Pes planus of the foot is believed to be an important etiological factor in hallux valgus. This study compares the degree of pes planus in normal and hallux valgus feet. The arch index, or ratio of the area of the middle third of the foot to the total footprint area, was calculated on 128 footprints. An unpaired t-test determined no significant difference between the arch index of 32 11-year-old children with hallux valgus and 11-year-olds with no first metatarsophalangeal joint deformity (P >.05). The height of the arch is not relevant to the hallux valgus deformity. Arch supports designed to raise the height of the arch can play only a palliative role in the management of the condition.
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