Relationship between lower extremity alignment and hallux valgus in women.
BACKGROUND
Most previous studies on hallux valgus focused on the possible relationship between this deformity and muscles and/or ligaments in the foot and lower leg. Very little is known about the relationship between hallux valgus and alignment of the proximal joints. The aims of the present study were to determine the extent to which lower extremity alignment characteristics of the hip, knee, ankle, and foot were related to the manifestation of hallux valgus and to identify variables predicting its development in women.


METHODS
A group of 25 women with hallux valgus and 24 control women, age 51 to 80 years, were interviewed and screened for the current study. Measurements recorded were hallux valgus angle; intermetatarsal angle; a set of body physique measures (eg, height); range of motion at the hip, knee, ankle, and foot joints; general hypermobility; lower extremity alignment (eg, tibiofemoral angle); and 9 anatomical anomalies (eg, knee valgus/varum).


RESULTS
Women with hallux valgus manifested notably higher range of motion at their joints, different lower extremity alignment, higher prevalence of general joint hypermobility, and higher prevalence of anatomical anomalies compared with controls. Estimated marginal means for most joint range of motion and lower extremity alignment measurements were notably higher for the hallux valgus group.


CONCLUSION
Lower extremity alignment and joint range of motion were correlated with hallux valgus. Future studies could possibly identify anatomic risk factors for the development of hallux valgus, nonsurgical methods of prevention and adjunctive surgical methods of treatment.


LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
Level III, comparative case series.
['Steinberg|Nili|N|', 'Finestone|Aharon|A|', 'Noff|Matityahu|M|', 'Zeev|Aviva|A|', 'Dar|Gali|G|']
D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D016022:Case-Control Studies D016002:Discriminant Analysis D005260:Female D005413:Flatfoot D006215:Hallux Valgus D006801:Humans D007593:Joint Instability D007596:Joints D035002:Lower Extremity D008875:Middle Aged D016059:Range of Motion, Articular
hallux valgus range of motion hypermobility anatomical anomalies lower extremity morphological characteristics