Comparison of Radiological Parameters to Predict the Adult Acquired Flatfoot Deformity (AAFD) in Indian population: A Retrospective Study

Background. The purpose of the study was to describe the most sensitive and specific radiological parameter to diagnose symptomatic adult acquired flatfeet deformity (AAFD) with weight bearing radiographs in Indian population. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted in which 50 consecutive patients with 100 flat feet were included at department of orthopedics from August 2021 to October 2022. Amongst them, 32 were bilateral (64 feet) and 18 were unilateral (18 flat feet and 18 normal feet) flat feet. Results. Out of these 50 subjects, 32 (64%) had bilateral flat feet, 18 (36%) were unilateral (11 left foot and 7 right foot). Out of 50 patients (100 feet), 24 had symptoms on left foot, whereas 26 had symptoms on right foot (total number of symptomatic patients were 50). Amongst our study population (50 subjects), 23 (46%) patients did not have any co-morbidities. 18 (36%) patients had type 2 diabetes, 5 (10%) patients had hypertension, 3 (6%) patients were associated with hypothyroidism and one indi-vidual (2%) showed psychiatric disorder. The talar 1^st metatarsal angle in lateral view, talar uncoverage angle and the talar 1^st metatarsal angle in anteroposterior (AP) view, were found to be statistically significant. Conclusions. Three radiologic parameters-talar 1^st metatarsal angle in lateral view and talar uncoverage angle and talar-1^st metatarsal angle in anteroposterior view can be the most relevant radiological parameters in the assessment of AAFD in Indian population. We also conclude that the talar uncoverage angle has a higher sensitivity of 82% to predict symptomatic flat foot in adults.