Ankle and first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion in children with clubfoot

It has been hypothesised that the stiffness of the plantar aponeurosis afte r clubfoot surgery affects push-off. Because the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint motion relies on the plantar aponeurosis, it was important to d etermine whether there was a lack of first MTP joint motion in children wit h clubfoot that also affected push-off. By examining the motion of the firs t MTP joint using a motion analysis system and passive motion techniques, t hen correlating these with gait characteristics, the authors found that the first MTP joint was not affected in children with clubfoot. The authors fo und that a motion analysis system could be used to determine range of motio n accurately.