The foot in ballet dancers: the importance of second toe length

The interactions between agonist-to-antagonist muscle strength performance and plantar pressure distribution, foot contact area, and impulse in novice ballet dancers

BACKGROUND

Hip, trunk, knee, and ankle/foot muscles may lead to increased variability in the components of balance and plantar pressure distribution (PPD) analysis. However, the role of these muscle groups in the PPD of different ballet techniques in novice ballet dancers has not previously been studied.

OBJECTIVE

Our objective was to examine whether balance and PPD vary among five different ballet techniques and correlate with the agonist-to-antagonist strength performance of trunk, knee, hip, and ankle muscles in adolescent ballet dancers.

METHODS

The anthropometric parameters, muscle strength performance, balance, and PPD of sixty healthy female ballet dancers (age: 14.36 ± 2.18 y) were measured at 48-h intervals.

RESULTS

The forefoot's PPD was significantly greater than the midfoot and rearfoot for all techniques (p= 0.000). The percent plantar load of forefoot during développé à la seconde (side, front, back), passé, and penché was greater than midfoot (166.56%, 161.51%, 168.11%, 165.14%, 174.04%) and rearfoot (47.75%, 32.84%, 43.83%, 48.73%, 49.66) for all techniques, respectively. The forefoot's PPD, impulse, and contact area during all techniques were significantly correlated with the trunk muscle strength ratio (p< 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Ballet dancers with higher trunk muscle strength imbalance showed a greater percentage difference in pressure load between the left and right foot in the anterior and posterior directions, poor balance, aggravated trunk imbalance, increased PPD, contact area, and impulse in the forefoot during each technique.

Nonunion of a Stress Fracture at the Base of the Second Metatarsal in a Soccer Player Treated by Osteosynthesis with the Bridging Plate Fixation Technique

Background

A stress fracture of the second metatarsal base in soccer players is extremely rare. In this case study, we report a nonunion of a stress fracture at the base of the second metatarsal in a female soccer player who had persistent pain despite continued conservative treatment, who then was treated with the bridging plate fixation technique. Case Report. A 19-year-old female college soccer player complained of pain on the dorsum of her right midfoot during a game without history of trauma and was conservatively treated for 6 months. Radiographic examination showed an oblique fracture with small bone fragment at the proximal base of the second metatarsal and computed tomography demonstrated sclerotic change around the fracture site. We diagnosed her with nonunion of a stress fracture at the base of the second metatarsal and performed operative treatments using autogenous cancellous iliac bone grafting and plate fixation bridging a second metatarsal and medial cuneiform with a locking plate. At 4 months after the initial surgery, she was able to return to playing soccer at preinjury level without complications or pain.

Conclusion

We report a rare case of nonunion of a stress fracture at the base of the second metatarsal in a female soccer player without underlying diseases. Surgical treatment was applied, because the conservative treatment was ineffective for 6 months and led to nonunion. The plate fixation technique bridging the second metatarsal and medial cuneiform was a useful option to attain the bone fusion for small fracture fragment for a treatment of nonunion of a stress fracture at the base of the second metatarsal.

Readiness for Dancing En Pointe

Advancing to pointe requires sufficient maturity, strength, and flexibility and adequate ballet training to develop the skills which usually occurs between the ages 11 and 13. Health practitioners can provide studios with an objective assessment to determine if a young dancer is ready to transition to en pointe. The evaluator should be proficient in ballet, because the evaluation largely is dance based and includes a history and physical examination as well as a comprehensive assessment. The plan includes health improvement tips and summarizes technique flaws as well as exercises to improve these and other deficits. The goal is to transition dancers safely to pointe.

Intra-observer reliability for measuring first and second toe and metatarsal protrusion distance using palpation-based tests: a test-retest study

BACKGROUND

Measurement of first and second metatarsal and toe protrusion is frequently used to explain foot problems using x-rays, osteological measurements or palpation-based tests. Length differences could be related to the appearance of problems in the foot. A test-retest design was conducted in order to establish the intra-rater reliability of three palpation-based tests.

METHODS

202 feet of physical therapy students and teachers of the CEU San Pablo University of Madrid, 39 men and 62 women, were measured using three different tests. Data were analysed using SPSS version 15.0. Mean, SD and 95% CI were calculated for each variable. A normal distribution of quantitative data was assessed using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. The test-retest intra-rater reliability was assessed using an Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). The Standard Error Mean (SEM) and the Minimal Detectable Change (MDC) were also obtained.

RESULTS

All the ICC values showed a high degree of reliability (Test 1 = 0.97, Test 2 = 0.86 and Test 3 = 0.88) as did the SEM (Test 1 = 0.07, Test 2 = 0.10 and Test 3 = 0.11) and the MDC (Test 1 = 0.21, Test 2 = 0.30 and Test 3 = 0.31).

CONCLUSIONS

Reliability of measuring first and second metatarsal and toe protrusion using the three palpation-based tests showed a high degree of reliability.

Hallux rigidus: a cross-sectional study to evaluate clinical parameters

BACKGROUND

Hallux rigidus (HR) is a common condition with history and physical examination used to help evaluate pathology, grade clinical changes and to inform treatment.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was undertaken to evaluate the demographics of and clinical parameters encountered in HR. In 110 subjects (180 feet) aged 18-70 years (mean 52 years) a standardized history and physical examination was undertaken. Clinical parameters associated with HR were evaluated. The Foot Health Status Questionnaire (FHSQ) was used to measure health-related quality-of-life dimensions.

