Introduction
The examination of individual anatomical variability of musculoskeletal system structures has practical value for the solution of many problems of preventive medicine, orthopedics and traumatology [1, 2]. In this respect, the foot, which is a finite and highly differentiated element, plays an important role. The foot is a spring unit for easy walking, determining its smooth, absorbing swing and body vibrations [3]. Standing daily constant physical activity of different duration and intensity, the foot reacts with the active resistance to preserve its anatomical integrity and biomechanical functionality [4, 5].
Slight structural changes of the foot, leading to its deformation, break complex kinematic chain implementing the agreed activities of the bones, joints and muscles. This can lead to the dystonia of the skeletal muscles, the appearance of pain, the appearance of calluses, corns, ulcers.
According to medical statistics, residents of the developed countries suffer from flat feet more often than the citizens of the developing countries. For example, in Europe and in America to 70% of people have some degree of flatfoot, and in India this defect occurs in only 4% of patients. In this aspect of the study of the morphology of the foot, cosidering its physical form and the individual type, acquires practical importance, as it is quite difficult to distinguish between all the options of foot norms and the initial stages of its deformation.
The purpose of this study is to examine individual variability of morphometric parameters feet of 18-19 year-old girls in Saratov region (Russia), with different somatic types.
Material and Methods
Body morphometry examination was performed on 240 women 18-19 years old who are the students of Saratov State Medical University n.a. V.I. Razumovsky (Saratov, Russia), and who are indigenous inhabitants of Saratov region of the Russian Federation. Measurements were conducted during thorough annual medical examination of students in the university polyclinic in compliance with the principles of voluntary participation, individual rights and freedoms guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation.
The examination of young women somatic types was conducted in accordance with the research made by B.A. Nikitiuk and A.I. Kozlov (1990) [6], who had determined nine somatic types such as: dolihomorphic hypotrophic, dolihomorphic normotrophic, dolihomorphic hypertrophic, mezomorphic hypotrophic, mezomorphic normotrophic, mezomorphic hypertrophic, brahimorphic hypotrophic, brahimorphic normotrophic, brahimorphic hypertrophic.
Foot morphometry was performed with planthogram. The processing was done by drawing the scheme.
By the length of the fingers there were determined three types of feet:
- Egyptian type of foot (Egyptian foot) - the first finger is followed by the second, the third, the fourth and the little finger in descending order;
- Roman type or rectangular type of foot (Roman foot) - all fingers are of approximately equal length;
- Greek type of foot (Greek foot) - the second finger is longer than the first and the third fingers.
Shriter index, which characterizes the height of the arch of the foot, was calculated. On the Plantogram the tangent line (AB) is drawn to the most salient points of the inside of print A, from the middle of which the perpendicular to the intersection with the outer edge (VD) print and perpendicular between the outer and inner edges of the print (GD) are erected (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Plantogram (sheme)
The shape of the foot is determined by the index:
I = (GD * 100) / VD,
I – Shriter index; GD – cup perpendicular (in cm); VD – part of the perpendicular (in cm) [7].
According to the meaning of the Shriter index, all feet were divided into the following groups:
- high arch foot – with index meaning of up to 36%;
- high vault foot – with index meaning of up to 43%;
- normal arch foot – with index meaning of up to 50%;
- flattened arch foot- with index meaning of up to 60%;
- platypodia – with index meaning from 60% to 70%.
Weisflog index representing the ratio of the length of the foot to its width was calculated. The length of the foot was determined on the plantogram from the point F to the end of the longest toe; the width of the foot – on the I-V level of metatarsus-phalangeal joints (AZ line). In the most common cases, W index is between 2 and 3. The meaning approaching "2" indicates the transverse platypodia, whereas the meaning nearing "3" shows an ideal foot cross-linking and is a good indicator of its spring function.
The obtained data was processed by statistical analysis. The differences between frequencies were considered reliable at 95% (P<0.05) probability threshold (based on t-test). The variation of anthropometric parameters was evaluated by coefficient of variation (CV). The variation was considered weak if CV does not exceed 10%, the average – when CV was 11.0-25.0%, and significant if CV>25.0%. When was CV>50.0% the distribution was considered asymmetric. All combination options were preprocessed for "pop-up option" [8].
