Effect by custom-made foot orthoses with added support under the first metatarso-phalangeal joint in hallux limitus patients: Improving on first metatarso-phalangeal joint extension.

BACKGROUND: Hallux limitus is one of the most common disorders affecting foot biomechanics. Custom-made foot orthoses can improve the function of the first metatarso-phalangeal joint. OBJECTIVES: The objective underlying this study was to test whether custom-made foot orthoses increased the range of mobility of metatarso-phalangeal joint in patients with hallux limitus. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, double-blinded, and clinical trial. METHODS: The study consisted of 20 participants (40 feet) diagnosed with hallux limitus. A control group and an experimental group both wore the same custom-made foot orthoses and, in the experimental group, a support element under the first metatarso-phalangeal joint was added to the orthoses. Two measurements were made with both groups: the relaxed position of the first metatarso-phalangeal joint and the maximum extension of the hallux. These measurements were made before first placing the foot orthoses and 6 months after application of the treatment. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the results showed an improvement of 4.5° in the relaxed position and 22.2° in the maximum extension being statistically significant (p < 0.001) for both measurements. CONCLUSION: Custom-made foot orthoses with added support under the first metatarso-phalangeal joint were proved to be an effective treatment to restore functionality of this joint in hallux limitus patients. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Limitation of hallux movement in the joints propulsive phase of gait negatively affects the biomechanics of the lower extremity, causing changes in the rest of the joins. The use of foot orthoses designed in this study restores range of motion of the first metatarso-phalangeal joint.

Dynamic splinting for postoperative hallux limitus: a randomized, controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Hallux limitus (HL) is a pathology of degenerative arthritis in the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MTJ) of the great toe. Chief complaints of HL include inflammation, edema, pain, and reduced flexibility. The onset of HL commonly occurs after one of the two most common surgical procedures for foot pathologies, a bunionectomy or a cheilectomy. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of dynamic splinting in treating patients with postoperative hallux limitus, in a randomized, controlled trial. METHODS: Fifty patients (ages 29 to 69) were enrolled after diagnosis of HL following surgery. The duration of this study was eight weeks, and all patients received nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, orthotics, and instructions for a home exercise program. Experimental patients were also treated with dynamic splinting for first MTJ extension (60 minutes, three times per day). The dependent variable was change in active range of motion (AROM). A repeated measures analysis of variance was used with independent variables of patient categories, surgical procedure (cheilectomy vs. bunionectomy) and duration since surgery. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in change of AROM for experimental vs. control patients (P < 0.001, T = 4.224, N = 48); there was also a significant difference for patient treated within 2 months of surgery (P = 0.0221). CONCLUSIONS: Dynamic splinting was effective in reducing contracture of postoperative hallux limitus in this study; experimental patients gained a mean 250% improvement in AROM. This modality should be considered for standard of care in treating postoperative hallux limitus.

The cheilectomy and its modifications.

Hallux rigidus occurs in 10% of persons aged 20 to 34 years but in as much as 44% of people older than 80 years. Surgical intervention has been suggested for cases of hallux rigidus that have failed using conservative methods. The modified cheilectomy is considered by many the first-line treatment for this disease, given the procedure's inherent ability to eliminate degenerate bone and cartilage and decompress the intra-articular space, while sparing considerable cubic content of bone. Once the cheilectomy has been performed, there remains a sufficient volume of bone to perform a more definitive reconstruction if necessary.

The relationship between hallux dorsiflexion and ankle joint complex frontal plane kinematics: a preliminary study.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that the function of the first metatarsophalangeal joint may be related to the motion of the ankle joint complex. OBJECTIVE: This study explored the relationship between ankle joint complex and first metatarsophalangeal joint motion during gait in a group of 14 who demonstrated clinically limited passive hallux dorsiflexion in quiet standing (cases), and 15 matched controls. METHOD: An electromagnetic tracking system was used to measure the ankle joint complex frontal plane motion and first metatarsophalangeal joint sagittal plane motion during gait, in both cases and controls. The case group was then evaluated further to investigate the effect of an orthosis on first metatarsophalangeal joint motion. FINDINGS: The correlation between maximum ankle joint complex eversion and maximum first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion during gait was r=0.471. Within the case group, maximum rearfoot eversion was reduced following the application of the orthoses, but there was no change in sagittal first metatarsophalangeal joint rotations. INTERPRETATION: The relationship between maximum ankle joint complex eversion and first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion kinematics found in this study was moderate, and decreasing maximum ankle joint complex eversion with an orthosis did not result in any increase in first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion during gait in patients with functional first metatarsophalangeal joint limitation. These results do not support the assumption that ankle joint complex eversion influences first metatarsophalangeal joint motion substantially.

The effect of sesamoid mobilization, flexor hallucis strengthening, and gait training on reducing pain and restoring function in individuals with hallux limitus: a clinical trial.

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical trial. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of 2 conservative intervention approaches for functional hallux limitus. BACKGROUND: Metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ) sprains are common and can result in long-term sequelae such as persistent pain and loss of range of motion (ROM) secondary to bony proliferation and articular degeneration. It is important to determine the most effective intervention for functional hallux limitus to decrease pain and restore function. METHODS AND MEASURES: Twenty individuals with first MPJ pain, loss of motion, and weakness participated in the study. All patients received whirlpool, ultrasound, first MPJ mobilizations, calf and hamstring stretching, marble pick-up exercise, cold packs, and electrical stimulation. Ten of the 20 patients (experimental group) also received sesamoid mobilizations, flexor hallucis strengthening exercises, and gait training. Treatment was provided 3 times a week for 4 weeks. Measurements of first MPJ extension ROM, flexor hallucis strength, and subjective pain level were performed on the first and last visits. RESULTS: Following the 12 therapy sessions, the experimental group achieved significantly greater MPJ extension ROM and flexor hallucis strength and had significantly lower pain levels as compared to the control group (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that sesamoid mobilization, flexor hallucis strengthening, and gait training should be included in the plan of care when treating an individual with functional hallux limitus.

A retrospective analysis of 772 patients with hallux limitus.

In this retrospective analysis of 772 patients with symptomatic hallux limitus, 428 patients (55%) were successfully treated with conservative care alone; of these 428 patients, 362 (84%) were treated with orthoses. Corticosteroid injections and a change in shoes allowed 24 patients (6% of conservatively treated patients) and 42 patients (10%), respectively, to have less discomfort and return to previous activity levels. Overall, 47% of the patients in this analysis were successfully treated with orthoses. Surgical procedures were performed on 296 patients (38% of all patients) who did not respond to conservative care. In this analysis, 48 of the patients (6% of all patients) who did not respond to conservative care either refused surgery or were not surgical candidates. These data are intended to provide podiatric physicians with expected outcomes for conservative care of hallux limitus. The etiology, symptoms, conservative management, and surgical treatments of hallux limitus and hallux rigidus are also reviewed.