title: Relationship between lower extremity alignment and hallux valgus in women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Most previous studies on hallux valgus focused on the possible relationship between this deformity and muscles and/or ligaments in the foot and lower leg. Very little is known about the relationship between hallux valgus and alignment of the proximal joints. The aims of the present study were to determine the extent to which lower extremity alignment characteristics of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot were related to the manifestation of hallux valgus and to identify variables predicting its development in women.
  
  
  METHODS
  A group of 25 women with hallux valgus and 24 control women, age 51 to 80 years, were interviewed and screened for the current study. Measurements recorded were hallux valgus angle; intermetatarsal angle; a set of body physique measures (eg, height); range of motion at the hip, knee, ankle, and foot joints; general hypermobility; lower extremity alignment (eg, tibiofemoral angle); and 9 anatomical anomalies (eg, knee valgus/varum).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women with hallux valgus manifested notably higher range of motion at their joints, different lower extremity alignment, higher prevalence of general joint hypermobility, and higher prevalence of anatomical anomalies compared with controls. Estimated marginal means for most joint range of motion and lower extremity alignment measurements were notably higher for the hallux valgus group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lower extremity alignment and joint range of motion were correlated with hallux valgus. Future studies could possibly identify anatomic risk factors for the development of hallux valgus, nonsurgical methods of prevention and adjunctive surgical methods of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level III, comparative case series.
authors: Zinman College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Wingate Institute, Netanya, Israel. knopp@wincol.ac.il
authors: Nili
authors: N
authors: Steinberg
authors: Aharon
authors: A
authors: Finestone
authors: Matityahu
authors: M
authors: Noff
authors: Aviva
authors: A
authors: Zeev
authors: Gali
authors: G
authors: Dar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D005260:Female; D005413:Flatfoot / Q000503:physiopathology; D006215:Hallux Valgus / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000503:physiopathology; D007596:Joints / Q000503:physiopathology*; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology
keywords: anatomical anomalies; hallux valgus; hypermobility; lower extremity morphological characteristics; range of motion