Factors Affecting Static and Dynamic Balance in Individuals with Pes Planus: A 45 Case Clinical Study

INTRODUCTION: Pes planus is one of the most common biomechanical disorders of the lower extremities caused by different intrinsic and extrinsic factors and negatively affects activities of daily living from mild to severe. Balance-based domestic or international studies give limited data on the diagnosis of flatfoot. For this reason, we aimed to give the view of the static and dynamic balance states of individuals with pes planus in our clinic.
METHODS: Twenty-two patients diagnosed with pes planus of deformity grade 2 and above according to the Feiss line and 23 volunteers without pes planus were included in the study. All participants were evaluated for static (30TST and single leg stance tests) and dynamic [Berg balance scale (BBS), Tinetti balance & gait test and timed up & go (TUG) tests] balance.
RESULTS: The distribution among the groups evaluated with nonparametric tests was significant in terms of both static {[χgroup*tandem(1)=17.107, p=0.000], [χ(1)group*single_leg=13.442, p=0.000]} and dynamic [(Ugroup*berg=60, p=0.000), (Ugroup*tinetti=30, p=0.000), (Ugroup*timed_up&go=7.5, p=0.000)] tests
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In all static balance and dynamic tests, the time to stay in balance was found to be lower in the pes planus group, as expected. Apart from this, when the relationship between demographic and clinical data, balance tests and groups was evaluated, no statistically significant relationship was found (p>0.05). Accordingly, static and dynamic balance tests were effective in evaluating flat feet, while factors such as obesity and gender did not affect the degree of disease.