Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 20, 2025

Clinical-oriented Three-dimensional Gait Analysis Method for Evaluating Gait Disorder
Published on: March 4, 2018
Transverse laxity of the forefoot
Joris Robberecht1, Lauryl Decroocq2, Martin Schramm3
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, IM2S, 11 Avenue d'Ostende, 98000 Monaco; Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, AZ Turnhout, Steenweg op Merksplas 44, 2300 Turnhout, Belgium.
Background:
Splay of the forefoot reflects the loss of tension in the soft tissues and indicates failure of the biomechanics of the tie-bar system. By identifying and quantifying the soft tissue structures involved in the destruction of forefoot stability we could increase the understanding of forefoot pathologies.
Methods:
We investigated the transverse forefoot laxity on healthy feet, feet with forefoot pathology and cadaveric feet undergoing sequential dissection.
Results:
Statistical difference in transverse laxity was seen between healthy feet (n = 160) and feet with symptomatic forefoot pathology requiring surgery (n = 29). Presence of lesser ray pathology is associated with increased transverse laxity. For the dissected cadaveric feet (n = 9) sequential sectioning the plantar plate causes a progressive evolution of transverse laxity. The repair of plantar plates greatly improves transverse stability.
Conclusions:
Forefoot pathology causes increased transverse laxity. In case of a major transverse laxity of the forefoot a plantar plate lesion should be suspected.
Related Concept Videos
Ankle Joint
Muscles of the Leg that Move the Foot and Toes
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment includes muscles that contribute to the dorsiflexion of the foot. This compartment houses the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus muscles....
Bones of the Lower Limb: Tibia and Fibula
Deformations in a Transverse Cross Section
As the material stretches, it expands or contracts in orthogonal directions to the load. This phenomenon varies...
Bones of the Lower Limb: Femur and Patella
Lumber Defects
Shakes are minor fractures that run along or across the wood's annual rings, while wane is...

