Dudley Morton's Concept of Disordered Foot Function

NewsBot · May 3, 2006

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This interesting read for those that can access this journal:
A Critical Analysis of Dudley Morton's Concept of Disordered Foot Function.
J Foot Ankle Surg. 2006 May - June;45(3):147-155

The name Morton is associated with a foot structure characterized by a short first metatarsal in comparison with the adjacent second metatarsal. Dudley Morton is credited with recognizing a short first metatarsal as being a primary defect of the foot. Morton, an anatomist, approached his observation from an evolutionary perspective. His theory of disordered foot function was based on the premise that human alignment centered on an "axis of leverage" and around an "axis of balance." Morton concluded that the presence of a short first metatarsal was compounded when the first metatarsal segment was hypermobile. Shortness and hypermobility diminished the capacity of the first metatarsal segment to carry weight, allowed pronation during activity, and led to an overload of the central metatarsals. The term Morton Foot sprang from his teachings. The extensive writings of Morton are commonly cited even today. This study compares Morton's teachings with research published during the last 70 years, which either supports or refutes his claims.
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NewsBot · Feb 29, 2024

Prevalence of Morton’s toe and assessment of the associated risk factors: a crosssectional study
Bhagath K. Potu et al
Eur J Anat, 27 (6): 717-722 (2023)

Morton’s toe results in an uneven distribution of pressure across the feet. Awareness about Morton’s toe and its associated risk factors is clinically important. Although studies have reported the prevalence of Morton’s toe, not many studies appear in literature discussing its impact on the associated risk factors such as hammertoe, bunion deformity, overpronation and plantar fasciitis, respectively. Hence, we have undertaken this study to analyze the prevalence of Morton’s toe in the Gulf region to assess its impact on the foot. A cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological study was carried out between November 2021 and December 2022 on the feet of 100 individuals (male=50; female=50) with ages ranging from 17 to 75 years. The study included the Bahraini & non-Bahraini residents. Individuals with severe foot injuries and deformities resulting from surgery were excluded. A total of 56 Morton’s toe cases (male=18; female=38) were noted in the study sample. The overall prevalence of Morton’s toe was 28% and majority of the participants with Morton’s toe were females (67.9%). Of 56 Morton’s toe cases, the majority were seen in the age group from 30 to 40 years, particularly in females. Our findings clearly showed a significant association between Morton’s toe and hammertoe (p=0.044), bunion and usage of high heels (p<0.001), respectively. However, the association between Morton’s toe and other risk factors such as plantar fasciitis and overpronation of the foot were found to be statistically nonsignificant (p>0.05). Our study provides baseline data for the first time on the prevalence of Morton’s toe and associated risk factors.
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Brian A. Rothbart · Mar 5, 2024

The 3cm height in Morton´s extension pad work is what makes it kinetically functional. If the extension pad had no thickness, e.g., paper thin, it would not function.

Prior to my research, the medial column supinatus was unrecognized. This medial column supinatus places the 1st met and hallux in structural elevatus and invertus. This forces the met and hallux to twist and drop, during mid to late stance phase, in order to rest on the ground.

Placing a 3cm thick pad underneath the 1st met and hallux, it, in essence builds the ground up to the met head and hallux. This diminishes the amount of drop and twist (e.g., gravity drive pronation) necessary for the 1st met head and hallux to rest on the elevated transverse plane.

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Brian A. Rothbart Well-Known Member

Dudley Mortons Toe (and love of money) the root of all Evil

Morton's Neuroma Pads

BAD MORTON'S NEUROMA

Plantar plate tears in Morton's Neuroma

Foot orthotics for morton's neuroma

Medial Foot Column Disorders (Morton's and Rothbart's)

How I cured morton's neuroma

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