Radiological evaluation of the rheumatic foot

Abstract

Objective: To correlate radiographic measurements with the patient’s age and evolution time of the rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: A consecutive sample of roentgenographies of 50 rheumatoid patients, ages from 32 to 76 years old and disease duration from 4 to 35 years old. It was performed a goniometric measurement of the hallux valgus angle (HVA), angle between the 1st and 2nd metatarsus (AI-II), angle between the 1st and 5th metatarsus (AI-V), Meàry’s angle (AM), Costa-Bertani’s angle (ACB), talocalcaneal angle (ATC), and calcaneal pitch (PC). Results: There was a positive relationship between AVH and the patient’s age. There was positive relationship between AM and PC, and AM and ACB had an inversely proportional relationship. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that, in rheumatic patients, the hallux valgus angle increases with the aging; splaying of the foot does not have relationship with aging, disease duration, or flat foot; talonavicular subluxation is related to the decrease of the longitudinal arch; and AM and ACB have an inversely proportional relationship.