Ultrasound evaluation of the quadriceps muscles in pronated foot posture

Abstract

Objective: The main goal of this study was to investigate the size of all portions of the quadriceps muscles in individuals with pronated foot posture compared to normal foot posture using ultrasound imaging.

Design: Twenty nine females with pronated foot posture and 29 age-, body weight-, body height-matched females with normal foot posture were recruited from university communities. The muscle thicknesses of the rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), vastus medialis oblique (VMO), vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus intermedius (VI) were measured using ultrasound imaging.

Results: The thicknesses of the RF and VMO were significantly smaller in individuals with pronated foot posture compared to normal foot posture (p<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the VM, VL, and VI muscle thicknesses in both groups.

Conclusion: Based on the results of the present study, it seems that besides the foot and lower leg muscles, an integrated assessment of proximal knee muscles, especially quadriceps, is required in individuals with pronated foot posture.

Keywords: Pronated foot; Quadriceps; Thickness; Ultrasound imaging.