Functional motion of the medial column joints of the foot during propulsion

Motion in the ankle, subtalar, midtarsal, and first metatarsophalangeal joints has been well documented. However, motion in the first metatarsocuneiform, the first cuneonavicular, and the first interphalangeal joint has not been addressed. Motion in these joints has not been documented because many believe that little motion occurs at these joints, and because of the difficulty in assessing motion at these joints. Using two-dimensional motion analysis, the authors present sagittal plane ranges of motion occurring in the first metatarsophalangeal joint, the first metatarsocuneiform joint, the medial cuneonavicular joint, and the first interphalangeal joint during the propulsive period of gait. This pilot study indicates that sagittal plane motion between the navicular and calcaneus and between the first metatarsal and first cuneiform are very mild and inconsistent. However, plantarflexion motion between the first cuneiform and the navicular is significant and comprises most of the plantarflexion motion of the first ray during propulsion. Motion in the first interphalangeal joint is slight during the first 80% of the propulsive period but shows slight-to-moderate dorsiflexion during the last 20% of the propulsive period of gait.