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The painful foot, Part I: Common forefoot deformities
1Department of Family Practice, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City 66160, USA.
American Family Physician
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Forefoot pain and deformities are common with aging. Early diagnosis of conditions like metatarsal stress fractures and bunions allows for successful conservative treatment.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Podiatry
- Sports Medicine
Background:
- Forefoot pain and deformities are increasingly prevalent with age.
- Common conditions include metatarsal stress fractures, interdigital neuromas, bunions, hallux limitus, hammer digit syndrome, and sesamoiditis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the clinical diagnostic methods for common forefoot disorders.
- To emphasize the importance of early diagnosis for effective conservative treatment.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination techniques for diagnosing specific forefoot conditions were described.
- Diagnostic criteria based on palpation and joint motion assessment were detailed.
Main Results:
- Specific palpation methods can aid in diagnosing metatarsal stress fractures, interdigital neuromas, bunions, and sesamoiditis.
- Assessing pain, crepitus, and motion at the first metatarsophalangeal joint is key for hallux limitus diagnosis.
- Hammer digit syndrome has multifactorial causes including biomechanical and systemic factors.
Conclusions:
- Early diagnosis of forefoot disorders through clinical examination is crucial.
- Conservative therapy is often successful for common forefoot conditions when diagnosed promptly.