Effects of the Hallux Valgus Angle on One-Leg Stance and Gait Parameters in Young Adults: A Preliminary Study

Abstract Background Hallux valgus (HV) is the most common musculoskeletal deformity of the foot. This deformity is accompanied with pain and continues to decrease one’s quality of life. Furthermore, HV has been reported to affect gait ability and static stability. This study aimed to compare one-leg stance and gait between people with and without HV, and to investigate the effect of the HV angle on one-leg stance and gait ability. Methods Forty young adults with HV (6 men, 34 women) were enrolled. In the HV and normal groups, people who had undergone surgery or were unable to participate in the study because of pain in the lower extremity were excluded. Using the Zebris FDM model 1.5 (Zebris Medical GmbH, Isny, Germany), we analyzed gait parameters and one-leg stance in all subject to compare gait and static balance between the normal and HV groups. The obtained data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U-test to determine differences in one-leg stance and gait parameters between the group groups. In addition, a simple regression analysis was performed to determine the effect of the HV angle on one-leg stance and gait parameters. The significance level was set at ɑ=0.05. Results Significant differences were found in sway length and time change from the heel to forefoot during walking between the normal and HV groups. Most parameters were not associated with the HV angle, but a few one-leg stance and gait parameters were significantly associated with the HV angle. Conclusions These results suggest that most one-leg stance and gait parameters were not significantly affected by the HV angle in young adults; however, a few parameters were significantly different between the normal and HV groups. Because walking is a repetitive movement, young adults with HV could potentially have cumulative damage of the feet in later stages of life.