FEET
Flat foot (pes planus) is seen in the vast majority of adults with Down’s syn drome. In mild cases, the heel is in a neutral position. In severe cases, the heel rotates so that the person is walking on the inside of the heel. Flat feet result in heavy calluses of the feet, pointing of the front part of the feet away from each other (the opposite of being ‘pigeon-toed’), and even the creation of bone spurs in the feet. Many cases respond to orthotics, but severe cases need surgical correction.
Metatarsus primus varus (MPV) is also commonly seen in adults with Down’s syndrome, and is the condition in which the front part of the foot behind the big toe bends inward. This creates an obvious deformity of the foot, making the task of finding shoes that fi t more difficult. If the condition exists for long enough, a painful irritation called a bunion appears at the spot where the foot bends in the most. Mild or early cases of MPV may be treated with orthotics or special shoes, but severe cases require surgical correction.
In these situations, it is important to ensure that adults with Down’s syn drome have properly fitting shoes that do not rub and chafe the skin, and that foot care is of high priority for carers and students. Often, this is a neglected area, but regular care and assessment by a podiatrist will improve an individual’s quality of life.
GROWTH
Adults with Down’s syndrome are of characteristically short stature compared with the general population and need to have Down’s syndrome specific growth charts employed to reference growth. Excessive weight-to-height ratios are frequently observed in adults with Down’s syndrome, which affect general mobility, especially in the presence of a musculoskeletal abnormality.
