Quantitative evaluation of the vertical mobility of the first tarsometatarsal joint during stance phase of gait

We determined how the in vivo mobility of the first tarsometatarsal (TMT) joint can be quantified during gait. Twenty-five healthy participants (12 females) with no history of foot disorders were included. Non-invasive ultrasound (US) with a three-dimensional motion analysis (MA) system was used to evaluate the kinematic characteristics of first TMT joint during stance phase of gait. US probe was positioned longitudinally above the first TMT joint and adjusted to its proximal dorsal prominence. Gait analysis was conducted by the MA system starting with the activation of B-mode US video at 80 frames per second and 60-mm depth for simultaneous capture. During stance phase, the first metatarsal was translated dorsally with respect to the medial cuneiform, returning to a neutral level at toe-off in all subjects. During middle stance phase, the medial cuneiform was stable in males but displaced in the plantar direction in females and was the primary contributor to the differences in sagittal mobility observed between groups. Quantitatively measuring sagittal mobility of the first TMT joint could be useful for the early detection of foot abnormalities. The dynamic characteristics of the medial cuneiform during gait in healthy females may be associated with a high prevalence of hallux valgus.