Effect of functional foot orthoses on first metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion in stance and gait.

Reduction in first metatarsophalangeal joint maximum degree of dorsiflexion with dorsiflexion of the first ray has been proposed to be the predominant cause of hallux abducto valgus and hallux rigidus. We sought to determine whether orthoses made from a cast with the first ray plantarflexed and a 4-mm medial skive could increase the maximum degree of dorsiflexion in patients with functional hallux limitus in stance and gait. Forty-eight feet of 27 subjects were casted for orthoses with the first ray plantarflexed and in the customary neutral rearfoot position with locked midtarsal joint.