Muscle synergy and kinematic synergy analyses during sit-to-stand motions in hallux valgus patients before and after treatment with Kinesio taping.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the impact of hallux valgus (HV) on lower limb neuromuscular control strategies during the sit-to-stand (STS) movement, and to evaluate the effects of Kinesio taping (KT) intervention on these control strategies in HV patients. METHODS: We included 14 young healthy controls (HY), 13 patients in the HV group (HV), and 11 patients in the HV group (HVI) who underwent a Kinesio taping (KT) intervention during sit-to-stand (STS) motions. We extracted muscle and kinematic synergies from EMG and motion capture data using non-negative matrix factorization (NNMF). In addition, we calculated the center of pressure (COP) and ground reaction forces (GRF) to assess balance performance. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the numbers of muscle and kinematic synergies between groups. In the HV group, knee flexors and ankle plantar flexors were abnormally activated, and muscle synergy D was differentiated. Muscle synergy D was not differentiated in the HVI group. CONCLUSION: Abnormal activation of knee flexors and plantar flexors led to the differentiation of module D in HV patients, which can be used as an indicator of the progress of HV rehabilitation. KT intervention improved motor control mechanisms in HV patients.

Effectiveness of footwear and foot orthoses in reducing medial metatarsophalangeal joint pressure in women with hallux valgus.

BACKGROUND: Hallux valgus is a common condition where the subluxation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and lateral deviation of the hallux at the interphalangeal joint creates difficulty with footwear fit. Footwear and foot orthoses are commonly prescribed nonsurgical treatments for hallux valgus. RESEARCH QUESTION: Do extra-width footwear and foot orthoses influence peak pressure at the medial aspect of the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints in women with hallux valgus? METHODS: Community-dwelling women with symptomatic hallux valgus underwent gait testing when wearing their own shoes and when wearing extra-width footwear fitted with three-quarter length, arch-contouring prefabricated foot orthoses. Peak pressure (kPa) on the medial aspect of the metatarsophalangeal and medial interphalangeal joints and on the plantar surface of the foot (hallux, lesser toes, metatarsophalangeal joint 1, metatarsophalangeal joints 2-5, midfoot and heel) were measured using the novel pedar®-X system with the pedar® pad and pedar® insole, respectively (Novel, GmbH, Munich, Germany). Paired samples t-tests were used to calculate the differences between the two conditions, and the magnitude of observed differences was calculated using Cohen's d. RESULTS: We tested 28 participants (aged 44-80 years, mean 60.7, standard deviation 10.7). Compared to their own footwear, wearing the intervention footwear and orthoses was associated with a statistically significant decrease in pressure on the medial aspect of the metatarsophalangeal joint (58.3 ± 32.8 versus 42.6 ± 32.8, p=0.026, d=0.49), increased pressure under the midfoot (70.7 ± 25.7 versus 78.7 ± 23.6, p=0.029, d=0.33) and decreased pressure underneath the heel (137.3 ± 39.0 versus 121.3 ± 34.8, p=0.019, d=0.45). SIGNIFICANCE: The intervention footwear and orthoses significantly decreased peak pressure on the medial aspect of the first metatarsophalangeal joint but had no significant effect on the interphalangeal joint. Further studies are required to determine whether these changes are associated with improvements in symptoms associated with hallux valgus.

Protocol: a randomized parallel-group study of women after hallux valgus correction surgery to compare the effects of "core foot system" training vs. traditional rehabilitation methods.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the effects of Core Foot System muscle training vs. traditional rehabilitation methods in female patients after a hallux valgus correction surgery. Methods: The project will involve 60 women who have undergone a Scarf osteotomy to correct the deformity. Participants will be divided into a control and experimental group. The experimental group will follow the Core Foot System protocol, whereas the control group will perform standard lower-limb exercises. Outcome measures will be collected twice: before the intervention and after eight weeks. Gait will be assessed using the Zebris FDM-2 platform, measuring ground reaction forces during walking. Results: The effects of the exercises on the cross-sectional area of the abductor hallucis muscle and the flexor digitorum brevis muscle will be measured. Foot architecture and arch height will be measured using a podoscope. In addition, the participants will complete the Short Form Health Survey and the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society questionnaires. Conclusions: The study is expected to provide evidence of the effectiveness of foot muscle training using the protocol. The findings may lead to an improved protocol of rehabilitation in patients after a correction surgery that may result in improved gait parameters and quality of daily life. In the future, an improved therapeutic method should make it possible to boost the effectiveness of physiotherapy in patients after a corrective surgery in the forefoot area. The study has been registered with clinicaltrials.org (NCT05210127; 13 January 2022).

