A Simplified Technique for Determining Foot Progression Angle in Children 4 to 16 Years of Age

Abstract

Summary Foot progression angle was determined in 400 normal children ranging in age from 4-16 years using a new clinically available assessment technique. Children ages 4-5 were found to have an average out-toeing of 2.8° (1 STD = 6.9°). The average foot progression angle increased with age to 7.3° at age 16 (1 STD = 4.4°). Univariate analysis of these data found that age, tibial alignment, arch index, and the ratio of body weight to body height significantly affected foot progression angle. If, for children 4-16 years of age, two standard deviations from the average of 4.2° out-toeing is taken as a normal range of variance, -8° (in-toeing) to + 16.4° (out-toeing) would be acceptable for these ages. The measurement technique is described in detail, and the normative values and age-specific results are reviewed and discussed.