Flexion strength of the toes

NewsBot · Aug 20, 2013

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Flexion strength of the toes in the normal foot. An evaluation using magnetic resonance imaging
S.M. Green & P.J. Briggs
The Foot; Available online 14 August 2013

Flexion of the toes may be active from muscle contraction or passive from the reversed windlass function of the plantar aponeurosis. The aim of this study was to estimate the flexion moments the muscles of the foot and long digital flexors may be capable of generating and compare these calculations with published data.

Magnetic resonance images were used to measure the maximal cross-sectional area of the foot muscles and long digital flexors, along with the radius of curvature of the metatarsal heads. Using known physiological data the maximal flexion moments the muscles may be able to generate at the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints were calculated.

The methodology overestimates muscle strength and flexion moments at the metatarsophalangeal joints. The calculated maximal flexion moment at the 1st MTP joint is 4.27–6.84 N m, for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th MTP joints 3.06–4.91 N m, and the 5th MTP joint 0.47–0.75 N m.

The flexion moments the muscles may generate at the MTP joints do not account for the flexion forces seen in normal walking. Given that maximal strength is not used in normal walking, we conclude that the reversed windlass mechanism of the plantar aponeurosis must be important in normal function of the toes.
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Admin2 · Aug 20, 2013

NewsBot said: ↑

we conclude that the reversed windlass mechanism of the plantar aponeurosis must be important in normal function of the toes.
Click to expand...

See:
The reverse windlass mechanism

Dr. Steven King · Aug 26, 2013

Aloha,

This is great research.

It continues to impress me at how little force is made from the muscles.

For instance 1 apple dropped 1 meter equals 1 N m. So the total muscle strength of the big toe would be 5-6 apples worth of force.

We must rely on the non-muscular windlass mechanism to improve this or perhaps we could reinforce our footwear and orthotics with composite materials.

Keep up the great research!

A Hui Hou,
Steve

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Dr. Steven King Well-Known Member

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