Effect of structural foot deformities on foot function in the elderly


Kavlak Y., Simsek E., Erel S., MUTLU A., BEK N., YAKUT Y., ...Daha Fazla

TURKISH JOURNAL OF PHYSIOTHERAPY REHABILITATION-FIZYOTERAPI REHABILITASYON, cilt.17, sa.2, ss.84-88, 2006 (ESCI) identifier identifier

Özet

Purpose: This study was undertaken to determine how structural foot problems affected foot function and walking speed in the elderly. Materials and methods: Thirty nine elderly retirement home residents without significant disease and an average age of 74.36 +/- 7.71 (5591) years were assessed for presence of deformity, the severity-rigidity and symptoms of that deformity, and the number of deformities. Subjects were also evaluated for total muscle strength of related muscles, Foot Function Index (FFI) and comfortable walking speed of 100 meters. Correlations between these parameters were investigated. Results: The results showed that there was a statistically significant correlation only between walking speed, total muscle strength and foot function index (r=0.353-0.499, p<0.05). No relation was found between total deformity score and the other evaluated parameters (p>0.05). Conclusion: To provide an insight for the complex nature of elderly foot problems factors like foot pain, nail problems and hyperkeratotic lesions should also be taken into consideration besides structural foot deformities.