Abstract
Background: Flexible flatfoot is one of the most common foot deformities in children and has been associated with altered gait mechanics and an increased risk of lower-extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
Aim: This study aimed to compare lower-limb kinematics and ground reaction forces during walking between children with flexible flatfoot and healthy controls.
Material and Methods: Twenty boys with flexible flatfoot (n = 10) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 10) walked barefoot at a self-selected speed while three-dimensional lower-limb kinematics and ground reaction forces were recorded. Between-group differences were evaluated using independent-samples t-tests.
Results: No significant between-group differences were observed in spatiotemporal gait parameters. Compared with healthy controls, children with flexible flatfoot demonstrated significantly greater vertical ground reaction forces at heel contact and push-off, greater mediolateral ground reaction force at heel contact, increased ankle plantarflexion during early stance, and greater hip extension during late stance (all p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Children with flexible flatfoot exhibited altered lower-limb kinematics and greater ground reaction forces during walking despite similar spatiotemporal gait characteristics. These findings suggest that flexible flatfoot is associated with changes in gait mechanics that may have implications for lower-extremity loading and should be considered in clinical assessment and rehabilitation.