Adult toe contact and the function of floating toes

Abstract

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence of floating toes in adults and to investigate the toe function in floating toe cases by a comparative study of healthy adults. [Subjects] The subjects were 55 adult female orthopedic patients with no prior medical history. [Method] The measurement items were: an image of the sole of the foot taken by a pedoscope; toe-grip strength; center of gravity forward shift ability; and ability to adjust toe movement (toe movement time and toe movement efficiency) in performance of a precision drill. Using these measurement results we conducted a comparative study of healthy and floating toe cases. [Results] From the pedoscope images we identified 20 healthy and 15 floating toe cases. In the comparison of floating toe with healthy cases, significant declines in toe-grip strength and center of gravity forward shift ability, as well as prolongation of toe movement time, were seen. [Conclusion] The results suggest in addition to a decline in movement ability, floating toe cases have declines in the ability to adjust movement involving sensory factors. © 2009, The Society of Physical Therapy Science. All rights reserved.