Abstract
BackgroundHallux valgus (HV), a common structural foot deformity, can cause foot pain and lead to limited mobility. The purpose of this study was to evaluate differences in plantar pressure and force during gait by HV status in a large population-based cohort of men and women.MethodsA trained examiner performed a validated physical examination on participants’ feet and recorded the presence of hallux valgus and other specific foot disorders. Each foot was classified into one of four mutually exclusive groups based on the foot examination. Foot groups were: (i) HV only, (ii) HV and at least one additional foot disorder (FD), (iii) no HV but at least one other FD, and (iv) neither HV nor FD (referent). Biomechanical data for both feet were collected using Tekscan Matscan. Foot posture during quiet standing, using modified arch index (MAI), and foot function during gait, using center of pressure excursion index (CPEI), were calculated per foot. Further, walking scans were masked into eight sub-regions using Novel Automask, and peak pressure and maximum force exerted in each region were calculated.ResultsThere were 3205 participants, contributing 6393 feet with complete foot exam data and valid biomechanical measurements. Participants with HV had lower hallucal loading and higher forces at lesser toes as well as higher MAI and lower CPEI values compared to the referent. Participants with HV and other FDs were also noted to have aberrant rearfoot forces and pressures.ConclusionsThese results suggest that HV alters foot loading patterns and pressure profiles. Future work should investigate how these changes affect the risk of other foot and lower extremity ailments.
Highlights
Hallux valgus (HV), a common structural foot deformity, can cause foot pain and lead to limited mobility
In the No-HV + foot disorder (FD) group, a similar increase in pressure was observed under the lesser toes, but no changes were observed in any other masked region
Feet in the HV + FD group were more likely to display a lower center of pressure excursion index (CPEI) values, higher modified arch index (MAI) values, and reduced lateral rearfoot force and lowered rearfoot peak pressures compared to the referent group
Summary
Hallux valgus (HV), a common structural foot deformity, can cause foot pain and lead to limited mobility. Loading at the hallux may be reduced [11,12,13], increased [14], or unaffected [15] by the presence of HV. These studies were limited by small sample sizes [14,15,16] and narrow age ranges [15,17], as well as exclusions of severe clinical cases [14], men [18] , and feet with multiple foot disorders [18]
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