Assessment of the frequency and severity of foot deformities in patients with rheumatic diseases

Background
Rheumatic diseases manifest with inflammatory and degenerative changes in the musculoskeletal system, leading to joint deformities, limiting dexterity, causing pain, and being a significant factor affecting disability level. Common causes of foot deformities include arthropathic conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and some connective tissue diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SS).

Aims
The study aimed to assess the frequency of flat feet occurrence and the regularity of foot structure among patients with rheumatic diseases.

Material and methods
The study included patients suffering from three rheumatic diseases: RA, AS, and SS. The conducted research involved a static assessment of the plantar side of the feet, consisting of creating a detailed imprint using plantar contouring and measurements of podometric parameters for both feet, utilizing a computerized recorder integrated with a podoscope.

Conclusions
In over half of all patients, the presence of valgus deformity of the foot was observed (right foot – 54.4%, left foot – 52.6%), while a small percentage exhibited varus deformity of the foot (both right and left feet – 2.3%). Normal foot arching was found in just under half of the participants (right foot – 43.3%, left foot – 45.1%). Only 24 (14.0%) individuals confirmed awareness of flat feet.