Results
The somatic type’s identification of 18-19 years-old girls showed that the examined group includes all somatic types revealed in according with the method of B.A. Nikitiuk and A.I. Kozlov (1990) except dolihomorphic hypertrophic somatic type. More often girls have mezomorphic normotrophic somatic type (36.3%). In minor cases were defined the mezomorphic hypotrophic type, dolihomorphic normotrophic and mezomorphic hypertrophic somatic types. Dolihomorphic hypotrophic, brachymorphic normotrophic, brachymorphic hypertrophic somatic types are defined 4.5 times rarely and with the same frequency (7.9%). Brachymorphic hypotrophic somatic type is determined in the rarest cases (6.2%) among the examined group (Figure 2).
The following frequency of foot morphological types in 18-19 years-old women without considering somatic type is: the most common is Egyptian foot (42.8%); less common is Roman foot (7.0% less); the rarest is Greek foot (2 times less than Egyptian) (Figure 3).
Figure 2. The frequency (%) of somatic types in the studied group: 1 – dolihomorphic hypotrophic; 2 – dolihomorphic normotrophic; 3 – mezomorphic hypotrophic; 4 – mezomorphic normotrophic; 5 – mezomorphic hypertrophic; 6 – brachymorphic hypotrophic; 7 – brachymorphic normotrophic; 8 – brachymorphic hypertrophic.
Figure 3. The frequency (%) of morphological types of feet in 18-19 years-old girls.
The girls with dolihomorphic hypotrophic somatic type, the mentioned foot types occur with almost equal frequency (31.59-36.84%). In dolihomorphic normotrophic group most of the girls have Egyptian type of foot (44.44%); less common is Roman (7.4% less); the rarest is Greek (2.4 times less than Egyptian foot). In mezomorphic hypotrophic group the Egyptian foot is determined the most frequently (58.06%); Roman – 1.6 times less; Greek - the rarest (6.45%). In mezomorphic normotrophic group Egyptian and Roman feet occur with the same frequency (25.29% and 36.47% respectively); Greek foot is determined rarely (8% less). In mezomorphic hypertrophic group the Egyptian foot is often determined (52.17%); Roman and Greek feet – are less by 1.7 and 3.1 times respectively. In brahimorphic hypotrophic group Egyptian and Roman feet are presented in majority of cases with the same frequency (40.00%); Greek foot is determined in the group 2 times less. In brahimorphic normotrophic group Egyptian foot is determined in most cases; Roman and Greek – 1.8 and 5.7 times less. In brahimorphic hypertrophic group the girls regularly have Roman foot (42.11%); less more rare Greek and Egyptian – by 10.52%, and 1.6 times respectively (Table 1).
In the majority of cases the type of right foot concurs with the type of the left foot.
Analysis of Shriter index has shown that the joint group as well as the group of girls who are brachymorphic hypotrophic, brachymorphic normotrophic, dolihomorphic normotrophic, mezomorphic hypotrophic, mezomorphic normotrophic somatic types have a normal foot arch height, both right and left. The girls of dolihomorphic normotrophic somatic type have the right foot with normal height of the arch, the left one is determined with a flattened arch (P<0.05); the girls mesomorphs hypertrophy – on the right the arch is flattened on the left – normal. The girls with brachymorphic hypertrophic somatic type have flattened arches of the foot, both right and left (Table 2).
Table 1. The frequency of foot morphological cases among women of different somatic types
Somatic type |
Type of foot |
|||||
Egyptian |
Roman |
Greek |
||||
no. |
% |
no. |
% |
no. |
% |
|
Dolih. hypotrophic |
6 |
31.59 |
7 |
36.84 |
6 |
31.59 |
Dolih. normotrophic |
12 |
44.44 |
10 |
37.04 |
5 |
18.52 |
Mez. hypotrophic |
18 |
58.06 |
11 |
35.48 |
2 |
6.45 |
Mez. normotrophic |
30 |
35.29 |
31 |
36.47 |
24 |
28.24 |
Mez. hypertrophic |
12 |
52.17 |
7 |
30.43 |
4 |
17.39 |
Brah. hypotrophic |
6 |
40.00 |
6 |
40.00 |
3 |
20.00 |
Brah. normotrophic |
11 |
57.89 |
6 |
31.58 |
2 |
10.53 |
Brah. hypertrophic |
5 |
26.36 |
8 |
42.11 |
6 |
31.58 |
Dolih., Dolihomorphic; Mez., Mezomorphic; Brah., Brahimorphic.
