Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 27, 2025
Predictive Measurement for Windlass Change in Length and Selected Treatment Outcomes in Chronic Plantar Fasciitis
Published on: March 1, 2024
Effect of toe exercises and toe grip strength on the treatment of primary metatarsalgia
Kentaro Amaha1, Tatsuya Arimoto2, Nobuto Kitamura2
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St Luke's International Hospital, 9-1 Akashicho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, 104-8560, Japan. amaken@luke.ac.jp.
Background:
The relationship of metatarsalgia and toe function is poorly understood. We investigated the efficacy of toe exercises for the treatment of metatarsalgia.
Methods:
Forty-one (56 feet) metatarsalgia patients (mean age ± SD: 63.4 ± 10.6) underwent toe strength measurement. We recorded pre- and post-treatment VAS score, AOFAS score, marble pickup, single-leg standing time (SLST), and compared in two subgroups to evaluate impact of disease duration on treatment outcome.
Results:
Post treatment, toe plantarflexion strength improved (all p < 0.01); VAS scores decreased (p < 0.01); AOFAS scores, marble pickup, and SLST improved (all p < 0.01). Patients symptomatic for > 1 year had significantly lower changes in VAS scores (p < 0.01). Multivariate analysis showed patients with longer disease duration, and larger body mass index had significantly lower improvement in VAS scores (p = 0.029 and p = 0.036, respectively). Device consistency assessed by ICC was excellent (0.89-0.97).
Conclusion:
Toe function and metatarsalgia are improved by toe exercises, suggesting that they are closely related.
