Metatarsal protrusion angle: values of normality.
BACKGROUND
We performed an adaptation of the system of evaluation of metatarsal protrusion described by Oller in 1994 to study the metatarsal parabola group.


METHODS
The system of measurement was applied to the five metatarsals of 169 normal feet (72 feet of women and 97 feet of men) according to the inclusion criteria established.


RESULTS
The mean +/- SD metatarsal protrusion angle with respect to the second ray in women was 87.49 degrees +/- 5.48 degrees for metatarsal I, 70.00 degrees +/- 5.74 degrees for metatarsal III, 63.47 degrees +/- 4.17 degrees for metatarsal IV, and 56.38 degrees +/- 3.27 degrees for metatarsal V. In men, the values were 85.30 degrees +/- 6.75 degrees for metatarsal I, 68.00 degrees +/- 6.72 degrees for metatarsal III, 60.56 degrees +/- 4.61 degrees for metatarsal IV, and 54.13 degrees +/- 3.75 degrees for metatarsal V. The comparative analysis between women and men showed significant differences (P < .05) for all of the values of metatarsal protrusion.


CONCLUSIONS
The comparative analysis between women and men indicates a possible difference between the anthropometric values of these variables in humans, suggesting a possible repercussion on the biomechanical patterns by sex.
Domínguez
Gabriel
G
Department of Podiatrics, University of Seville, Seville, Spain. gdominguez@us.es
Munuera
Pedro V
PV
Lomas
Mercedes
M
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012984:Software; D055815:Young Adult