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Abstract
Flat foot: imaging techniques
published in September - October 2017 - in Il Fisioterapista - issue n.5
Mauro Branchini, Mirco Branchini

Flat foot is characterized by a flattening of the plantar vault due to impairment of the articular relations of the hind-foot at the level of the subtalaris (talocalcaneal) joint, to immaturity or collapse of the capsular and ligamentous connective structures, or to a lesion of the tendons and muscles that actively support the plantar vault. The drop of the talus with respect to the heel causes a frontal displacement of the bones of the medial part of the mid-foot and rotation-inclination of the heel with a pronated aspect of the hind-foot; the fore-foot, in return, assumes a supinated aspect. With magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) it is possible to identify the damage to ligamentous structures or tendons of the tibialis posterior muscle structures, while one can use traditional radiology to assess and quantify the drop of the plantar vault, the degree of pronation of the hind-foot, and the arthrosis-degenerative aspects of the bones of the feet. Flat foot can be the cause of a complex postural problem involving the suprasegmental structures with internal rotation of the lower limbs and a tendency to valgus of the knee, a forward inclination of the pelvis (anteversion) and an increased lumbar lordosis.