scholarly journals Morphological and mechanical properties of plantar fascia and intrinsic foot muscles in individuals with and without flat foot

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 230949901880248 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serkan Taş ◽  
Nezehat Özgül Ünlüer ◽  
Feza Korkusuz
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Plantar Fascia ◽  
Abductor Hallucis ◽  
Flat Foot ◽  
Foot Posture ◽  
Intrinsic Foot Muscles ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Brevis ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Intrinsic Muscles

Purpose: Many musculoskeletal disorders are associated with over-pronated foot and decreased medial longitudinal arch (MLA) height. Foot intrinsic muscles and plantar fascia (PF) are the primary structures that support MLA. An important reason for the over-pronated foot and the reduction in the MLA height may be the morphological characteristics of the foot intrinsic muscles and PF as well as changes in their mechanical properties. The aim of the present study is to investigate the morphologic structure and mechanical properties of PF, flexor hallucis brevis (FHB), flexor digitorum brevis (FDB), and abductor hallucis (AbH) muscles in individuals with flat foot and to compare the results with those of healthy individuals. Methods: The study included 80 participants, 40 with flat foot and 40 with normal foot posture. The foot posture of the participants was assessed using the Foot Posture Index. PF, FHB, FDB, and AbH thickness and stiffness were measured with an ultrasonography device using a linear ultrasonography probe. Results: Individuals with flat foot had higher AbH thickness compared to individuals with normal foot posture ( p < 0.001), whereas both groups were similar in terms of PF ( p = 0.188), FHB ( p = 0.627), and FDB ( p = 0.212) thickness. Stiffness values of the assessed tissues were similar in both groups ( p > 0.05). Conclusion: AbH thickness was higher in individuals with flat foot; however, PF, FHB, and FDB thickness were similar in both groups. In addition, our results suggest that foot posture is not related to the stiffness of the assessed tissues.

Intrinsic Foot Muscle Morphology in Active Runners With and Without a History of Exercise-Related Lower Leg Pain

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 62-67
Author(s):  
Aliza K. Nedimyer ◽  
Brian G. Pietrosimone ◽  
Brittney A. Luc-Harkey ◽  
Erik A. Wikstrom
Keyword(s):  
Visual Information ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Lower Leg ◽  
Leg Pain ◽  
Abductor Hallucis ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Brevis ◽  
History Of ◽  
Lower Leg Pain ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Intrinsic Muscles

Our objective was to quantify the functional and morphological characteristics of the plantar intrinsic muscles in those with and without a history of exercise-related lower leg pain (ERLLP). Thirty-two active runners—24 with a history of ERLLP—volunteered. Strength of the flexor hallucis brevis and flexor digitorum brevis, postural control, and navicular drop were recorded. Morphology of the abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, and flexor hallucis brevis muscles were captured using ultrasonography. Those with ERLLP had smaller flexor hallucis brevis morphology measures (p ≤ .015) and a greater reliance on visual information while balancing (p = .05). ERLLP appears to alter intrinsic muscle function and morphology.

scholarly journals The foot is more than a spring: human foot muscles perform work to adapt to the energetic requirements of locomotion

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (150) ◽  
pp. 20180680 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Riddick ◽  
Dominic J. Farris ◽  
Luke A. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Net Energy ◽  
Centre Of Mass ◽  
Abductor Hallucis ◽  
Human Foot ◽  
Plantar Muscle ◽  
Elastic Mechanism ◽  
Intrinsic Foot Muscles ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Brevis ◽  
Energy Sink ◽  
Flexor Digitorum

