuboid joint osteoarthritis occurred postoperatively remained a major problem.