The Grand Rapids Arch Collapse Classification is a classification primarily developed by Dr Donald R Bohay, MD and John G Anderson, MD from the Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan in Grand Rapids, MI. They first started to develop this in 2011 to help classify the mechanisms that underlie the progressive arch collapse in adults rather than just classify the position of the arch. A key premise underpinning the classification is the premise that one of the major forces behind the degenerative arch collapse is a tightness of the gastrocnemius muscle.
The Grand Rapids Arch Collapse Classification:
Type I: Gastrocnemius equinus, with normal radiographs.
Type II: Medial column incompetence with weight bearing
Type III: Deformity results from further dorsal compression leading to midfoot arthritis.
Type IV: Deformities from failure of both the posterior tibial tendon and/or spring ligament.
Type V: Valgus tilting of the ankle.
The Grand Rapids Arch Collapse Classification system (from Burkard, et al, 2019)
Radiographic examples of each of the five types of the Grand Rapids Arch Collapse Classification (from Burkard, et al, 2019)
Reliability of the Grand Rapids Arch Collapse Classification:
Burkard, et al, 2019 showed the the tool has good interrater reliability between clinicians trained in its use.
Commentary:
- The classification system does not appear to be very widely adopted.
Related Topics:
Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction
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