Inter-segmental foot kinematics during gait in elderly females according to the severity of hallux valgus

The objective of this study was to find the effect of hallux valgus (HV) deformity on the inter-segmental motion of the foot using an MFM with a 15-marker set (DuPont Foot Model, DuFM) in comparison with age and sex controlled healthy adults. Fifty-eight female symptomatic HV patients and 50 female asymptomatic older female volunteers were included in this study. According to the radiographic hallux valgus angle (HVA), the study population was divided into severe HV (SHV, HVA ≥ 40°, n = 25), moderate HV (MHV, 20° ≤ HVA < 40°, n = 47), and control (CON, n = 36). MHV group was divided into symptomatic MHV group (S-MHV, n = 33) and asymptomatic MHV group (A-MHV, n = 14) according to the symptoms associated with HV. For temporal parameters, gait speed and stride length were diminished according to the severity of HV deformity. Sagittal range of motion of hallux and hindfoot decreased significantly in SHV group. Loss of push-off during the preswing phase was observed and forefoot adduction motion during terminal stance was decreased in SHV group. In a subgroup analysis of MHV, asymptomatic HV minimally affects gait and inter-segmental motion during gait. HV deformity affects gait parameters and inter-segmental motion of the foot during gait in proportion to the severity of the deformity. However, the effect of MHV itself on foot kinematics might be limited while pain or arthritic change of the joint might cause changes in gait in patients with symptomatic HV.