Prevalence of Foot and Ankle Conditions in a Multiethnic Community Sample of Older Adults

Abstract

The prevalence of foot and ankle disorders was determined in a community-based, multiethnic (non-Hispanic White, African American, and Puerto Rican) random sample of 784 community-dwelling adults aged 65 or more years in 2001-2002 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Overall, the five most common conditions were toenail disorders (74.9%), lesser toe deformities (60.0%), corns and calluses (58.2%), bunions (37.1%), and signs of fungal infection, cracks/fissures, or maceration between toes (36.3%); 30.9% had some tenderness to palpation of the foot or ankle, and 14.9% had ankle joint pain on most days in the past 4 weeks. Toenail conditions, fungal symptoms, and ulcers or lacerations were more common in men, while bunions and corns and calluses were more common in women (p < 0.001). Significant racial/ethnic differences, independent of education or gender, were found for the prevalence of most toe deformities and flat feet, as well as for corns and calluses, fungal signs, edema, ankle joint pain, tenderness to palpation, and sensory loss. Foot and ankle disorders are common in these older adults. Examination of their prevalence in different segments of the community may inform future studies to determine etiology and means of prevention.

Impact of hallux valgus severity on general and foot‐specific health‐related quality of life

“…This finding is consistent with Roddy et al (15), who examined 4,249 people age Ͼ30 years using the same instrument and reported an overall prevalence of 28%, with a prevalence between 30% and 50% in those people age Ͼ50 years. Consistent with previous reports, we also found that the prevalence of hallux valgus increased with age (15), was higher in women (13)(14)(15)(16)(17), and was associated with pain in other body regions (14,15). However, in contrast to some previous studies (14,38), we found that those with hallux valgus had a lower, not higher, BMI.…”

“…The largest study so far undertaken of a general population sample (involving 4,249 people age Ͼ30 years) reported a prevalence of 28% (15). Women are significantly more likely to develop hallux valgus as compared with men (1,2,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17), with sex ratios as high as 9:1 (1,2,(13)(14)(15)(16)(17), and the prevalence of hallux valgus increases steadily with age (15). The condition has a significant impact on balance (18) and gait patterns (19), and is a risk factor for falls in older people (20,21).…”

“…This is problematic, not only because different case definitions have been used (involving simple clinical observation [9,12,13] or self-report [8,10,11]), but also because the degree of deformity varies considerably. Although there are now 2 validated clinical assessment tools that enable the severity of the deformity to be documented (using either 4-or 5-level classifications [27,28]), these scales have generally been dichotomized prior to analysis.…”

Hallux Valgus Correction in Young Patients with Minimally Invasive Technique

“…(Myerson, 2000;Benvenuti et al, 1995;Dunn et al, 2004;Elton & Sanderson, 1986;White & Mulley, 1989;Leveille et al, 1998) This variation is attributable, in part, to different study populations and definitions of hallux valgus used, in particular confusion of the terms hallux valgus and bunion.…”

A relação do ângulo da articulação metatarsofalangeana e de medidas antropométricas com a postura dos pés de idosos

“…Narrow-pointed shoes and high-heels also contribute to the onset of these deformities. In a study involving 784 older adults, 37.1% had hallux valgus, a condition more commonly found among women 3 .…”