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

Abstract

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.

Quality of Life Impact Related to Foot Health in a Sample of Older People with Hallux Valgus

“…Our results support these findings and expand them further by revealing a higher negative impact correlated with degree of HV severity [45]. Although, reported the domains of General Physical Health, Social Capacity and Vigor were not adversely affected when comparing people with and without HV, in our study we found significant differences in these domains when comparing the grades of severity of HV, having a negative impact with increasing the severity of the HV [45].…”

Functional Impairments Characterizing Mild, Moderate, and Severe Hallux Valgus

“…Participants attended on a single occasion and all measurements were obtained by the principal examiner. Intrarater reliability for these outcome measures was acceptable and has been reported previously (26,27).…”

“…Hallux plantar flexion and abduction strength was evaluated using 50 kg load cells (GK 2126-50, Gedge Systems) mounted in a custom-built frame. This testing protocol has been previously described (26). While seated with the knee in…”

Caracterização dos problemas relacionados aos pés de idosos de uma comunidade em município do interior do Estado de São Paulo

“…7 A presença de hálux valgo, comumente conhecido como joanete, presente em 20% dos idosos do estudo, leva tanto à instabilidade estrutural como à postural. 7,25 Na correlação do pé geriátrico com requisitos cinético-funcionais de idosos que frequentavam um ambulatório de geriatria, constatou-se que todos eles apresentavam algum grau de hálux valgo, porém nenhum em grau grave. 4 Foi encontrada também forte correlação entre deformidades nos pés e a perda da habilidade funcional em idosos.…”