title: Hallux limitus and its relationship with the internal rotational pattern of the lower limb.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aims of this study were to determine whether individuals with mild hallux limitus show a diminished capacity of internal rotation of the lower limb compared with those without hallux limitus and whether individuals with mild hallux limitus show an increased foot progression angle.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 80 study participants (35 with normal feet and 45 with mild hallux limitus), the capacity of internal rotation of the lower limb (internal rotational pattern), hallux dorsiflexion, and the foot progression angle were measured. The values for internal rotational pattern and foot progression angle were compared between the two study groups, and the correlations between these variables were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The capacity of internal rotation of the lower limb was significantly lesser in patients with mild hallux limitus (P < .0001). There was no significant difference in foot progression angle between the two groups (P = .115). The Spearman correlation coefficient was 0.638 (P < .0001) for the relationship between internal rotational pattern and hallux dorsiflexion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with mild hallux limitus had a lesser capacity of internal rotation of the lower extremity than did individuals in the control group. The more limited the internal rotational pattern of the lower limb, the more limited was hallux dorsiflexion. The foot progression angle was similar in both groups.
authors: Departamento de Podología, University of Seville, Spain.
authors: Guillermo
authors: G
authors: Lafuente
authors: Pedro V
authors: PV
authors: Munuera
authors: Gabriel
authors: G
authors: Dominguez
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Reina
authors: Blanca
authors: B
authors: Lafuente
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006214:Hallux / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020857:Hallux Limitus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008683:Metatarsophalangeal Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult