2021, Vol. 8, Issue 4, Part A

Background: Adult flatfoot is defined as a foot condition that persists or develops after skeletal maturity and is characterized by partial or complete loss or collapse of medial longitudinal arch. There are majority of studies on flat foot in spite of that we can say that still there is no literature available on Flat Foot in Traffic Police. As traffic police officers have long standing hours on duty, medial longitudinal arch may become flat due to stress from pounding on surface. Hence this study was undertaken to find out the Prevalence and Incidence of Flat Foot due to prolonged standing among Traffic Police of Navsari by measuring their Foot Posture Index.

Purpose of The Study: Aim of this study was to assess the foot posture index in Traffic Police of Navsari and objective is to find effect of normal BMI and overweight on long static standing duty hours on medial arch of foot based on WHO classification of BMI.

Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in M.B Gohil Institute Of Medical Science And Research Center, College Of Physiotherapy, Navsari (OPD) on 158 traffic Police including both male and female of Navsari district based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, out of which 30 were excluded. Outcome of the study that is Foot Posture Index-6 were assessed for each Traffic Police with prior informed consent form signed by the participant. Prevalence and incidence of flat foot is done statistically.

Outcome Measure: Foot Posture Index – 6

Statistical Analysis: Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 26 software.

Results: Prevalence and incidence of Flat Foot in our study population was 34% in right foot and 33% in left foot, based on FP1-6 scores. In our study, 63% population was with Normal BMI, scored 33% with pronated foot in right side and 32% pronated foot in left side, and 37% was with Overweight BMI, scored 36% with pronated foot in right side and 34% pronated foot in left side. 73% were male and 27% were females resulted with high prevalence of flat foot in males. Unilateral Pronation was 17% and Bilateral Pronation was 83%.

Conclusion: This study indicates that effect of prolonged standing is responsible for causing of flat foot in traffic police of Navsari district with normal BMI and overweight BMI almost equally.