The foot has been considered both as an elastic mechanism that increases the efficiency of locomotion by recycling energy, as well as an energy sink that helps stabilize movement by dissipating energy through contact with the ground. We measured the activity of two intrinsic foot muscles, flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) and abductor hallucis (AH), as well as the mechanical work performed by the foot as a whole and at a modelled plantar muscle–tendon unit (MTU) to test whether these passive mechanics are actively controlled during stepping. We found that the underlying passive visco-elasticity of the foot is modulated by the muscles of the foot, facilitating both dissipation and generation of energy depending on the mechanical requirements at the centre of mass (COM). Compared to level ground stepping, the foot dissipated and generated an additional –0.2 J kg −1 and 0.10 J kg −1 (both p < 0.001) when stepping down and up a 26 cm step respectively, corresponding to 21% and 10% of the additional net work performed by the leg on the COM. Of this compensation at the foot, the plantar MTU performed 30% and 89% of the work for step-downs and step-ups, respectively. This work occurred early in stance and late in stance for stepping down respectively, when the activation levels of FDB and AH were increased between 69 and 410% compared to level steps (all p < 0.001). These findings suggest that the energetic function of the foot is actively modulated by the intrinsic foot muscles and may play a significant role in movements requiring large changes in net energy such as stepping on stairs or inclines, accelerating, decelerating and jumping.

scholarly journals Shoes alter the spring-like function of the human foot during running

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (119) ◽  
pp. 20160174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luke A. Kelly ◽  
Glen A. Lichtwark ◽  
Dominic J. Farris ◽  
Andrew Cresswell
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Running Economy ◽  
Abductor Hallucis ◽  
Foot Kinematics ◽  
Human Foot ◽  
Running Shoes ◽  
Intrinsic Foot Muscles ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Brevis ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Intramuscular Electromyography

The capacity to store and return energy in legs and feet that behave like springs is crucial to human running economy. Recent comparisons of shod and barefoot running have led to suggestions that modern running shoes may actually impede leg and foot-spring function by reducing the contributions from the leg and foot musculature. Here we examined the effect of running shoes on foot longitudinal arch (LA) motion and activation of the intrinsic foot muscles. Participants ran on a force-instrumented treadmill with and without running shoes. We recorded foot kinematics and muscle activation of the intrinsic foot muscles using intramuscular electromyography. In contrast to previous assertions, we observed an increase in both the peak (flexor digitorum brevis +60%) and total stance muscle activation (flexor digitorum brevis +70% and abductor hallucis +53%) of the intrinsic foot muscles when running with shoes. Increased intrinsic muscle activation corresponded with a reduction in LA compression (−25%). We confirm that running shoes do indeed influence the mechanical function of the foot. However, our findings suggest that these mechanical adjustments are likely to have occurred as a result of increased neuromuscular output, rather than impaired control as previously speculated. We propose a theoretical model for foot–shoe interaction to explain these novel findings.

scholarly journals Congenital Unilateral Hypertrophy of the Plantar Musculature with Multiple Toe Deformities: A Case Report and Literature Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Matthias Holzbauer ◽  
Stefan Rick ◽  
Marco Götze ◽  
Sébastien Hagmann
Keyword(s):  
Rare Case ◽  
Muscle Hypertrophy ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Abductor Hallucis ◽  
Claw Toe ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Brevis ◽  
Abductor Digiti Minimi ◽  
Fifth Toe ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Toe Deformity

Congenital unilateral hypertrophy of the plantar musculature is a rare condition, and to our knowledge, reports of only 14 cases have been previously published. As only one describes a concomitant orthopedic toe deformity, we report our case of abductor hallucis, flexor digitorum brevis, and abductor digiti minimi muscle hypertrophy in combination with hallux valgus and claw toe deformity as well as a laterally abducted fifth toe. Thus, this report presents the rare case of congenital hypertrophy of the plantar musculature associated with complex toe deformities. Moreover, the present article contains a detailed description of our surgical technique as well as a review of the current literature.

Electromyographic Studies of the Human Foot: Experimental Approaches to Hominid Evolution

Foot & Ankle ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 391-407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lori A. Reeser ◽  
Randall L. Susman ◽  
Jack T. Stern
Keyword(s):  
Hominid Evolution ◽  
Abductor Hallucis ◽  
Early Hominid ◽  
Human Foot ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Brevis ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Arch Support ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Hominid Fossils ◽  
Electromyographic Investigation