Table 2. Shriter Index of women in the joint group considering the somatic type
Somatic type |
R/L |
Variational statistics |
|||
Min-Max |
М±m |
SD |
CV, % |
||
Joint group |
R |
20.50-91.80 |
48.16±0.87 |
13.19 |
27.39 |
L |
15.60-95.00 |
48.54±0.88 |
13.36 |
27.52 |
|
Dolih. hypot. |
R |
27.90-88.70 |
49.64±3.75 |
16.33 |
32.90 |
L |
33.30-84.80 |
54.22±3.88 |
16.90 |
31.16 |
|
Dolih. norm. |
R |
27.00-90.60 |
46.86±2.13 |
11.07 |
23.62 |
L |
25.90-94.80 |
48.66±2.29 |
11.90 |
24.46 |
|
Mez. hypot. |
R |
29.10-91.10 |
47.39±2.57 |
14.32 |
30.22 |
L |
31.10-91.56 |
46.25±2.35 |
13.07 |
28.26 |
|
Mez. norm. |
R |
22.50-91.80 |
47.59±1.26 |
11.63 |
24.44 |
L |
15.60-95.00 |
47.46±1.48 |
13.60 |
28.67 |
|
Mez. hyper. |
R |
20.50-88.70 |
51.07±3.27 |
15.69 |
30.72 |
L |
32.60-84.80 |
49.35±2.60 |
25.23 |
2.60 |
|
Brah. hypot. |
R |
28.98-78.40 |
45.11±9.01 |
20.15 |
44.67 |
L |
35.10-75.90 |
47.02±7.28 |
16.27 |
34.61 |
|
Brah. norm. |
R |
30.00-57.70 |
44.16±1.72 |
7.50 |
16.99 |
L |
33.76-74.69 |
46.79±2.11 |
9.19 |
19.64 |
|
Brah. hyper. |
R |
28.98-87.70 |
55.20±3.81 |
16.61 |
31.23 |
L |
38.80-84.80 |
53.46±3.49 |
14.81 |
27.70 |
In the joint group of girls 18-19 years old and among all somatic types Weisflog index tends to the meaning "3", which indicates the normal foot spring function.
The analysis of the arch height frequency has shown the Greek type has the normal height more ofen (34.69%). In Roman and Egyptian feet the normal height arch is determined more rarel (1.79% and 7.14%). Flattened arch is common for Egyptian foot (27.55%). In Roman and Greek feet the flattened arch is determined by 7% less and with the same frequency. Platypodia is most common for girls with a Greek foot (12.24%). The Egyptian and Roman feet have less platypodia cases for 3.00% and with the same frequency. Raised arch is more common for Egyptian and Roman feet (27.55% and 28.05%). The girls with a Greek foot the raised arch is determined almost 2 times rarer. High arch is common for Greek foot (18.37%). In girls with the Egyptian and Roman feet, the high arch is defined 2.3 times rarer (Table 3).
Among the girls 18-19 years old without considering somatotype the normal arch height is more common on the right side than on the left (by 5.2%). Flattened arch is found more often on the left side than on the right (at 6.11%, P<0.05%). Raised arch, high arch and platypodia are determined on the right and left sides with almost the same frequency (Table 4).
