Introduction: The first metatarsal: it's importance in the human foot.
For the past 100 years or so, the approach foot and ankle surgeons have taken too often has been to make compensating deformities or to do dysfunctional fusions. There is now a much improved understanding of the foot and attempt to restore normal anatomy, alignment, muscle balance, and function whenever possible. In a way, clinicians try to complete the evolutionary goal for the ideal foot for a biped. The first metatarsal is the key structure in this effort.
Hansen
Sigvard T
ST
Harborview Medical Center, East Clinic, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. hansetmd@u.washington.edu
D005075:Biological Evolution; D005530:Foot Deformities / Q000503:physiopathology; D033023:Foot Joints / Q000502:physiology; D006214:Hallux / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology