Neurophysiological parameters in patients with hallux valgus

Abstract

We examined 38 patients (35 women and 3 men aged 30–40 years) with stage 2 and 3 hallux valgus in the department of traumatology and orthopedics of the Irkutsk Scientific Centre of Surgery and Traumatology to study the electroneuromyographic parameters during stimulation of the peripheral nerves of the lower extremities. All patients underwent electroneuromyographic study of peripheral nerves (n. tibialis and n. peroneus) to clarify the nature of their injuries. In 10 patients, the parameters of the monosynaptic H-reflex were additionally studied. Analysis of electroneuromyographic parameters in patients with hallux valgus demonstrated a deterioration in the peripheral nerves functioning, which was more pronounced for the tibial nerve (n. tibialis). At the same time, the parameters of the monosynaptic H-reflex obtained in patients with hallux valgus indicate the presence of a neurological deficit observed in the compression of the L5–S1 roots of the spinal cord in lumbar osteochondrosis. The results of the study suggest the presence of a single pathogenetic mechanism for the development of degenerative processes in the spinal joints (osteochondrosis) and limbs (deforming osteoarthrosis of large and small joints).