Flatfoot Deformity Emerges as Strongest Predictor of Midfoot Arthritis (MA)

MA is the second most common site of arthritis in the foot. Inconsistent treatment approaches and limited academic focus create the opportunity for new avenues of research. Weight-bearing CT (WBCT) now offers a way to study associated risk factors for MA. 

WBCT analysis reveals MA risk factors

Researchers analyzed 606 cases (out of 1,316 total) from a single hospital’s WBCT database. They divided cases by the presence of MA and examined 25 potential risk factors. 

MA affected 56% to 58% of cases in both sexes. Five factors independently predicted MA:

• PCFD (flatfoot deformity) was the strongest link, with 6.6 times higher odds.

• Lesser toe deformities were associated with three times higher odds.

• Laterality was linked to 1.5 times higher odds.

• Age showed smaller, but significant effects.

• BMI showed smaller, but significant effects.

What this means for patient care

Clinicians can now flag patients with flatfoot or toe deformities as being higher risk for midfoot arthritis and may tailor treatment recommendations to etiology.