Background: Compensatory motion of foot joints in hallux rigidus (HR) are not fully known. This study aimed to clarify the kinematic compensation within the foot and to detect whether this affects plantar pressure distribution.
Methods: Gait characteristics were assessed in 16 patients (16 feet) with HR and compared with 15 healthy controls (30 feet) with three-dimensional gait analysis by using the multi-segment Oxford Foot Model, measuring spatio-temporal parameters, joint kinematics and plantar pressure.
Results: HR subjects showed less hallux plantar flexion during midstance and less hallux dorsiflexion during push-off, while increased forefoot supination was detected during push-off. No significant differences in plantar pressure were detected. Step length was significantly smaller in HR subjects, while gait velocity was comparable between groups.
Conclusions: HR significantly affects sagittal hallux motion, and the forefoot compensates by an increased supination during push-off. Despite this kinematic compensatory mechanism, no significant differences in plantar loading were detected.
Keywords: First metatarsophalangeal joint; Hallux rigidus; Kinematics; Multisegmental foot model; Plantar pressure.
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