Prevalence study of flat feet in individuals of different age groups in the city of Maringá-PR

Abstract

The feet´s architecture is based on the disposition of three imaginary arcs located on its bone structures: the anterior arc; the external or lateral arc: and the internal or mesial arc (the plant´s longitudinal). The plant´s longitudinal arc is of fundamental importance for the static and dynamic orthostastism. As to main84tain its convex characteristic it is necessary the osteomyeligmentar participation both full and associated among themselves, otherwise it becomes responsible for the flat foot, This work has aimed at verify the prevalence of flat feet in individuals of different age groups in the city of Maringá-PR, as well as to alert to its prevention. It was, therefore, carried out the following: a structured questiuonnaire both open and closed and the analysis of the plant´s prints by a tatic pedogram. Individuals of both sexes and different age groups were selected rendomly (from 5 to 91 years of age). With this methodology it was verified the presence of flat feet in 59 indivíduals (14,75%) of different age groups, with greater prevalence among the children (22%). In relation to sexo and race, there were no significant statistical differences.