Table 3. The frequency of foot arches considering the foot types
Foot type |
Foot arch |
|||||||||
High arch |
Raised arch |
Normal arch |
Flattened arch |
Platypodia |
||||||
no. |
% |
no. |
% |
no. |
% |
no. |
% |
no. |
% |
|
Egyptian |
8 |
8.16 |
27 |
27.55 |
27 |
27.55 |
27 |
27.55 |
9 |
9.18 |
Roman |
7 |
8.54 |
23 |
28.05 |
27 |
32.93 |
17 |
20.73 |
8 |
9.77 |
Greek |
9 |
18.37 |
7 |
14.29 |
17 |
34.69 |
10 |
20.41 |
6 |
12.24 |
Table 4. The frequency of foot arches in various somatic types
Somatic type |
Right/Left |
Foot arch |
|||||||||
High arch |
Raised arch |
Normal arch |
Flattened arch |
Platypodia |
|||||||
no. |
% |
no. |
% |
no. |
% |
no. |
% |
no. |
% |
||
Dolihomorphic hypotrophic |
Right |
4 |
21.05 |
2 |
10.53 |
7 |
36.84 |
2 |
10.53 |
4 |
21.05 |
Left |
3 |
15.79 |
1 |
5.26 |
5 |
26.36 |
4 |
21.05 |
6 |
31.58 |
|
Dolihomorphic normotrophic |
Right |
1 |
3.70 |
10 |
37.04 |
9 |
33.33 |
5 |
18.52 |
2 |
7.41 |
Left |
1 |
3.70 |
9 |
33.33 |
5 |
18.52 |
10 |
37.04 |
2 |
7.41 |
|
Mezomorphic hypotrophic |
Right |
5 |
16.13 |
10 |
32.26 |
9 |
29.03 |
1 |
3.23 |
6 |
19.35 |
Left |
5 |
16.13 |
9 |
29.03 |
8 |
25.81 |
6 |
19.35 |
3 |
9.68 |
|
Mezomorphic normotrophic |
Right |
10 |
11.76 |
21 |
24.71 |
30 |
35.29 |
15 |
17.65 |
9 |
10.59 |
Left |
9 |
10.59 |
22 |
25.88 |
29 |
34.12 |
15 |
17.65 |
10 |
11.76 |
|
Mezomorphic hypertrophic |
Right |
2 |
8.70 |
4 |
17.39 |
9 |
39.13 |
4 |
17.39 |
4 |
17.39 |
Left |
2 |
8.70 |
2 |
8.70 |
8 |
34.78 |
7 |
30.43 |
2 |
8.70 |
|
Brahimorphic hypotrophic |
Right |
6 |
40.00 |
3 |
20.00 |
3 |
20.00 |
3 |
20.00 |
0 |
0 |
Left |
3 |
20.00 |
6 |
40.00 |
3 |
20.00 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
20.00 |
|
Brahimorphic normotrophic |
Right |
3 |
15.79 |
3 |
15.79 |
10 |
52.63 |
3 |
15.79 |
0 |
0 |
Left |
2 |
10.53 |
4 |
21.05 |
8 |
42.11 |
4 |
21.05 |
1 |
5.26 |
|
Brahimorphic hypertrophic |
Right |
2 |
10.53 |
4 |
21.05 |
3 |
15.79 |
6 |
31.58 |
4 |
21.05 |
Left |
2 |
10.53 |
1 |
5.26 |
8 |
42.11 |
4 |
21.05 |
4 |
21.05 |
|
Joint group |
Right |
29 |
12.66 |
55 |
24.02 |
78 |
34.06 |
37 |
16.16 |
30 |
13.10 |
Left |
25 |
10.92 |
57 |
24.89 |
67 |
29.26 |
51 |
22.27 |
29 |
12.66 |
The analysis of the foot arches frequency occurrence has shown that the girls of dolihomorphic hypotrophic somatotype mostly have a normal foot arch height. The normal height is determined on the right side more often than on the left in 10.48%. This difference is statistically significant (P<0.05). Raised arch and high arch are determined more often on the right side than on the left (in 2-fold (P<0.05) and 5.26% (P>0.05). Flattened arch and platypodia are common for the left side (in 2-fold and 10.5%, respectively (P<0.05).
Mezomorphic hypotrophic group frequently has raised arches on both sides: on the right (32.26%) and on the left (29.03%). Normal arch height is determined rarely – on the right side is up to 29.03% and 25.81% on the left one. High arch is determined with the same frequency both on the right and left sides (16.13%). Flattened foot arch is more common on the left side than on the right one (6.3%) (P<0.05). Platypodia is more likely to be observed on the right side than on the left (2 times) (P<0.05) for this somatotype of women.
