Pes Planus

Running is a full body movement that requires the feet to support the body and absorb forces greater than the individual's body weight in a repeated fashion. If the musculoskeletal structures of the feet cannot withstand and disperse the force applied, injury and dysfunction will occur. Without the inherent support of the foot musculature, ligaments are strained, and bones of the foot and ankle must absorb all forces, directly. When the medial longitudinal arch cannot be supported, the entire structure collapses, causing the foot to pronate. These postural signs indicate pes planus, or flat feet. Custom foot orthoses (CFOs) are commonly used to manage pes planus and research within the last 25 years has not provided clear insight on how CFOs influence running mechanics of joints and segments proximal to the foot (knee and hip). Additionally, CFO intervention has not been compared to exercise programming that focuses on strengthening the muscles that provide the foot with intrinsic strength. This study will provide insight on how these two interventions may influence foot biomechanics in the pes planus foot. We are hopeful that our findings can help to inform rehabilitation professionals in how different interventions can alter biomechanical outcomes related to pes planus. Previous literature also commonly focuses on an aging or sedentary individuals, while this study will focus on young active participants with a pes planus foot type. Healthy recreational runners between the ages of 18-35 years old with pes planus will be recruited to participate. Participants will be randomly appointed to one of two groups: 1) the CFO group will wear CFOs for 8 weeks; and 2) the exercise group will be assigned an exercise protocol to complete each day for eight weeks. Participation will consist of completion of a prolonged run protocol in two testing sessions, pre- and post-intervention, and compliance to their assigned intervention. Three-dimensional kinematic data will be collected using a 10-camera motion capture system (Qualisys). For each data collection session, passive reflective markers will be placed on the participant both lower extremities, and participants will be instrumented with a heart rate (HR) monitor. The prolonged run protocol will consist of a five-minute warm-up phase, where participants will choose a comfortable running speed, with a desired HR at approximately 120 beats per minute (bpm). After the warm-up, participants will be permitted to stretch if desired, as they would before a typical run. Once ready, the participant will select a comfortable running pace that best represents their typical training pace. Running speed will be intermittently increased. A member of the research team will monitor the participant throughout the trial to check their HR, ask them to rate their perceived exertion on Borg's RPE scale (which will be displayed in front of them), and ask them to rate any pain they may be feeling on a scale from 1-10. The prolonged run protocol will end when any of the following occurs: 1) participant HR reaches 85% of their HR max, 2) participant rates the activity a score of 17 (very hard) on Borg's RPE Scale, or 3) the participant gives a 7/10 pain rating. Once the protocol has ended, participants will enter a cool-down phase where they will jog or walk until HR lowers. Participants will be able to stretch again following the protocol if desired.

This randomized crossover clinical study aims to investigate the immediate effects of plantar fascia release combined with foot exercises on Functional Movement Screen sub-scores in physically active young adults with pes planus. Participants aged 18-35 years with pes planus, determined by the Navicular Drop Test, will complete two different intervention protocols in a randomized order. Protocol A will include foot-core exercises combined with plantar fascia stretching. Protocol B will include the same foot-core exercises and plantar fascia stretching, with the addition of plantar fascia myofascial release. Each participant will receive both interventions on separate sessions, with a 24-hour washout period between sessions. Functional movement quality will be assessed using two Functional Movement Screen subtests: Deep Squat and Hurdle Step. These tests will be performed before and after each intervention session to evaluate acute changes in movement performance. The main hypothesis of the study is that plantar fascia myofascial release combined with foot-core exercises and plantar fascia stretching will produce greater immediate improvements in Functional Movement Screen Deep Squat and Hurdle Step scores compared with foot-core exercises and plantar fascia stretching alone.