Theories about the functions of the foot muscles have centered on their role in arch support. Previous anatomical and electromyographic studies (reviewed herein) have demonstrated that the arches are normally maintained by bones and ligaments. This study reports an electromyographic investigation of five foot muscles (flexor digito-rum longus, flexor digitorum brevis, flexor accessorius, abductor hallucis, and abductor digiti quinti) conducted on four humans. The three toe flexors act together to resist extension of the toes during the stance phase of locomotion. Despite the large flexor accessorius in humans, neither this muscle nor the flexor digitorum brevis are preferentially recruited over the flexor digitorum lon-gus for any normal posture or locomotion. The abductors affect the mediolateral distribution of pressure by positioning the forefoot. We suggest that the foot muscles play an important role in positioning of the forces on the foot in both posture and locomotion. Future electromyographic experiments on human and ape foot muscles in conjunction with detailed studies of early hominid fossils promise to elucidate the pathways of human locomotor evolution.

scholarly journals Morphological characteristics of intrinsic foot muscles among flat foot and normal foot using ultrasonography_

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kodai Sakamoto ◽  
Shintarou Kudo
Keyword(s):  
Body Height ◽  
Morphological Characteristics ◽  
Lateral Position ◽  
Abductor Hallucis ◽  
Flat Foot ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Flat Feet ◽  
Abductor Digiti Minimi ◽  
Intrinsic Foot Muscle ◽  
Adductor Hallucis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the morphology of the intrinsic foot muscle between typical foot and flat foot with the use ultrasound. Methods: Thirty-seven healthy participants were recruited in this study. Foot types were classified using the Foot posture index 6-item version. A total of 43 flat feet and 31 typical feet were examined. Using B-mode ultrasound imaging, the morphology of the abductor hallucis, oblique head of adductor hallucis, abductor digiti minimi, and flexor digitorum brevis muscles were measured. Morphology of all muscles measured was normalized by body height. The independent Student’s t-test was used to examine the differences in the thickness and the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the intrinsic foot muscle among the two groups. Results: The thickness of abductor hallucis was significantly larger in flat foot group. The thickness and CSA of abductor digiti minimi and the thickness of oblique head of adductor hallucis were significantly smaller in flat foot group. Conclusions: Our results showed hypertrophied adductor hallucis, atrophied abductor digiti minimi, and atrophied oblique head of the adductor hallucis in individuals with flat feet, suggesting a possible tendency to hypertrophy in muscles that are located in a medial position and a possible tendency to atrophy in muscles that are located in a lateral position in flat feet.

scholarly journals Stepping onto the unknown: reflexes of the foot and ankle while stepping with perturbed perceptions of terrain

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (176) ◽  
pp. 20210061
Author(s):  
R. C. Riddick ◽  
D. J. Farris ◽  
A. G. Cresswell ◽  
A. D. Kuo ◽  
L. A. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Short Latency ◽  
The Body ◽  
Reflex Response ◽  
Abductor Hallucis ◽  
Muscle Dynamics ◽  
Contact Kinematics ◽  
Ankle Muscle ◽  
Level Information ◽  
Flexor Digitorum Brevis ◽  
Flexor Digitorum

Unanticipated variations in terrain can destabilize the body. The foot is the primary interface with the ground and we know that cutaneous reflexes provide important sensory feedback. However, little is known about the contribution of stretch reflexes from the muscles within the foot to upright stability. We used intramuscular electromyography measurements of the foot muscles flexor digitorum brevis (FDB) and abductor hallucis (AH) to show for the first time how their short-latency stretch reflex response (SLR) may play an important role in responding to stepping perturbations. The SLR of FDB and AH was highest for downwards steps and lowest for upwards steps, with the response amplitude for level and compliant steps in between. When the type of terrain was unknown or unexpected to the participant, the SLR of AH and the ankle muscle soleus tended to decrease. We found significant relationships between the contact kinematics and forces of the leg and the SLR, but a person's expectation still had significant effects even after accounting for these relationships. Motor control models of short-latency body stabilization should not only include local muscle dynamics, but also predictions of terrain based on higher level information such as from vision or memory.

scholarly journals A Comparison of Foot Strengthening versus Minimal Footwear Use on Intrinsic Muscle Size and Strength

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0040
Author(s):  
Sarah Ridge ◽  
Dustin Bruening ◽  
Kevin Jurgensmeier ◽  
Mark Olsen ◽  
David Griffin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Repeated Measures ◽  
Plantar Fasciitis ◽  
Muscle Size ◽  
Tibialis Posterior ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Abductor Hallucis ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Linear Probe ◽  
Flexor Digitorum ◽  
Intrinsic Muscles

