Motion of the multisegmental foot in hallux valgus.
BACKGROUND
Hallux valgus is a common condition characterized by lateral deviation of the large toe and medial deviation of the first metatarsal. While some gait analyses of patients with hallux valgus have been performed using plantar pressures, very little is known about the kinematics of gait in this population. The purpose of this study was to evaluate triplanar kinematics in patients with hallux valgus using a multisegmental foot model.


METHODS
A 15-camera Vicon Motion Analysis System was used to evaluate the gait of 38 feet in 33 patients with mild to severe hallux valgus. The Milwaukee foot model was used to characterize dynamic foot and ankle kinematics and temporal-spatial parameters. Values were compared with normal subjects. Outcomes were evaluated using the SF-36 assessment tool.


RESULTS
Patients with hallux valgus showed significantly decreased velocity and stride length and prolonged stance. Significant alterations in gait kinematics were observed in various planes in all segments (hallux, forefoot, hindfoot, and tibia) of the foot and ankle, particularly in the ranges of motion of the hallux and the forefoot.


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrate significantly altered kinematic and temporal-spatial parameters reflective of reduced ambulatory function in patients with hallux valgus. As reports describing multisegmental foot and ankle kinematics in this population are limited, this study is valuable in characterizing gait in patients with hallux valgus.


CONCLUSIONS
A better understanding of altered gait dynamics of the multisegmental foot in patients with hallux valgus provides valuable insight on how distal pathology affects proximal segments.
Medical College of Wisconsin, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 9200 W Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. kcanseco@mcw.edu
Karl
K
Canseco
Leah
L
Rankine
Jason
J
Long
Thomas
T
Smedberg
Richard M
RM
Marks
Gerald F
GF
Harris
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005684:Gait / Q000502:physiology; D006215:Hallux Valgus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies