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Soft tissue thickness under the metatarsal heads is reduced in older people with toe deformities
Author(s) -
Mickle Karen J.,
Munro Bridget J.,
Lord Stephen R.,
Menz Hylton B.,
Steele Julie R.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of orthopaedic research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 1554-527X
pISSN - 0736-0266
DOI - 10.1002/jor.21328
Subject(s) - valgus , medicine , first metatarsal , heel , metatarsal bones , foot (prosody) , orthodontics , soft tissue , toe , anatomy , surgery , physics , thermodynamics , linguistics , philosophy
The purpose of this study was to determine whether thickness of the plantar soft tissue (ST) under the metatarsal heads (MTH) differed between older individuals with and without toe deformities. Non‐weightbearing total ST and fat pad (FP) thickness at the heel, 1st metatarsal head (1MTH) and 5th metatarsal head (5MTH) were measured using ultrasound in 312 men and women aged over 60 years. Each participant had their feet assessed for the presence of hallux valgus or lesser toe deformities. Total ST and FP thicknesses in those with hallux valgus ( n = 36) or lesser toe deformities ( n = 72) were compared to gender‐, age‐ and BMI‐matched controls using independent t ‐tests. Individuals with hallux valgus had significantly reduced total ST thickness under 1MTH compared to controls (7.4 ± 1.6 mm vs. 8.5 ± 1.5 mm; p = 0.002). Similarly, individuals with lesser toe deformities displayed significantly reduced total ST thickness under 5MTH compared to controls (5.1 ± 1.0 mm vs. 5.5 ± 1.3 mm; p = 0.01). As FP thickness did not differ between cases and controls, we speculate that the musculotendinous complex is compromised, and may result in reduced toe function in those with toe deformities. © 2011 Orthopaedic Research Society Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 29: 1042–1046, 2011