In mezomorphic normotrophic group the most widely-spread height of foot arch is normal arch, both on the right and on the left sides (30.0% and 29.0% respectively). Fewer cases are presented by high arch (21.0% on the right side and 22.0% on the left) and by flattened arch (17.65% both on the right and left sides). The rarest cases in this somatotype group are presented by high arch (11.76% on the right side and 10.59% on the left) and platypodia (10.59% on the right and 11.76% on the left).
In mezomorphic hypertrophic group in most cases girls have a normal arch height: on the right side normal arch is presented more often than on the left (5.5%) (P>0.05). Flattened arch is more frequently defined on the left side than on the right (1.8-fold; P<0.05); platypodia – on the right side (2.2-fold; P<0.05). Raised arch in this group is more common for the right side than for the left (2.2-fold; P<0.05). High arch women in this group are quite rare (8.7% both right and left sides).
The girls with brahimorphic hypotrophic somatotype have normal arch in 20.0% of cases, both on the right and left sides. Flattened arch is determined only on the right side (20.0%); platypodia - only on the left side (20.0%). Raised arch on the left side is found 2 times more often than on the right side; high arch is more often on the right side than on the left (2 times).
In the group of brahimorphic normotrophic women in the majority of cases have the normal arch height on the right side it is 10.5% more often than on the left (P<0.05). Flattened arch is more frequently defined on the left side than on the right (5.2%, P>0.05). Platypodia is detected in single observation only on the left side (5.2%). Raised arch is most common on the left side (5.2%; P>0.05); high arch is most common on the right side (5.26%; P>0.05).
For brahimorphic hypertrophic girls the normal height arch is typical on the left side and is revealed in 42.11% of cases. On the right side the normal height of the arch is defined 2.8 times rarer (P<0.05%). Flattened arch in the group is determined quite often - on the right side in 31.58% of cases, and on the left – by 10.5% rarer (P<0.05%). The girls with this somatotype have raised arch of the right side 4 times more often than on the left. Platypodia and high arches are defined with the same frequency both on the right and on the left sides (21.05% and 10.53% respectively).
Combined volatility of Weisflog index with height of foot arches has shown that in all groups the index approaches the meaning "3", which is an indicator of good spring function of foot despite the identified changes in the height of the arches
Discussion
The functional diagnostics is one of the leading trends in the health system. It is aimed not only at making exact diagnosis and evaluating undertaken therapeutic treatment, but also at the timely detection of individual variability combinations, which can initiate the forthcoming pathology. The timely detection of predisposition to the feet anatomical changes among the girls of different somatic types considering their feet shapes and early preventive measures will reduce the risk of the beginings of spine diseases, of the formation of irregular pelvic shape and, as a consequence,of the viscera dislocation.
Available data from specific literature indicates a high occurrence of the various changes in the height of the foot arch. According to various authors, the normal height of the foot arch is typical only for 13-25% of girls [9-11]. However, there are no presented data about the changes in the foot arch of its various forms taking in to considiration the somatic type of human.
Our research evidences a high frequency of the normal foot arch cases (up to 35%). What is more the obtained data considers not only the shape of foot, but also the somatic type of the examined girls.
Conclusion
Egyptian form of the foot is typical for women with mezomorphic hypotrophic and brachymorphic normotrophic somatotype. Roman foot is common for girls with brahimorphic hypertrophic and brahimorphic hypotrophic somatotypes. Greek foot is widely-spread among dolihomorphic hypotrophic and brahimorphic hypertrophic women.
High foot arch is usually presented by Greek foot among brahimorphic hypotrophic somatotype; raised arch – by Roman foot among dolihomorphic normotrophic somatotype; flattened arch – by Egyptian foot among dolihomorphic normotrophic somatotype; platypodia – by Greek foot among brahimorphic hypotrophic somatotype.
All forms of feet and its arch height variability indicate its good foot spring function, testifying to the normal physical load distribution.
Conflict of interest: none declared.
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Received 29 September 2016, Revised 10 January 2017, Accepted 24 January 2017
© 2017, Muzurova L.V., Kochelaevskaya I.E.
© 2017, Russian Open Medical Journal
Correspondence to Lyudmila V. Muzurova. Address: Human Anatomy Department, Saratov State Medical University n.a. V.I. Razumovsky, 112, B. Kazachya str., Saratov, 410012, Russia. Phone: +7(8452)669765. E-mail: lmuzurova@yandex.ru