ORTHOPEDIC AREA   

Medicina dello Sport 2008 December;61(4):497-506

Copyright © 2008 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English, Italian

Hallux valgus and static and dynamic postural compensation in elderly active population

Nerozzi E. ¹, Tentoni C. ²

¹ Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy 2 Department of Theory and Methodology of the Human Movement Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

Aim. The aim of this study was to compare the differences between the projection of the distribution of body weight on the feet and the stabilometric evaluation in female participants aged between 65 to 75 years with normal feet (N) and with a permanent dislocation of hallux, with an angle >10°, generally called Hallux Valgus (HV) .
Methods. An electronic baropodometer for static, dynamic, stabilometric evaluation and a goniometer for measuring the angle of the 1st metatarsal joint in both feet on a population of elderly practising gymnastic (100 female subjects ranging from 65 to 75 years old) were used. Patients were asked to walk at normal speed and stand in static position barefoot on the active sensors surface. For this pilot study 24 subjects were selected: 7 with normal feet and 17 with pathology (5 with HV in both feet, 7 with HV >10° in the left foot and a normal right foot, 5 with HV >10° in the right foot and a normal left foot).
Results. The tests showed that 52% of total elderly tested had a permanent lateral dislocation of the 1st metatarsal joint. Body weight distribution on hallux area (D) is always greater in HV subjects tested and step length resulted longer compared to N, while stabilometric data are smaller.
Conclusion. This imbalance involves a progressive accentuation of this paramorfism and a possible contraction of miofascial chain of the legs used in postural control determining a hypohemoising and venus pumping factors.