Research to support that we are on target !

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

The abductor hallucis muscle acts as a dynamic elevator of the arch. Understanding this mechanism may change the way we understand and treat pes planus, posterior tibial tendon dysfunction, hallux valgus, and Charcot neuroarthropathy. (see our video attached, it is much of what we talked about in this video just a few months ago).

*From the article: “Most studies of degenerative flatfoot have focused on the posterior tibial muscle, an extrinsic muscle of the foot. However, there is evidence that the intrinsic muscles, in particular the abductor hallucis (ABH), are active during late stance and toe-off phases of gait.

RESULTS:

All eight specimens showed an origin from the posteromedial calcaneus and an insertion at the tibial sesamoid. All specimens also demonstrated a fascial sling in the hindfoot, lifting the abductor hallucis muscle to give it an inverted ‘V’ shaped configuration. Simulated contraction of the abductor hallucis muscle caused flexion and supination of the first metatarsal, inversion of the calcaneus, and external rotation of the tibia, consistent with elevation of the arch.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17559771

Foot Ankle Int. 2007 May;28(5):617-20.

Influence of the abductor hallucis muscle on the medial arch of the foot: a kinematic and anatomical cadaver study.

Wong YS. Island Sports Medicine & Surgery, Island Orthopaedic Group, #02-16 Gleneagles Medical Centre, 6 Napier Road, Singapore, 258499, Singapore. yueshuen@yahoo.com