Pes Planus Foot among the First and Second Year Medical Students of a Medical College: A Descriptive Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Foot is a complex segmented structure formed by the articulation of 26 different bones which are held together by multiple ligaments, extrinsic tendons and the intrinsic muscles of the feet. The assessment of median longitudinal arch serves as an important reference in determining the degree of pes planus or pes cavus. This study aims to find the prevalence of pes planus among the undergraduate medical students of a medical college. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the first- and second-year undergraduate medical students of a teaching hospital after taking ethical approval from Institutional Review Committee. The study was conducted from 15th November 2019 to 14th November 2020. Eighty-seven participants were involved in study using the random sampling technique. Foot prints were collected from the participants in the A4 size paper after applying ink over plantar surface of the foot. Measurements were done using the Autodesk Autocad software. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used. Point estimate at 95% Confidence Interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion for binary data. Results: Out of the total subjects, 14 (8.04%) (5.14-10.94 at 95% Confidence Interval) presented with flat foot. Similarly, high arched foot was seen in 29 (16.67%) of subjects whereas normal arched foot was seen in 131 (75.29%) subjects. Conclusions: From the current study we conclude that the prevalence of pes planus was slightly higher than that compared with the similar studies.