Skeletal Radiol. 2025 Oct 18. doi: 10.1007/s00256-025-05057-3. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to provide normative data on normal linear measurements of the lateral calcaneus surface in pediatric subjects aged 2 and 18 years, analyzing variations across age groups and genders using lateral foot radiographs to aid in assessing calcaneal disorders.
METHODS: A total of 716 lateral foot radiographs (381 males and 335 females) with a mean age of 8.99 years (range, 2-17) were included. Subjects were divided into five age groups (2-4, 5-7, 8-10, 11-13, and 14-17) to assess calcaneal morphometric changes with growth. Pediatric patients aged 2-18 years with healthy, weight-bearing lateral foot radiographs were included. Exclusion criteria were hindfoot surgery, calcaneal fractures, foot deformities, and poor image quality. Six linear calcaneal measurements (maximum length (MAXL), maximum height (MAXH), minimum height (MINH), load arm length (LAL), body height (BH), and cuboidal facet height (CFH)) were obtained from the radiographs for analysis.
RESULTS: Males showed larger calcaneal measurements than females after the age of 7, with significant differences between age groups (p < 0.001). The highest mean values were observed in the 14-17 age group, while the lowest were in the 2-4 age group. Statistically significant gender-related size differences were found for most parameters, with notable differences in CFH, LAL, and MAXL measurements.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides the largest pediatric sample to date on calcaneal morphometric variations, showing significant age- and sex-related differences in calcaneal dimensions. Notably, after the age of 10, male subjects exhibited significantly greater calcaneal length and height compared to females.
PMID:41108413 | DOI:10.1007/s00256-025-05057-3
