Flexor hallucis longus tendinous slips and the relationship to toe flexor strength

Abstract

BackgroundIn the general population, the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) often has tendinous slips to lesser toes and the number of FHL slips varies between individuals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the number of FHL tendinous slips in an individual foot and its toe flexor strength. MethodsForty healthy men were included in the study. The FHL branch test was used to assess each subject for the number of FHL tendinous slips. Toe flexor strength in each toe was measured using a force gauge. A two-way ANOVA was used to compare toe flexor strength between groups classified according to the number of FHL slips. ResultsThe group of subjects with FHL branching to the second toe was the most common (20/40). The toe flexor strength ratio of the third toe was significantly lower in feet lacking FHL branching to the third toe than in those feet which did have branching to the third toe (P = 0.005). ConclusionsToe flexor strength was affected by FHL tendinous slips. Considering the number of the FHL tendinous slips an individual foot has may be useful in clinical practice for rehabilitation or training of toe flexor muscles.