Background

Hallux valgus orthoses are available in a wide range of designs and materials, but the effects of their design on functional performance have not been fully investigated.

Research question

This present study aims to comprehensively analyze the immediate effects of soft and semi-rigid hallux valgus orthoses on balance, plantar pressure, hallux valgus angle, and subjective sensations.

Methods

Sixteen female subjects have participated in the study, including 10 subjects with healthy feet and 6 with hallux valgus. Three conditions are tested, including in the barefoot and using two types of commercially available hallux valgus orthoses. The subjects participate in static and dynamic (walking) tests with the use of the Novel Pedar® system. The peak pressure values in the hallux, lateral toes, first metatarsophalangeal joint, 2-4th metatarsal heads, 5th metatarsal head, medial midfoot, lateral midfoot and rearfoot in the various foot conditions are examined and compared. The hallux valgus angle of each subject is measured based on their footprint. Their subjective feelings towards the orthoses are also evaluated. A repeated-measures analysis of variance, and independent-sample t-test are performed.

Results

The correction of the hallux valgus angle is statistically significant when the subjects with hallux valgus use the orthoses. In comparing the two types of orthoses, the use of the orthosis made of soft materials results in correction in the hallux valgus angle and higher wear comfort, and lower plantar pressure in hallux area.

Significance

The results provide insights into the design of hallux valgus orthoses, thus offering practical reference for the selection of hallux valgus orthosis with compromise between functional performance and wear comfort.

中文翻译：

---

拇外翻矫形器的直接影响：矫形器设计的比较

背景

拇外翻矫形器有多种设计和材料可供选择，但其设计对功能性能的影响尚未得到充分研究。

研究问题

本研究旨在综合分析软和半刚性拇外翻矫形器对平衡、足底压力、拇外翻角度和主观感觉的直接影响。

方法

16 名女性受试者参与了这项研究，其中包括 10 名足部健康受试者和 6 名拇外翻受试者。测试了三种条件，包括赤脚和使用两种市售的拇外翻矫形器。受试者使用 Novel Pedar® 系统参与静态和动态（步行）测试。检查并比较了各种足部条件下拇趾、外侧脚趾、第一跖趾关节、第 2-4 跖骨头、第 5 跖骨头、内侧中足、外侧中足和后足的峰值压力值。每个受试者的拇外翻角度是根据他们的足迹测量的。他们对矫形器的主观感受也被评估。执行重复测量方差分析和独立样本t检验。

结果

当拇外翻受试者使用矫形器时，拇外翻角度的矫正具有统计学意义。对比两种矫形器，使用软质材料制成的矫形器，矫正了拇外翻角度，佩戴舒适度更高，拇趾区域的足底压力更低。

意义

研究结果为拇外翻矫形器的设计提供了参考，从而为在功能性能和佩戴舒适性之间妥协的拇外翻矫形器的选择提供了实用参考。