Search

Background The hallux dorsiflexion resistance test is a frequently employed clinical maneuver for assessing the ini tiation of the windlass mechanism This maneuver involves dorsiflexion of the phalanx of the hallux, thereby evaluat ing plantarflexion of the first metatarsal, elevation of the medial longitudinal arch, and supination of the rearfoot. The windlass mechanism plays a crucial role in gait, and orthopedic devices, such as a kinetic wedge, which aims to facilitate its activation by increasing the hallux dorsiflexion. Although it is believed that facilitating the windlass mechanism with the kinetic wedge should be directly correlated with a decrease in hallux dorsiflexion resistance, its effects have yet to be characterized. Thus, this study aimed to determine the influence of a kinetic wedge on hallux dorsiflexion resistance in asymptomatic individuals. Methods The sample comprised thirty participants (14 women and 16 men). A digital force gauge measured the force required to perform the hallux dorsiflexion resistance test during two conditions: barefoot and with a kinetic wedge. The Wilcoxon signed‑rank test was used to compare the hallux dorsiflexion resistance between conditions. Results A statistically significant reduction in force (10.54 ± 3.16N vs. 19.62 ± 5.18N, p < 0.001) was observed when using the kinetic wedge compared to the barefoot condition during the hallux dorsiflexion resistance test. Conclusion The use of a kinetic wedge reduces the required force for performing the passive hallux dorsiflexion resistance test in asymptomatic individuals. Future studies should determine to what extent the kinetic wedge can attenuate the required force to dorsiflex the hallux in individuals with musculoskeletal disorders such as plantar fascio pathy and functional hallux limitus.

Background: The rearfoot varus wedge (RVW) is a common treatment for foot pain and valgus deformity. There is research on its effects in the calcaneus, but there is little research on the navicular. More research is needed with the use of RVW due to the relationship that exists between the position of the navicular and the risk of suffering an injury. Objectives: this study sought to understand how RVW can influence the kinematics of the navicular bone, measuring their movement with the 6 SpaceFastrak system. Methods: a total of 60 subjects participated in the study. Two sensors were used to measure the movement of the calcaneus and navicular using RVWs as compared in the barefoot position in a static way. Results: there were statistically significant differences, the use of RVWs caused changes in the navicular bone, with subjects reaching the maximum varus movement with the use of RVW 7 mm of 1.35 ± 2.41° (p < 0.001), the maximum plantar movement flexion with the use of RVW 10 mm of 3.93 ± 4.44° (p < 0.001). Conclusions: when RVWs were placed under the calcaneus bone, the navicular bone response was in varus movement too; thus, the use of rearfoot varus wedge can influence the movement of the navicular bone., Sección Deptal. de Radiología, Rehabilitación y Fisioterapia (Enfermería), Fac. de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, TRUE, pub

The lateral wedge insole (LWI) is a typical orthopedic treatment for medial knee osteoarthritis pain, chronic ankle instability, and peroneal tendon disorders. It is still unknown what the effects are in the most important joints of the foot when using LWIs as a treatment for knee and ankle pathologies. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the influence of LWIs on the position of the midfoot and rearfoot joints by measuring the changes using a tracking device. Methods: The study was carried out with a total of 69 subjects. Movement measurements for the midfoot were made on the navicular bone, and for the rearfoot on the calcaneus bone. The Polhemus system was used, with two motion sensors fixed to each bone. Subjects were compared by having them use LWIs versus being barefoot. Results: There were statistically significant differences in the varus movement when wearing a 4 mm LWI (1.23 ± 2.08°, p < 0.001) versus the barefoot condition (0.35 ± 0.95°), and in the plantarflexion movement when wearing a 4 mm LWI (3.02 ± 4.58°, p < 0.001) versus the barefoot condition (0.68 ± 1.34°), in the midfoot. There were also statistically significant differences in the valgus movement when wearing a 7 mm LWI (1.74 ± 2.61°, p < 0.001) versus the barefoot condition (0.40 ± 0.90°), and in the plantar flexion movement when wearing a 4 mm LWI (2.88 ± 4.31°, p < 0.001) versus the barefoot condition (0.35 ± 0.90°), in the rearfoot. Conclusions: In the navicular bone, a varus, an abduction, and plantar flexion movements were generated. In the calcaneus, a valgus, an adduction, and plantar flexion movements were generated with the use of LWIs., Sección Deptal. de Radiología, Rehabilitación y Fisioterapia (Enfermería), Fac. de Enfermería, Fisioterapia y Podología, TRUE, pub