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Overview Of Foot Anatomy And Biomechanics And Assessment Of Foot Pain In Adults

by Sarah Diaz
Foot pain is a common problem among adults. According to the Framingham population study of older adults, approximately 19 percent of men and 25 percent of women have significant foot pain on most days of the week that often limits their ability to function [1]. The authors of this study recommend that clinicians include a foot examination as part of their routine evaluation of older patients. However, many clinicians may not be adequately prepared to perform such an examination as their training in the diagnosis and care of foot problems is limited [2].

 

This topic reviews the common causes of foot pain in adult patients, including the frequency of problems in specific populations. Conditions are organized by location, including the forefoot, midfoot, and rear foot. Examination focuses on visual inspection of the foot. The appearance of many common foot conditions can lead the clinician to the correct diagnosis. A detailed approach to the diagnosis of forefoot pain is provided separately. (See "Evaluation and diagnosis of common causes of forefoot pain in adults".)

EPIDEMIOLOGY AND RISK FACTORS

Certain populations appear to be at increased risk of developing foot pain. These include: older adults, the obese, active adults who participate in sports that involve running and jumping, active military personnel, and those engaged in certain occupations [3-7].

 

In a multiethnic sample of 784 community dwelling adults older than 65 years, 30.9 percent had tenderness to palpation of the foot. In addition, minor foot disorders affected the majority of individuals, including toenail disorders (74.9 percent), minor toe deformities (60 percent), corns and calluses (58.2 percent), and bunions (37.1 percent). Skin problems, including fungal infection, cracking, maceration between toes, and minor cuts, affected greater than one-third of individuals. Gender differences were noted, with women having greater problems with bunions, corns, and calluses. In addition, racial and ethnic differences were noted for flat feet, corns and calluses, toe disorders, and other physical findings, although additional studies would be needed to clarify these findings [3].

Several studies document a significant burden of disability and impaired quality of life among middle aged and older adults with foot pain. In a meta-analysis of 31 studies including 75,505 participants, 24 percent experienced frequent foot pain [4]. Forefoot pain was most common and women appeared affected more frequently than men. In affected individuals, two-thirds reported moderate disability secondary to this pain. In an older cohort of 301 community-dwelling patients aged 70 to 95 years, 36 percent reported disabling foot pain; foot pain had a strong association with depression and low well-being scores on a standardized symptom inventory [5].

 

REFERENCES

  1. Menz HB, Dufour AB, Casey VA, et al. Foot pain and mobility limitations in older adults: the Framingham Foot Study. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2013; 68:1281.
  2. Clawson DK, Jackson DW, Ostergaard DJ. It's past time to reform the musculoskeletal curriculum. Acad Med 2001; 76:709.
  3. Dunn JE, Link CL, Felson DT, et al. Prevalence of foot and ankle conditions in a multiethnic community sample of older adults. Am J Epidemiol 2004; 159:491.
  4. Thomas MJ, Roddy E, Zhang W, et al. The population prevalence of foot and ankle pain in middle and old age: a systematic review. Pain 2011; 152:2870.
  5. Menz HB, Tiedemann A, Kwan MM, et al. Foot pain in community-dwelling older people: an evaluation of the Manchester Foot Pain and Disability Index. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2006; 45:863.
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  7. Pearce CJ, Brooks JH, Kemp SP, Calder JD. The epidemiology of foot injuries in professional rugby union players. Foot Ankle Surg 2011; 17:113.
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  13. Robinson JF, Ouzounian TJ. Brachymetatarsia: congenitally short third and fourth metatarsals treated by distraction lengthening--a case report and literature summary. Foot Ankle Int 1998; 19:713.
  14. Froehlich V, Wuenschel M. A rare combination of brachymetatarsia and congenital hallux varus: case report and review of the literature. J Am Podiatr Med Assoc 2014; 104:85.
  15. Jenkins DW, Cooper K, O'Connor R, et al. Prevalence of podiatric conditions seen in Special Olympics athletes: Structural, biomechanical and dermatological findings. Foot (Edinb) 2011; 21:15.
  16. Hillstrom HJ, Song J, Kraszewski AP, et al. Foot type biomechanics part 1: structure and function of the asymptomatic foot. Gait Posture 2013; 37:445.
  17. Mootanah R, Song J, Lenhoff MW, et al. Foot Type Biomechanics Part 2: are structure and anthropometrics related to function? Gait Posture 2013; 37:452.
  18. Di Caprio F, Buda R, Mosca M, et al. Foot and lower limb diseases in runners: assessment of risk factors. J Sports Sci Med 2010; 9:587.
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