Article

Older people with toe deformities have been identified as having an increased
risk of falling. Little is known, however, about the biomechanical changes that
might contribute to this increased risk. Therefore, the purpose of this study was
to determine whether older people with hallux valgus and lesser toe deformities
displayed different gait, balance and plantar pressure characteristics compared
to individuals without toe deformities. The presence of hallux valgus and lesser
toe deformities were assessed for 312 community-dwelling older men and women.
Spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured using the GAITrite((R)) system,
postural sway was assessed on two surfaces using a sway-meter and dynamic plantar
pressure distribution was measured using an Emed-AT4 pressure plate. The results
indicated that, although there were no effects of toe deformities on
spatiotemporal gait characteristics or postural sway, older people with hallux
valgus (n=36) and lesser toe deformities (n=71) were found to display altered
forefoot plantar pressure patterns. These findings suggest that toe deformities
alter weight distribution under the foot when walking, but that the relationship
between toe deformities and falls may be mediated by factors other than changes
in spatiotemporal gait parameters or impaired postural sway.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS