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Menz HB, Lord SR. Gait instability in older people with hallux valgus. Foot Ankle Int. 2005 Jun;26(6):483-9.

BACKGROUND: Hallux valgus is a common condition that may lead to considerable
pain and disability. There is also evidence that hallux valgus may impair
balance and increase the risk of falling in older people. Although a number of
plantar pressure studies have been undertaken in people with and without hallux
valgus, little is known about how hallux valgus affects basic gait patterns or
the movement of the upper body when walking. METHODS: Measurements of
temporospatial parameters of gait and acceleration patterns of the head and
pelvis were obtained in 71 people (24 men, 47 women) between 75 and 93 (mean 80
+/- 4) years of age when walking on both a level surface and a specially
designed irregular walkway. Foot problems, vision, peripheral sensation,
strength, and reaction time also were evaluated. RESULTS: After adjusting for
potential confounders, subjects with moderate to severe hallux valgus were found
to exhibit significantly reduced velocity and step length on both walking
surfaces and less rhythmic acceleration patterns in the vertical plane when
walking on the irregular surface compared to subjects with no or mild hallux
valgus. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that hallux valgus has a significant
detrimental impact on gait patterns that may contribute to instability and risk
of falling in older people, particularly when walking on irregular terrain.

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