The relationship between pes cavus and idiopathic scoliosis

Abstract The incidence of pes cavus and scoliosis was studied in three groups of patients. Group A contained 130 patients with idiopathic scoliosis, Group C contained 210 patients with idiopathic pes cavus, and Group B (control) contained 200 patients of similar age. To investigate the joint presentation of pes cavus and idiopathic scoliosis, because both deformities may share a common etiology linked to muscle imbalance. Sixty five percent of Group A patients (85 of 130) had an abnormally high plantar arch, compared to only 9.5% (19 of 200) of Group B control subjects. Nine percent (20 of 210) of the patients in Group C had scoliosis curves, compared to only four patients in Group B. Radiographs were taken to determine the type of scoliosis curve, its location, and its magnitude, and to identify the incidence of spina bifida occulta in the three groups. The incidence and degree of pes cavus were established by means of foot prints. Statistical analyses were performed on all results. A statistically significant relationship (P