Radiological and Morphometric Study of Human Metatarsals and Phalanges

Abstract

Background and objectives - ABSTRACT The feet have a major role in human evolution and continue to play a significant role in present day human endeavours. Consequently, alterations, deformities and disorders of the feet have a significant bearing on an individual’s capacity to live life fully and successfully. The functional and aesthetic harmony of the feet may be grossly affected even if there is a small disturbance in the proportions and the relations of the bones of the feet. A fixed correlation between the metatarsals amongst themselves and phalanges amongst themselves can be used to assess, analyze and treat disharmonious metatarsals and phalanges. Orthopaedicians and podiatrists will have a tool for a more accurate prediction of outcome of surgeries. Standardized radiographs of the feet provide a cheap, reliable and non-invasive technique for length and breadth measurements of metatarsals and phalanges. Methods - Plain AP radiographs of the feet were obtained by a standardized technique, in sixty volunteers above the age of twenty two years and screened for readability. Lengths and breadths ( mid-shaft thickness ) of the metatarsals and lengths of phalanges were measured using calibrated vernier calipers. The data were tabulated. A fixed correlation was arrived at, with respect to dimensions of the bones amongst their own group. Formulae for stature estimation were calculated using simple regression methodology. Best fit multiple regression equations were also calculated. Results - The longest metatarsal in both the sexes was the second metatarsal ( 67.61mm ± 3.49 in males and 62.46mm ± 3.45 in females ) . The shortest metatarsal was the first metatarsal ( 56.42mm ± 4.41 in males and 50.09mm ± 3.06 in females ) . The widest metatarsal was first metatarsal ( 13.7mm ± 1.00 in males and 11.7mm ± 0.91in females ) and the least thickness vii was that of third metatarsal ( 6.8mm ± 0.65 in males and 5.9mm ± 0.57 in females ) . The best multiple regression equation for stature estimation was 81.139 + 1.608 MT4 + 0.261 MT5 in males and 88.978 + 0.014 MT4 + 1.112 MT5 in females. Fixed correlation was found between the lengths, and also between the thicknesses of bones of the feet amongst their own group. Conclusions and interpretation - Morphometry of metatarsals and phalanges using radiographs of the feet is a simple and reliable tool for arriving at a fixed correlation amongst the bones of the feet and in estimating stature of individuals.