Foot pain and functional limitation in healthy adults with hallux valgus: a cross-sectional study

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Research Article

Michelle D Smith¹  Bill T Vicenzino¹  Sheree E Nix² 

[1] Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, 4072, St Lucia, QLD, Australia;Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, 4072, St Lucia, QLD, Australia;School of Clinical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, 4059, Kelvin Grove, QLD, Australia;

关键词: Hallux valgus;    Foot pain;    Physical function;    Footwear;   

DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2474-13-197

 received in 2012-03-09, accepted in 2012-10-11,  发布年份 2012

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundHallux valgus (HV) is a very common deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint that often requires surgical correction. However, the association between structural HV deformity and related foot pain and disability is unclear. Furthermore, no previous studies have investigated concerns about appearance and difficulty with footwear in a population with HV not seeking surgical correction. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate foot pain, functional limitation, concern about appearance and difficulty with footwear in otherwise healthy adults with HV compared to controls.MethodsThirty volunteers with HV (radiographic HV angle >15 degrees) and 30 matched controls were recruited for this study (50 women, 10 men; mean age 44.4 years, range 20 to 76 years). Differences between groups were examined for self-reported foot pain and disability, satisfaction with appearance, footwear difficulty, and pressure-pain threshold at the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Functional measures included balance tests, walking performance, and hallux muscle strength (abduction and plantarflexion). Mean differences (MD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated.ResultsAll self-report measures showed that HV was associated with higher levels of foot pain and disability and significant concerns about appearance and footwear (p < 0.001). Lower pressure-pain threshold was measured at the medial first metatarsophalangeal joint in participants with HV (MD = −133.3 kPa, CI: -251.5 to −15.1). Participants with HV also showed reduced hallux plantarflexion strength (MD = −37.1 N, CI: -55.4 to −18.8) and abduction strength (MD = −9.8 N, CI: -15.6 to −4.0), and increased mediolateral sway when standing with both feet with eyes closed (MD = 0.34 cm, CI: 0.04 to 0.63).ConclusionsThese findings show that HV negatively impacts on self-reported foot pain and function, and concerns about foot appearance and footwear in otherwise healthy adults. There was also evidence of impaired hallux muscle strength and increased postural sway in HV subjects compared to controls, although general physical functioning and participation in physical activity were not adversely affected.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© Nix et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. 2012