A New Radiological Technique for the Forefoot

Abstract

Based on a study of 50 subjects seen at the University of Rochester Medical center, a new axial weightbearing radiological technique of the forefoot is described. The technique is simple, inexpensive, and easily reproducible. It has the advantage of not distorting the forefoot, relationships, unlike currently employed techniques. Since it is performed under weightbearing conditions, the results correlate closer to clinical situations. The SUbjects under this study, which excluded those with neuromuscular or malalignment problems, were found to fall into two categories: the pain-free and callous-free feet group, who have a well defined arch in the forefoot, and the group of subjects with pain and/or callous under the forefoot, who have a depressed arch. There is also a statistical significance between the relative heights of the tibial and fibular sesamoids. A new classification for hallux valgus based on observations of this technique is proposed.