Category: Other Introduction/Purpose: The intrinsic muscles of the arch have been classified as the core of the foot. Intrinsic foot muscles (IFM) work as local stabilizers and extrinsic foot muscles (EFM) work as global movers to help control the pronation of the foot. These muscles prevent excessive strain of the MLA. Previous research has shown that strengthening IFM may reduce pain and improve function in people with plantar fasciitis. Additionally, habitual use of minimal shoes that lack support of the arch require greater demand on the intrinsic muscles. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of two different strengthening interventions on IFM and EFM size and strength. Methods: 57 healthy runners (avg 15-30 mpw) were randomly assigned to a foot strengthening (FS, n=19), a minimal shoe walking (MSW, n=19), or a control group (C, n=19). Baseline cross-sectional areas of abductor hallucis, quadratus plantae, flexor digitorum brevis, and flexor digitorum longus, and thickness of the flexor hallucis brevis, tibialis posterior, and tibialis anterior were obtained with ultrasound using a 10 MHz linear probe. Doming, great toe flexion and lateral toes flexion strength were also measured using a custom-built dynamometer. The FS group then underwent an 8 wk foot and ankle strengthening program. The MSW group progressively walked in minimal footwear from 2,500-7,000 over the course of 8 wks. All groups, including C, maintained normal running mileage in conventional footwear throughout the 8 wks. Size and strength measures were then repeated. A repeated measures ANCOVA with a post-hoc test was used to determine differences in size and strength between groups. Results: All muscles measured in the FS and MSW groups increased significantly in size from weeks 0-8. There were no changes in muscle size in the C group. The FS group experienced significantly greater size changes for the flexor hallucis brevis than the MSW group. All other changes in muscle size were not significant between the FS and MSW groups. The FS and MSW groups showed significant increases in strength in all 3 tests from week 0-8. Strength of the control group did not change at any time. The increases in strength in the FS and MSW groups were not significantly different than each other. Conclusion: Exercises that target the intrinsic and extrinsic foot muscles are effective in increased strength and size of the muscles. However, similar increases in strength and size can be obtained by progressive walking in minimal footwear. Combining both these approaches may have an even greater effect. Stronger feet may offer greater protection against overuse injuries such as plantar fasciitis.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Intrinsic Foot Muscle Activities between Therapeutic and Three-Dimensional Foot-Ankle Exercises in Healthy Adults: An Explanatory Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (19) ◽  
pp. 7189
Author(s):  
Du-Jin Park ◽  
Young-In Hwang
Keyword(s):  
Performance Test ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Healthy Adults ◽  
Therapeutic Exercise ◽  
Abductor Hallucis ◽  
Muscle Strengthening ◽  
Extensor Hallucis Longus ◽  
Intrinsic Foot Muscles ◽  
Intrinsic Muscles ◽  
Intrinsic Foot Muscle

Background: In recent years, a three-dimensional ankle exercise has been proposed as a practice for strengthening the intrinsic foot muscles, however this topic still requires further research. This study aimed to compare the activities of the intrinsic muscles in healthy participants during 3D foot–ankle exercises, namely, short foot (SF), and toe spread out (TSO). Methods: Prior to the experiment, 16 healthy adults were trained on how to perform SF, TSO, and 3D foot–ankle exercises for an hour. Once all participants passed the foot–ankle exercise performance test, we randomly measured the activity of the intrinsic foot muscles using electromyography while the patients were performing foot–ankle exercises. Results: The abductor hallucis (AbH), extensor hallucis longus (EHL), and flexor hallucis brevis (FHB) activities showed significant differences among the exercises for intrinsic foot muscle strengthening (p < 0.01). Additionally, the AbH/AdH (adductor hallucis) ratio showed significant differences among the exercises for strengthening the intrinsic foot muscles (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Our results showed that the 3D extension exercise is as effective as the therapeutic exercise in terms of the AbH and FHB activities, and the AbH/AdH ratio. On the contrary, the 3D flexion exercise showed superiority in terms of the EHL activity.

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