Footprint an Insight for Medial Longitudinal Arch

Abstract

Introduction: Medial Longitudinal Arch (MLA) is important for the foot, since it provides necessary shock absorption during movement. Its estimation can be done by various techniques, viz navicular height method, footprint, radiography. On the footprint various indexes have been suggested by researchers. The study aims to correlate the values of medial longitudinal arch by using standing navicular height method, Clark’s angle and chosen morphological characteristics (mid-footprint planter angle; MFPA) in medical and health science students of Sumandeep Vidyapeeth University. Materials and Methods: Non-randomized study was conducted in the department of Anatomy in SBKSMI&RC on 50 students of medical & health science at Sumandeep Vidyapeeth after prior approval. Three different methods were used for measuring MLA, navicular height method, Clark’s angle (using footprint) and MFPA (using footprint an angle formed by joining the medial most point anteriorly with the point of maximum concavity on the medial side of the foot while posteriorly due to calcaneus bone forming a triangle with this angle). Results: Middle level negative correlation (-0.531 & -0.500) between MFPA and Clark’s angle for right & left foot with statistical significance of <0.001. Negative lower level correlation (-0.297 & -0.104) between Clark’s angle and Navicular method of MLA assessment with statistical significance of <0.05 for right and no significance for left foot were found. Navicular height and MFPA showed positive lower level of correlation (0.435 and 0.461) for right and left foot with statistical significance of <0.005. Inverse regression analysis for MLA value measurement using Clark’s angle and MFPA in left and right foot with regression significance value of r2 = 0.25 and r2 = 0.282 respectively. Conclusion: The new technique (MFPA) of estimating MLA using footprint is significant and strongly correlated with other methods, thus can be considered efficient method for estimation of arch in OPD on day to day basis.