������

One foot in front of the other seems to be the course of action for Jermaine Gordon, undergraduate student in the Department of Biology.

“I didn’t really know what to expect from this experience,” Gordon said. “I went into it with an open mind and willingness to learn.”

Metatarsus Adductus (MTA) is a podiatric disorder typically found within infants and children. This condition is thought to form in the womb and causes the feet to curve inward. While most cases often correct themselves, medical intervention is sometimes necessary to avoid further complications. 

“There are multiple ways to assess the severity of the condition,” Larry Osher, Ph.D., professor in the College of Podiatric Medicine, said. “However, they often produce differential and unreliable measurements.” 

Over the course of Gordon’s research project, he analyzed around 200 radiographs with three different methods to determine the reliability of each. 

“Certain situations require different methods, but by looking at previous results and comparing them to the new set of numbers I obtained from my project, I will be able to analyze the validity of each method,” Gordon said. 

By identifying an accurate method to determine the severity of the condition, a more suitable medical approach can be considered to correct the positioning of the feet.