This study examines the effects of repetitive peripheral magnetic stimulation (rPMS) on foot invertor muscle strength, morphology, and the height of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) in individuals with flat feet. The rPMS will be applied non-invasively to the extrinsic and intrinsic foot muscles three times per week for twelve weeks. The experimental group will receive rPMS targeting the invertor muscles of the foot, while the control group will not receive stimulation but will follow the same measurement schedule. Assessments will be performed at baseline, after 6 weeks, and after 12 weeks of intervention. The primary outcome will be the change in the height of the MLA, evaluated using dynamic navicular drop assessment during gait. Secondary outcomes will include changes in the isometric inversion torque of the foot invertors and morphological adaptations of the tibialis posterior muscle assessed by ultrasound imaging. This study seeks to determine whether rPMS can improve the height of the MLA, foot invertor muscle strength and structural stability in adults with flat feet. The findings may contribute to developing new, non-invasive therapeutic approaches for improving foot function and preventing musculoskeletal imbalances related to flat foot deformity.

The goal of the study is to determine effects of sensorimotor technique (SMT) program with short foot exercises on navicular drop and foot posture in school going children in both male and female students of age 7-12. The main question is to aim the answers are; Alternate Hypothesis: There is the effect of sensorimotor technique program with Short Foot Exercises on navicular drop and foot posture in school-going children. Null Hypothesis: There is no effect of the sensorimotor technique program with Short Foot Exercises on navicular drop and foot posture in school-going children. The intervention of sensorimotor technique will be used in children with navicular drop in school going children

The goal of this clinical trial is to compare the effects of biofeedback-assisted short foot exercises and traditional short foot exercises in individuals with flexible pes planus. The study aims to determine whether adding biofeedback to short foot exercises leads to greater improvements in foot biomechanics, balance, and functional ability. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does biofeedback-assisted short foot exercise improve plantar pressure distribution and foot posture more than traditional short foot exercise? Does the use of biofeedback result in greater improvements in balance and functional ability? Researchers will compare a biofeedback-assisted short foot exercise program to a traditional short foot exercise program to evaluate their effects on plantar pressure distribution, foot posture, balance, ankle range of motion, and functional outcomes. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to either a traditional short foot exercise group or a biofeedback-assisted short foot exercise group Participate in a supervised exercise program twice per week for 6 weeks Complete pre- and post-intervention assessments, including plantar pressure analysis, balance tests, foot posture evaluation, and self-reported functional questionnaires

Lipedema is a chronic adipose tissue disorder that commonly leads to joint laxity, hypermobility, and functional limitations, yet its impact on foot morphology has not been systematically examined. This case-control study aims to investigate whether patients with lipedema exhibit a higher prevalence of generalized joint hypermobility and foot structural abnormalities-specifically pes planus-compared with age- and BMI-matched controls. Using radiographic measurements (Meary angle and calcaneal inclination angle), clinical hypermobility assessment, and validated functional scales, the study seeks to determine the relationship between lipedema, hypermobility, and foot function.

This study investigates whether adding Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) to Short Foot Exercises (SFE) improves pes planus, balance, and body awareness in adults with flexible pes planus. Fifty participants aged 18-45 will be randomly assigned to either a BBAT + SFE group or an SFE-only control group. The interventions will last eight weeks with supervised sessions twice weekly and additional home exercises. Outcomes will be measured before, after, and two months post-intervention.

Foot hyperpronation is a common postural condition that can lead to pain, deformities (such as hallux valgus), and muscular issues. This problem is especially relevant among adults who spend long hours standing, such as healthcare workers. Custom-made foot orthoses with a medial wedge have proven effective in improving comfort and correcting certain biomechanical alterations, even in asymptomatic individuals. The study described has two main objectives: * to validate the Italian version of the Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ), already validated in English and Spanish, by assessing its reliability and reproducibility as a tool to measure foot health. * through a pilot study, to analyze the effects of using specific professional footwear in healthcare workers with hyperpronation, evaluating perceived benefits in terms of pain reduction and postural improvement.

Our primary aim is to compare diaphragm function (resting thickness, activity/resting thickness ratio indicating contractility), postural control, and plantar pressure between individuals with pes planus and healthy controls without pes planus.

There is no definite evidence for the conservative treatment of pes planus. We want to verify the combination efficacy of orthosis and toe walking exercise for the treatment of pes planus.