Sato Toshihiko
Department of Physical Therapy, Bunkyo Gakuin University, Fujimino, JPN.
Cureus. 2025 Jul 13;17(7):e87859. doi: 10.7759/cureus.87859. eCollection 2025 Jul.
The foot changes shape in response to rotational motion; however, the specific nature of these changes and their relationship to hallux valgus remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between foot shape alterations due to rotational motion and the hallux valgus angle.
Foot shape in healthy adult participants was measured using a three-dimensional (3D) foot scanner. Differences in foot morphology due to rotational motion were analyzed using Dunnett's multiple comparisons method. Additionally, multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify foot shape factors associated with changes in the hallux angle.
On the rotational side, the foot arch was higher, and the hallux angle tended toward varus. In contrast, on the non-rotational side, the arch was lower, and the hallux angle tended toward valgus. The forefoot, midfoot, and medial-lateral malleolus inclination angles showed angular patterns that opposed changes in the calcaneus inclination angle. Multiple regression analysis revealed that, on the rotational side, higher forefoot height and varus displacement of the digitus minimus were associated with a more varus displacement of the hallux angle. On the non-rotational side, a lower navicular height, valgus displacement of the digitus minimus, lower forefoot height, and an everted midfoot inclination angle were associated with a more valgus displacement of the hallux angle.
Foot shape changes induced by rotational motion are influenced by the kinetic chain and weight-bearing position resulting from lower leg rotation. The hallux valgus angle appears to be modulated by both forefoot transverse height and medial longitudinal arch function. These findings may inform targeted interventions such as exercise therapy and custom insole design.
This study suggests that insoles providing support to the forefoot transverse and medial longitudinal arches may help mitigate hallux valgus progression by reducing mechanical stress on the hallux.
足部会因旋转运动而改变形状；然而，这些变化的具体性质及其与拇外翻的关系仍不清楚。在本研究中，我们旨在探讨因旋转运动导致的足部形状改变与拇外翻角度之间的关系。
使用三维（3D）足部扫描仪测量健康成年参与者的足部形状。采用邓尼特多重比较法分析因旋转运动导致的足部形态差异。此外，进行多元回归分析以确定与拇趾角度变化相关的足部形状因素。
在旋转侧，足弓较高，拇趾角度趋于内翻。相比之下，在非旋转侧，足弓较低，拇趾角度趋于外翻。前足、中足以及内外踝倾斜角呈现出与跟骨倾斜角变化相反的角度模式。多元回归分析显示，在旋转侧，较高的前足高度和小趾内翻移位与拇趾角度更大的内翻移位相关。在非旋转侧，较低的舟骨高度、小趾外翻移位、较低的前足高度以及中足外翻倾斜角与拇趾角度更大的外翻移位相关。
旋转运动引起的足部形状变化受小腿旋转产生的动力链和负重位置影响。拇外翻角度似乎受前足横向高度和内侧纵弓功能两者调节。这些发现可能为运动疗法和定制鞋垫设计等针对性干预提供依据。
本研究表明，为前足横向和内侧纵弓提供支撑的鞋垫可能通过减轻拇趾上的机械应力来帮助缓解拇外翻进展。