RESULTS

Seventy (64%) subjects had bilateral HR and 73 (66%) were female. Mean HR onset was 44 (14-68 years) years and median HR duration 6 years (1-33 years). A history of 1st MTPJ trauma presented in 22% of subjects; 74% of whom had unilateral HR. Eighty-four (47%) feet had pes planus based on a positive Foot Posture Index. A correlation between pes planus and 1st MTPJ pain was found (r=0.84, p=0.05). In 74% of feet, hallux abductus interphalangeus angle (HAI degrees ) was greater than normal (< or =10 degrees ). A correlation between HAI and reduced 1st MTPJ ROM was found (r=0.92, p=0.05). Second toe length was the same as the hallux in 111 feet (62%). A correlation between valgus hallucal rotation and 1st MTP joint pain in HR was found (r=.78, p=.05). A positive relationship was found between 2nd toe length and 1st MTPJ pain (p=0.001<0.05). A correlation between hallucal interphalangeal joint (IPJ) hyperextension and 1st MTPJ pain was found (r=0.78, p=0.01). A positive relationship was found between lesser MTPJ pain and supination at propulsion (p<0.001). There was no evidence of Achilles tendon contracture. The FHSQ results concur with clinical findings.

CONCLUSIONS

HR was associated with female gender, bilateral involvement, older age groups, increased HAI degrees, 2nd toe length similar to hallux, hallucal IPJ hyperextension, lesser MTP joint pain, flat foot and certain gait alterations. HR was not associated with Achilles tendon tightness or footwear. The content validity of clinical parameters of HR needs to be established by formal research prior to their inclusion in a classification of HR.

The influence of second toe and metatarsal length on stress fractures at the base of the second metatarsal in classical dancers

BACKGROUND

Stress fractures at the base of the second metatarsal frequently occur in female classical dancers. There is a strong belief that a foot shape in which the first metatarsal or toe is shorter than the second metatarsal or toe increases the risk of this injury in dancers. However, there is a lack of empirical evidence to support this theory. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of the relative length difference between the first and second metatarsals and first and second toes on the frequency of stress fractures at the base of the second metatarsal in elite, female classical dancers.

METHODS

Both feet of 50 elite female classical dancers were measured for length differences between the first and second toes and first and second metatarsals. Retrospective analysis of dancers' medical histories revealed 17 feet with stress injury and 83 without. The mean of the difference between the metatarsal and toe length for the stress-injury group was compared to that of the control group.

RESULTS

No difference between the groups was identified for first and second toe length difference (p = 0.865) and the relative difference between the ends of the first two metatarsals (p = 0.815).

CONCLUSIONS

Dancers who had a stress injury at the base of the second metatarsal displayed similar variances in the two independent variables as dancers who had not had such an injury.

Central metatarsal head-neck osteotomies: indications and operative techniques

The author presents the history and indications of various central metatarsal head-neck osteotomies with special emphasis on the radiographic assessment, vascular supply, and regional anatomy. The surgical techniques described include (1) minimal incision osteotomy; (2) Weil metatarsal osteotomy and various modifications; and (3) a novel "telescoping" osteotomy. Ancillary soft-tissue and osseous digital procedures as well as the prevention and management of potential complications are presented in detail.

Predicting articular erosion in hallux valgus: clinical, radiographic, and intraoperative analysis

The authors present a prospective intraoperative evaluation of the articular wear pattern of the first metatarsal, tibial and fibular sesamoids, and base of the proximal phalanx of 166 feet undergoing hallux valgus surgery. The collected data were compared with various clinical parameters and radiographic measurements to determine if any of these variables can predict the incidence and location of articular erosion. The incidence and predictability of the location of the articular erosion increased significantly as the patient's age ( P = .000), intermetatarsal angle 1-2 ( P = .004), hallux abductus angle ( P = .000), tibial sesamoid position ( P = .016), and proximal articular set angle ( P = .02) increased. The association of foot type (ie, digital length pattern), metatarsal protrusion distance, metatarsal head shape, and hallux abductus interphalangeus was not significant. Therefore, preoperative clinical parameters (ie, age) and radiographic measurements (ie, intermetatarsal angle 1-2, hallux abductus angle, tibial sesamoid position, and proximal articular set angle) can directly define the incidence and location of articular erosion and are helpful in the preoperative assessment of the hallux valgus deformity. In addition, nearly every first metatarsophalangeal joint evaluated had some degree of articular erosion and, in certain circumstances (ie, advanced age and increased proximal articular set angle), it was universal and extensive.

Medical and rehabilitation issues in classical ballet

Classical ballet is a demanding professional occupation, with participants who are often underserved in terms of accurate diagnosis and appropriate comprehensive medical care. The view that follows is designed to be as global and insightful as published to date. Specific rehabilitation considerations, dance mechanics, idiosyncratic differential diagnosis, and personality and equipment issues are discussed, and a rational view of dogma is presented.

Results after cheilectomy in athletes with hallux rigidus

From 1987 to 1993, 20 athletes (22 feet) underwent cheilectomy for Regnauld grade I, grade II hallux rigidus. Average age was 31 years (10 men and 12 women); mean follow-up was at 5.1 years. All patients performed high-level sports (judo, track & field, soccer, and skating). Indications for surgery included failure of nonsurgical treatment with persistent pain during sports activities, shoefitting problems, and recurrent bursitis. The aim of our study was to evaluate the results clinically, radiographically, and objectively, using dynamic and static pedodynographic measurements. After a mean follow-up of 5 years, cheilectomy was demonstrated to be a reliable treatment method in athletes with Regnauld grades 1 and 2 hallux rigidus. Functionally, 14 excellent, seven good, and one fair result were noted. Radiological progression was noted in 7 of 13 patients, with a follow-up of >4 years. Postoperative dynamic pedodynographic findings demonstrated moderate but significant changes in peak pressures under the first metatarsal head, the hallux, and in the center of pressure distribution under the forefoot.