Abstract:

Purpose: The aim of this study was to obtain information regarding the effect of body weight gain on the biomechanics of foot and the knee pain in middle aged healthy sedentary individuals without any lower extremity pathology.  Methods: Seventy-five women and 18 men a total of 93 cases between the ages of 45-55 years were included in the study. Body mass index (BMI), medial longitudinal arch (MLA), and subtalar angles (SA) of participants were measured. To evaluate pes planus (medial longitudinal arch), Harris Mat was used and universal goniometer was used for angular measurements. The Staheli Index (SI) was used to interpret the graph of foot arch found using the Harris Mat. Knee pain was evaluated by Visual Analog Scale. All assessments were performed at a standard time line between 16:00 and 18.00 after resting for 30 minutes. Measurements were performed with standard techniques, and repeated for three times. Results: According to the results of the evaluations, there were significant correlations between SI and BMI and SA (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between BMI and SA (p>0.05). There were significant correlations between the SI and SA with pain (p<0.05). There was a weak significant correlation between BMI and the knee pain (p=0.049).  Conclusion: This study showed that foot arch (pes planus) was directly affected from BMI and SA was indirectly affected. Changes in foot arch with the increase of BMI may cause incorrect alignment of lower extremity and formation of the knee pain. It was concluded that this situation may be the primary reason for the orthopedic problems due to the lower extremities in long term.

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