Background: A number of multi-segment foot protocols have been proposed to obtain measurements of clinical value. In the clinical assessment of foot pathologies and deformities, such as in the pes-planus, the frontal-plane alignment of the calcaneus and the dynamic properties of the medial longitudinal arch are critical parameters though often neglected by the majority of foot protocols. The aim of the present work is to modify an established foot protocol to obtain static and kinematic measures more consistent with corresponding clinical observations. Moreover, while many papers have reported kinematic data from varying populations, few investigations have focussed on young participants from same-age cohorts.

Level IV.

BackgroundPlano-valgus is a common alteration of the paediatric foot, characterized by valgus hindfoot, foot pronation and drop of the medial longitudinal arch. Despite their importance in the diagnosis and classification of plano-valgus foot condition, little information is available on functional alterations of the major joints spanning the medial longitudinal arch – i.e. midtarsal and tarso-metatarsal. Aim of the study was to provide objective description of the alterations in plano-valgus midfoot joints with respect to those in an age-matched normally-developed feet population.MethodsTwenty adolescents (13.3 ± 0.8 years) with bilateral plano-valgus feet underwent clinical examination and were gait-analysed via a validated 4-segment foot model. This allowed to measure static foot posture, kinematics of the main foot joints, and medial longitudinal arch deformation during walking at comfortable speed. Range of motion and temporal profiles of joint rotations were compared to those from a control population of age-matched adolescents with normally-developed feet.ResultsThe plano-valgus midtarsal joint was more dorsiflexed, everted and abducted than that in the control group, and showed reduced sagittal-plane RoM (plano-valgus = 15.9 degrees; control = 22.2 degrees; P <  0.01). The tarso-metarsal joint was more plantarflexed and adducted, and showed larger frontal-plane RoM. The MLA showed larger RoM and was lower throughout the stance phase of the gait cycle.ConclusionSignificant postural and kinematic alterations are present at the midtarsal and tarso-metarsal joints of adolescents with plano-valgus feet. Objective identification and quantification of plano-valgus foot alterations, via non-invasive gait-analysis, is relevant to improving the diagnosis of this condition and to evaluating the effect of conservative treatments and of surgical corrections by different techniques.

Hip problems in cerebral palsy are relatively frequent (25–75%). Subluxation and dislocation of the hip is proportional to the neuromuscular involvement and is often due to alteration caused by spastic muscle forces acting on the femoral head in the acetabular cavity. The EMMA approach (Early Multilevel Minimally-invasive Approach) has been designed to restore muscle balance, decrease hip migration and prevent bone deformities thereby avoiding future pain with minimal biological cost to the patient. EMMA is suitable for most patients, especially those with increased tone, poor muscle control and selectivity, Reimer Index (R.I.) 20%. We consider age and R.I crucial prerequisites for treatment steps. EMMA 1) age 2–4 years, RI 20%: multilevel injection of botulinum toxin in case of muscular hyperactivity without morphological alterations of the couple muscle-tendon (contractures). EMMA 2) age 4–6, RI 20%: multilevel aponeurectomies in case of muscular hyperactivity with morphological alterations of the couple muscle-tendon (retraction). EMMA 3) early bone surgery (growth plates). This approach has been adopted in the last 4 years to prevent bone deformities and give early mobilisation and early control of the pain. EMMA is simple to apply even in infants, both for hip containment and to decrease spasticity.