25 - Inverted Forefoot Deformities Flashcards
Types of inverted forefoot deformities
- Forefoot Varus (bony varus)
- Forefoot Supinatus (soft tissue varus)
- Metatarsus Primus Elevatus
- Plantarflexed Cuboid
- Plantarflexed 5th Metatarsal
Forefoot varus
- OSSEOUS abnormality
- Inverted position of plantar surface of all metatarsals (forefoot) relative to the plantar surface of the calcaneus (rearfoot) at the level of the STJ…
- With the STJ neutral and the MTJ locked (fully pronated) – 1st metatarsal is higher than the 5th
- If all the metatarsals are inverted on the same plane, you cannot plantarflex the 1st metatarsal during examination
Etiology of forefoot varus
- Inadequate valgus torsion of the head and neck of the talus (?)
- Normal fetal position of talar head and neck is varus rotation to the transverse plane.
- During normal development, there is a valgus rotation to the talar head and neck which creates a valgus curvature to the lesser tarsus.
- If this fails to occur, there is an inverted position of the forefoot to the rearfoot (i.e., the forefoot is not perpendicular to the bisection of the heel).
STUDY - Anatomical origin of forefoot varus malalignment
- Using cadaveric specimens “…there was no association between forefoot alignment and talar torsion (twist in talar head and neck).”
The most common cause of a FF varus is: o Metatarsus primus elevatus o Plantarflexed cuboid o Lack of valgus rotation of the talar head o Plantarflexed 5th metatarsal o Plantarflexed 1st metatarsal
3
Types of forefoot varus
- Uncompensated forefoot varus
- Partially compensated forefoot varus
- Compensated forefoot varus
Rule for compensation of forefoot varus
- The heel will evert past vertical the same number of degrees as the FF varus deformity to get the medial aspect of the forefoot on the ground
- This is different than rearfoot varus, where the compensation will get the heel to vertical but no further
Uncompensated forefoot varus
- Exists when there is no calcaneal eversion beyond the vertical available
- However, most people have adequate ROM available at the MTJ (midtarsal joint – calcaneocuboid/talonavicular) or within the 1st ray’s ROM to allow forefoot to purchase ground
- If a forefoot varus is compensated by plantarflexing the first metatarsal, when seen in non-weightbearing neutral position, metatarsals 2 through 5 will be in varus with the 1st metatarsal flexibly plantarflexed (can dorsiflex 1st metatarsal to the level of the 2nd metatarsal)
- The heel remains at vertical in RCSP (the STJ does not have to evert past vertical because the 1st metatarsal compensates by plantarflexing)
- Unlike osseous forefoot varus where all the metatarsals are in varus, a 1st metatarsal that compensates to get the forefoot to the ground will form a forefoot deformity known as a flexible plantarflexed 1st ray with varus 2 through 5
Example of forefoot and rearfoot varus
Biomechanical exam
o 4 degrees of FF varus (rigid)
o 20 degrees of STJ inversion
o 4 degrees of STJ eversion
o 8 degrees of tibial varum (***RF varus compensates before any FF deformity!!!!)
o As a result, the resting calcaneal stance position is 4 degrees inverted
o This is the maximally pronated position, and the FF varus is uncompensated
Solution
o The rearfoot varus must compensate before the forefoot varus
o 8° tibial varum - 4° eversion of STJ = 4° RF varus
o To compensate for 4° of FFV, need to evert heel 4° past vertical
o No more eversion of STJ is available
Pathology of uncompensated forefoot varus in the skin
Callus sub 4th & 5th metatarsal heads and hallux, corn dorsum 2nd toe
This is caused by a LOT of stress being placed on the lateral side of the foot
Pathology of uncompensated forefoot varus in the muscle and fascia
Equinus, functional
Ankle sprains, peritoneal tendonitis can also occur
Pathology of uncompensated forefoot varus in the bones (osseous)
Don’t need to memorize the entire list
o Retrocalcaneal exostosis (because heel is in varus and lateral posterior aspect of heel will rub on shoes) o Heel spur syndrome o Sinus tarsi syndrome o Ankle valgus (attempt to compensate) o Genu valgum (attempt to compensate) o Tailor’s bunion o Hammertoe - 2nd
Pathology of uncompensated forefoot varus in the gait
o Apropulsive
o Pronated throughout
Pathology of uncompensated forefoot varus in the foot type
Stable cavus
There will be LATERAL ankle strain in this case
NEED TO KNOW THIS - TEST QUESTION
Partially compensated forefoot varus
- The amount of STJ eversion is less than the amount of FF varus, but enough to position the heel in eversion in RCSP, but less than the amount of FF varus
- Many feet will also compensate by plantarflexing the 1st metatarsal (metatarsals 2 through 5 are in varus and the 1st metatarsal is flexibly plantarflexed) - some “youngin’s” will do this - stated this many times, so probably need to know***
Example of partially compensated forefoot varus
Biomechanical exam
o 4 degrees of FF varus (rigid)
o 15 degrees of STJ inversion
o 4 degrees of STJ eversion
o 3 degrees of tibial varum
o As a result, the resting calcaneal stance position is 1 degree everted
o This is the maximally pronated position which is less than the 4 degrees of FF varus so the FF varus is only partially compensated
Solution
o Correct rearfoot deformity first
o 3° RF varus - 4° eversion of STJ = 0° of heel (heel vertical) with 1° of eversion left over
o Need 4° of eversion past heel vertical to compensate, but only have 1° available
o Therefore, RCSP is 1° valgus
Pathology of partially compensated forefoot varus in the skin
o Callus sub ball of foot and hallux
o IPK sub 1st met head