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Background: Hallux valgus occurs more frequently in women as they age; therefore, it is beneficial to prevent hallux valgus in younger women. The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of hindfoot morphology and the range of motion of the ankle joint with hallux valgus in young women., Methods: The participants were 140 young women (mean age 18.8 ± 0.6 years). A three-dimensional footprint automatic measurement apparatus was used to measure the hallux valgus angle in the standing position and the arch-height ratio and heel-floor angle (HFA) in the standing and chair-sitting positions. The amount of change in foot morphology owing to differences in posture was calculated. The range of motion of the ankle joint dorsiflexion, plantarflexion, inversion, and eversion was measured. Participants were classified into two groups according to the presence of hallux valgus. Statistical analysis was used to compare hindfoot morphology and range of motion between the two groups, and the correlation between foot morphology and range of motion was investigated depending on the presence of hallux valgus., Results: With hallux valgus, the HFA tilted inwards (p = 0.010), and the change in the arch-height ratio due to the difference in posture was large (p = 0.021). There was no difference in the range of motion of the ankle joints with or without hallux valgus. In women with hallux valgus, the amount of change in arch height and HFA was correlated with the range of motion of eversion (r = 0.391, p = 0.027; r = -0.362, p = 0.042)., Conclusions: With hallux valgus, the hindfoot pronated, and the arch height decreased from sitting to standing. Furthermore, the amount of change in the hindfoot and midfoot due to posture was related to the range of motion of eversion., (© 2023. The College of Podiatry and the Australasian Podiatry Council.)

Background: Hallux valgus, lesser toe deformity, and muscle weakness of the toe flexors contribute to falls in older people. This study aimed to examine the differences in toe flexor strength and foot morphology in older people requiring long-term care due to changes in the way they mobilize in everyday life., Methods: This study included 84 people aged ≥70 years without motor paralysis who underwent rehabilitation. They were divided into those who could mobilize without a wheelchair (walking group, n = 54) and those who used a wheelchair to mobilize (wheelchair group, n = 30). The presence or absence of diseases was confirmed, and hand grip strength, toe flexor strength, and foot morphology using the foot printer were measured. The presence of diseases, hand grip strength, toe flexor strength, and foot morphology were compared between the two groups. Multiple logistic analysis was performed with wheelchair dependence as the dichotomous outcome variable, and the percentages of each strength measure observed in the wheelchair group to the average hand grip and toe flexor strength measures in the walking group were compared., Results: No significant between-group difference in foot morphology was found. The factors related to the differences in ways of ambulating in daily life were history of fracture, heart disease, and toe flexor strength. After comparing the muscle strength of the wheelchair group with the mean values of the walking group, we found that the toe flexor strength was significantly lower than the hand grip strength., Conclusions: Older people who used a wheelchair to mobilize have significantly less toe flexor strength than those who do not despite no significant difference in foot morphology. Use of a wheelchair is associated with a reduction in toe flexor strength.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.

Background: The prevalence of hallux valgus (HV) increases with age in females. Several studies have investigated the relationship between foot problems, including HV, and falls in older individuals. This study aimed to examine whether HV causes a decline in functional activity in young females and also evaluate the relationship between HV angle, functional activity, toe flexor strength, and plantar pressure., Methods: We assessed 94 females (mean age, 19.6 ± 1.3 years; mean body mass index, 21.2 ± 2.0 kg/m 2 ) not currently receiving treatment for lower limb disease. HV angle was determined using their footprint. Functional reach (FR) and maximum step length (MSL), toe flexor strength, and plantar pressure were measured. Plantar pressure was measured during walking. We also calculated FR and the pressure in eight regions (first toe, second through fifth toes, first metatarsal, second through fourth metatarsals, fifth metatarsal, midfoot, medial heel, and lateral heel)., Results: There were 39 and 55 participants in the HV and no HV groups, respectively. FR and MSL did not differ significantly between the HV and no HV groups. Toe flexor strength was significantly different between the HV and no HV groups (26.69 ± 9.68 vs. 32.19 ± 8.55, respectively) (p = 0.002, β = 0.206). During walking, plantar pressure was significantly lower in the second through fifth toes in the HV group (p = 0.005, β = 0.187). During FR, plantar pressure was significantly greater in the first metatarsal in the HV group (p = 0.016, β = 0.338). HV angle was negatively correlated with toe flexor strength (r = - 0.315, p = 0.002, β = 0.121) and plantar pressure during walking in the second through fifth toes (r = - 0.362, p < 0.001, β = 0.047), and positively correlated with plantar pressure during FR in the first metatarsal (r = 0.308, p = 0.002, β = 0.137). Toe flexor strength was negatively correlated with plantar pressure during FR in the second through fourth metatarsals (r = - 0.318, p = 0.002, β = 0.115), and there was a positive correlation with MSL (r = 0.330, p = 0.001, β = 0.092)., Conclusions: This study confirmed that HV reduces toe flexor strength and affects forefoot pressure during walking and FR in young females. Moreover, the toe flexor strength affects MSL. Efforts to prevent the onset and deterioration of HV from a young age might help reduce the risk of falling when older.