Low back pain: Effect of coexisting foot deformity on disability

Abstract

Low back pain is one of the most common health problems facing the developed countries of the world and 75% of the population suffer from back problem at some time during their lives. Sixty-two patients with mechanical low back pain were evaluated for presence of pes planus and hallux valgus deformities. We grouped our patients as the foot deformity and normal feet groups according to the presence of hallux valgus and/or pes planus. Patients with at least one deformity were accepted as the deformity group. VAS, Quebec back pain disability scale and Oswestry disability questionnaire were inquired to assess disability and pain. Thirty-eight of 62 patients had pes planus and/or hallux valgus in their bilateral feet. There was significant difference between Quebec and Oswestry scores of normal and deformity groups. Our analysis displayed good correlation between indicators of pain and disability: VAS and Quebec and Oswestry scores. We observed that presence of foot deformities increases disability levels in low back pain patients.