Lower limb kinematic changes during gait after hallux valgus surgery: A prospective observational study

Abstract

Background: Patients with hallux valgus are known to alter lower limb joint kinematics during gait. However, little information is available about gait changes following hallux valgus surgery. We aimed to longitudinally investigate lower limb kinematic changes at the mid and terminal stances of gait after hallux valgus surgery.

Methods: This prospective observational study included 11 female patients (17 feet), who underwent first metatarsal osteotomy. Gait analyses were performed preoperatively and 1- and 2-year postoperatively using a three-dimensional motion capture system. Toe-out angle, ankle, knee, and hip joint angles during gait were calculated from the recorded data. The spatiotemporal parameters and these angles at the mid and terminal stances of gait were statistically compared between preoperative and postoperative periods.

Findings: All spatiotemporal parameters remained unchanged postoperatively. The toe-out angle was significantly greater at 1- and 2-year postoperatively. The ankle pronation angle, the knee abduction angle, and the hip adduction angle at the mid and terminal stances of gait were smaller postoperatively compared to the preoperative. These angular changes showed a similar trend at 1 and 2 years postoperatively. However, the postoperative changes of the sagittal joint angles were relatively small.

Interpretation: Hallux valgus surgery can affect the toe-out angle and the lower limb coronal kinematics at the mid and terminal stances of gait in patients with hallux valgus. However, surgical correction of hallux valgus deformity did not directly improve the gait characteristics in patients with hallux valgus.

Keywords: Gait; Hallux valgus; Kinematics; Motion analysis; Surgery.