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Motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint
V J Hetherington1, J Carnett, B A Patterson
1University of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery, College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery, Des Moines, Iowa.
Abstract:
The analysis of motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint in this study demonstrates the character of motion about this joint. Four instantaneous centers of rotation were calculated in the first metatarsal head that formed an arc encircling an area of increased stress patterns. The joint motion is made up of rolling, sliding, and compression. The fact that there is more than one center of motion contradicts the theory of a simple hinge joint. The joint is a dynamic acetabulum or "hammock," as described by Kelikian. That is, the first metatarsal head moves within a stable support comprised of the base of the proximal phalanx, the sesamoids, soft tissue, and muscle tendons. The nature of first metatarsophalangeal joint motion must be considered when contemplating surgical procedures of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.
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