Podological Analysis in Children with Neuromotor Disabilities

Background. Pediatric patients with neuromotor disorders often present with a variety of podiatric conditions. Despite the use of treatments like orthotics and insoles, the effectiveness of these interventions in managing associated foot problems is not well understood. Aim. This study aims to e...

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Main Author: Roberto Tedeschi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Lithuanian Sports University 2024-12-01
Series:Reabilitacijos Mokslai: Slauga, Kineziterapija, Ergoterapija
Online Access:https://journals.lsu.lt/reabilitacijos-mokslai/article/view/1538
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author Roberto Tedeschi
author_facet Roberto Tedeschi
author_sort Roberto Tedeschi
collection DOAJ
description Background. Pediatric patients with neuromotor disorders often present with a variety of podiatric conditions. Despite the use of treatments like orthotics and insoles, the effectiveness of these interventions in managing associated foot problems is not well understood. Aim. This study aims to evaluate common podiatric issues in children with neuromotor disorders and to assess the associations between these conditions and various interventions, such as orthotics, insoles, and surgeries. Methods. An observational study was conducted with 20 pediatric patients (aged 4–16 years) diagnosed with neuromotor disorders, including cerebral palsy, idiopathic toe walking, and genetic syndromes. Podiatric conditions such as ingrown toenails, hyperhidrosis, and toe walking were documented. Chi-square tests were used to determine the relationships between treatments and podiatric conditions Results. Orthotic use was significantly associated with ingrown toenails (χ² = 5.69, p = 0.017). Insole usage was linked to increased hyperhidrosis (χ² = 4.44, p = 0.035), while orthotics were more prevalent in patients who had undergone Achilles tendon lengthening (χ² = 8.15, p = 0.017). Common podiatric issues included hyperkeratosis (30%), ingrown toenails (40%), and toe walking (40%). Conclusions. The aim of this study was to describe the podiatric issues of the foot in children with neuromotor disorders. The findings reveal a high prevalence of conditions such as ingrown toenails, hyperkeratosis, and toe walking. The study also identifies associations between these conditions and the use of orthotics, insoles, and surgical interventions, demonstrating that while these treatments are common, they may sometimes exacerbate certain conditions. This underscores the importance of regular, individualized podiatric care to manage and mitigate these issues effectively. However, further research with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up is necessary to fully understand the impact of these interventions and develop optimized care strategies. Keywords: neuromotor disorders; podiatric conditions; pediatric patients; foot health; podiatrists.
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spelling doaj-art-4d1f7bbec4e44b29ad627bc0ec03e5102025-01-09T09:27:14ZengLithuanian Sports UniversityReabilitacijos Mokslai: Slauga, Kineziterapija, Ergoterapija2029-31942538-86732024-12-0123110.33607/rmske.v2i31.1538Podological Analysis in Children with Neuromotor DisabilitiesRoberto Tedeschi01Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, University of Bologna, Bologna Background. Pediatric patients with neuromotor disorders often present with a variety of podiatric conditions. Despite the use of treatments like orthotics and insoles, the effectiveness of these interventions in managing associated foot problems is not well understood. Aim. This study aims to evaluate common podiatric issues in children with neuromotor disorders and to assess the associations between these conditions and various interventions, such as orthotics, insoles, and surgeries. Methods. An observational study was conducted with 20 pediatric patients (aged 4–16 years) diagnosed with neuromotor disorders, including cerebral palsy, idiopathic toe walking, and genetic syndromes. Podiatric conditions such as ingrown toenails, hyperhidrosis, and toe walking were documented. Chi-square tests were used to determine the relationships between treatments and podiatric conditions Results. Orthotic use was significantly associated with ingrown toenails (χ² = 5.69, p = 0.017). Insole usage was linked to increased hyperhidrosis (χ² = 4.44, p = 0.035), while orthotics were more prevalent in patients who had undergone Achilles tendon lengthening (χ² = 8.15, p = 0.017). Common podiatric issues included hyperkeratosis (30%), ingrown toenails (40%), and toe walking (40%). Conclusions. The aim of this study was to describe the podiatric issues of the foot in children with neuromotor disorders. The findings reveal a high prevalence of conditions such as ingrown toenails, hyperkeratosis, and toe walking. The study also identifies associations between these conditions and the use of orthotics, insoles, and surgical interventions, demonstrating that while these treatments are common, they may sometimes exacerbate certain conditions. This underscores the importance of regular, individualized podiatric care to manage and mitigate these issues effectively. However, further research with larger sample sizes and long-term follow-up is necessary to fully understand the impact of these interventions and develop optimized care strategies. Keywords: neuromotor disorders; podiatric conditions; pediatric patients; foot health; podiatrists. https://journals.lsu.lt/reabilitacijos-mokslai/article/view/1538
spellingShingle Roberto Tedeschi
Podological Analysis in Children with Neuromotor Disabilities
Reabilitacijos Mokslai: Slauga, Kineziterapija, Ergoterapija
title Podological Analysis in Children with Neuromotor Disabilities
title_full Podological Analysis in Children with Neuromotor Disabilities
title_fullStr Podological Analysis in Children with Neuromotor Disabilities
title_full_unstemmed Podological Analysis in Children with Neuromotor Disabilities
title_short Podological Analysis in Children with Neuromotor Disabilities
title_sort podological analysis in children with neuromotor disabilities
url https://journals.lsu.lt/reabilitacijos-mokslai/article/view/1538
work_keys_str_mv AT robertotedeschi podologicalanalysisinchildrenwithneuromotordisabilities