The Relationship Between Forefoot and Rearfoot Static Alignment in Pain-Free Individuals With Above-Average Forefoot Varus Angles

Abstract

This study used a within-subjects correlational design to determine the relationship between forefoot varus angle and standing rearfoot angle among individuals with above-average forefoot varus angles. Clinicians have long theorized that forefoot position is related to the standing rearfoot angle and that both may be related to pronation during gait. More recently, data suggest that the association between static forefoot and rearfoot position may be limited to those individuals with forefoot varus angles larger or smaller than average. However, little data are available on the association between static forefoot and rearfoot angles among individuals with larger than average forefoot varus angles. Twenty-three healthy participants (mean age = 27.04 ± 6.24 years) with at least 8 degrees of forefoot varus bilaterally were recruited for this study. Goniometric measurements of forefoot varus angle and standing rearfoot angle of each foot were taken. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were used to assess intrarater and interrater reliability of the static forefoot and rearfoot angle measurements. The Pearson product moment coefficient was used to assess the association between the forefoot and rearfoot static angles. ICCs for intrarater and interrater reliability of the forefoot and rearfoot angles were equal to or greater than 0.98 and 0.92, respectively. Forefoot varus angle was significantly correlated with standing rearfoot angle (P = .034). Among healthy individuals with larger than average forefoot varus angles, static forefoot varus and standing rearfoot valgus angles demonstrate a positive association.