Background: Hallux valgus, one of the most common foot disorders, contributes to the formation of pain and changes foot biomechanics.
Objective: To assess the impact of Kinesiology Taping (KT) on foot loading during gait in patients with hallux valgus.
Methods: Forty feet with hallux valgus were examined. Patients wore the KT for a month and the parameters of the foot during gait on a baropodometric platform were measured three times: before taping, immediately after application of taping and after one month's use.
Results: The taping had a statistically significant effect on dynamic foot measurements. The maximum and mean foot load (p< 0.001), foot surface (p< 0.001), ratio of forefoot to hindfoot load (p< 0.01) and the proportions of the lateral and medial foot loading (p< 0.05) all changed. During gait cycle, taping significantly increased the load and surface at the first metatarsal head (p< 0.001) while there was a decrease around the second to fifth (p< 0.001) metatarsal heads.
Conclusions: Using KT to correct a hallux valgus is a procedure that has an impact on the dynamic parameters of the foot during gait. The use of this method could become an alternative to surgical treatment for those patients, who have any contraindication for surgery.
Keywords: Hallux valgus; Kinesiology Taping; biomechanics of foot; gait.