Sex Differences in Morton's Extension Application on Plantar Pressure Distribution in Different Foot Regions in Female and Male Patients Without Deformities: A Pre-Post Test Study

Comparison of the Effect of a Morton's Extension on Plantar Pressure Distribution in Different Foot Regions in Female and Male Patients Without Deformities: A Pre-Post Test Study

The aim of this study is to simulate the orthopedic treatment called Morton's extension on non-deformed patients to check the different effects producted by sex in footprint.

The objective of this study is to perform an assimilation of the orthopedic treatment called morton extension on non-deformed patients to verify the difference effects due by sex on each metatarsal head and rearfoot on its static footprint, and plantar pressures variables in dynamic footprint.

Inclusion Criteria:

• no history of trauma to the foot;
• the presence of at least 10° of dorsiflexion at the ankle with the knee fully dorsiflexed;
• unrestricted motion of the functional subtalar joint of 30°;
• unrestricted motion along the longitudinal axis of the midtarsal joint of 15°;
• unrestricted nonweight-bearing motion of the first ray of at least 8 mm;
• greater than 50° of dorsiflexion of the hallux to the first metatarsal bisection during nonweight-bearing;
• age greater than 18 years and younger than 60 years;
• at the time of data collection, no lower limb dysfunction or chronic injury; and
• no evidence of a non-fixed deformity at first metatarsophalangeal and first metatarsal cuneiform joints.

Exclusion Criteria:

• plantar corns and calluses,
• hallux valgus and lesser toe deformities,
• diabetes,
• any abnormality in the lower extremity that may affect gait.