Osteotomia em Chevron modificada: análise preliminar do comportamento baropodométrico / Modified Chevron osteotomy: preliminary analysis of baropodometric behavior

OBJETIVO: Avaliar as características clínicas e baropodométricas da marcha de indivíduos com Hálux Valgo após a osteotomia em Chevron modificada, isolada ou em associação com a osteotomia de Weil. MÉTODOS: FORAM avaliados, antes e três meses após a cirurgia, 27 pés com deformidade leve e moderada. A avaliação clínica incluiu a pontuação da AOFAS e medidas radiográficas. A avaliação baropodométrica foi realizada através da Plataforma Emed-at. As variáveis Pico de Pressão, Integral Pressão-Tempo e Carga Relativa foram calculadas em 10 regiões: calcanhar, mediopé, 1-5º metatársicos, hálux, 2º, 3-5º dedos. RESULTADOS: Após a cirurgia houve aumento na pontuação da AOFAS e redução dos parâmetros radiográficos. A avaliação baropodométrica, após osteotomia em Chevron isolada, demonstrou redução da pressão e da força sob o 1º metatársico e hálux, assim como, aumento dessas variáveis nos metatársicos centrais e laterais. Após a osteotomia em Chevron/Weil ocorreram alterações significativas apenas na região do hálux e dos dedos. CONCLUSÃO: Em curto prazo, a técnica em Chevron modificada promoveu melhora das condições clínicas e dos parâmetros radiográficos. Em relação a avaliação baropodométrica constatou-se uma transferência de cargas da região medial para lateral do antepé, possivelmente pelo curto período de pós-operatório.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and baropodometric characteristics of the gaits of individuals with a hallux valgus deformity after modified Chevron osteotomy, in isolation or in association with the Weil osteotomy. METHODS: Foot evaluation happened before and three months after surgery analyzing 27 mildly and moderately deformed feet. The clinical evaluation included the AOFAS score and radiographic measurements. The baropodometric evaluation was done with the Emed-at platform. Peak of Pressure, Pressure-Time Integral and Relative Load were calculated in 10 different regions of the feet: calcaneous, midfoot, first to fifth metatarsal regions, hallux, second and third to fifth toes. RESULTS: After the surgical procedure, an increase in AOFAS scores and a decrease of radiographic parameters were seen. The baropodometric evaluation, after isolated Chevron osteotomy, showed a reduction in pressure and strength under the first metatarsal and hallux, as well as an increase in the same variables on central and lateral metatarsals. After Chevron/Weil osteotomy significant alterations had only occurred in the region of the hallux and toes. CONCLUSION: In the short-term, the modified Chevron technique promoted improvements in clinical conditions and radiographic parameters. The baropodometric evaluation evidenced a load transference from medial to lateral regions of the forefoot, possibly due to the short postoperative period.

Tratamiento del hallux valgus con minifijadores externos RALCA: técnica original / Treatment of hallux valgus with external minifixators RALCA: original technique

Se realizó un estudio de los resultados obtenidos en 30 pacientes con hallux valgus bilateral, que fueron tratados con una novedosa técnica quirúrgica original, en la que se empleó el minifijador externo del profesor Alvarez Cambras (RALCA) y un calzado rehabilitador que permite una deambulación precoz. Las complicaciones fueron mínimas, el índice de recidivas fue bajo y los resultados sumamente alentadores

Osteotomía distal tipo Reverdin modificado del primer metatarsiano en el tratamiento de hallux valgus / Modified distal osteotomy Reverdin type of the first metatarsal in the treatment of hallux valgus

Se analiza el mecanismo patológico de la deformación del hallux valgus y el efecto mecánico permanente que logra la osteotomía tipo Reverdin sobre la deformación al conseguir el alineamiento del primer metatarsiano y del dedo grueso y conservar la articulación metatarsofalángica en máxima desviación lateral. Se informa de 13 pies operados con la técnica descrita y se analizan los resultados con un seguimiento promedio de 36 meses, con máximo de 96 y mínimo de siete. Todos los enfermos tuvieron una corrección muy satisfactorial. Cuatro de los 13 consiguieron el cierre progresivo del primer espacion intermetatarsiano. El alineamiento metatarsofalángico tuvo un promedio de corrección de 19 grados; el del ángulo cuneo-metatarsiano fue de 5 grados en 12 de los 13 pacientes. El índice de Piggott pasó de tres congruentes antes de la cirugía a ocho después de ella, y de cinco subluxados antes de la cirugía, a uno después de ella. Se confirma la hipótesis de trabajo.