Rockered shoes...they're for MORE than hallux limitus...

In other words, footwear with more "drop" in the front lessens the need for forefoot rocker (otherwise known as 1st metatarsophalangeal joint extension, or "the ability to bend your big toe backward)

“Most people have to wear MBTs a little at a time until they gain strength and stamina, so we recommend wearing them an hour a day for the first few days and to increase gradually until they feel strong enough to wear them for a full day,”

...sounds an awful lot like our mantra "skill, endurance, strength"...

A great read here. Keep this one around for reference...

https://lermagazine.com/article/rocker-bottom-footwear-effects-on-balance-gait

Dr Ivo, one of The Gait Guys

#rockeredshoes, #gait, #thegaitguys, #gaitanalysis, #gaitabnormaility, #rockerbottom

Images illustrate different types of rockers, with fulcrum locations indicated by vertical red lines. (Images courtesy of Arnie Davis, CPed.) via LER magazine: https://lermagazine.com/article/rocker-bottom-footwear-effects-on-balance-gait

A great paper on Hallux Limits

Don't let the title fool or dissuade you. 

Here is a great paper to support the post earlier this week on hallux limitus. 

Plantar pressure distribution in older people with osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (hallux limitus/rigidus)

No surprise that the study found folks with osteoarthritis of the the 1st MPJ had greater maximum force and peak pressures under the hallux as well as the lesser toe than controls. 

BUT here is one of the gems from the study: " However, the plantar pressure changes observed in this study can be explained using the concept of high- and low-gear push off described by Bojson-Moller. This model suggests that there are two metatarsal axes through which propulsion may occur; a transverse axis connecting the first to second metatarsal heads, and an oblique axis connecting the second to fifth metatarsal heads. In the presence of normal first MPJ motion, a ‘‘high-gear’’ push- off occurs through the transverse metatarsal axis, resulting in an efficient transfer of bodyweight. In the presence of restricted first MPJ motion, propulsion through the transverse axis is not possible. Subsequently, a ‘‘low-gear’’ push-off occurs through the oblique axis, which subjects the lateral forefoot and toes to increased loading and results in hyperextension of the interphalangeal joint of the hallux prior to toe-off."

Zammit, G. V., Menz, H. B., Munteanu, S. E. and Landorf, K. B. (2008), Plantar pressure distribution in older people with osteoarthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (hallux limitus/rigidus). J. Orthop. Res., 26: 1665–1669. doi:10.1002/jor.20700.    

link to FREE FULL TEXT: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jor.20700/epdf

You better keep that Hallux Dorsiflexion

Geee....Looks like forefoot rocker really IS IMPORTANT, eh?

...and what have we been saying about being able to dorsiflex your big toe? Watch how well you or your client can descend the 1st ray (remember that if the head of the 1st does not go down and anchor, its axis of rotation moves dorsally and posterior, limiting dorsiflexion of the joint)

This article should make you look at the "toe break" in a shoe...

"They found that increasing bending stiffness assisted with propulsion during running, reducing the metabolic cost of running by about 1%. However, at a certain level, the increased elasticity began to interfere with the natural flexion of the first MTP joint, reducing the contribution of ankle joint torque to push-off and counteracting the metabolic benefits. Within the study population, the threshold of bending stiffness for optimal energetics varied significantly from one runner to the next, suggesting running shoe design may need to be tuned to an individual runner’s needs." 

http://lermagazine.com/news/in-the-moment-sports-medicine/stiffer-shoes-improve-running-energetics-as-long-as-first-mtp-flexion-is-preserved