Effect of Toe Spacer Orthosis on Balance and Change in Center of Pressure in Old-Age Hallux Valgus

Hallux valgus is one of the most prevalent deformities which causes changes in the center of pressure (COP) and standing balance. This paper looks at the mechanical changes of spacer pads used for such a deformity.
In this quasi experimental study, 24 people suffering from hallux valgus were reffered to a trainig hospital in Tehran, Iran. A Bertec force plate was used to collect data related to COP parameters. The balance tests of TUG and FR were used to evaluate the changes in balance. The tests were done without and with toe spacers in a 15 second period of time and the COP displacement in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions and also the path length of COP displacement, velocity of COP displacement and confidence ellipse of the COP were measured. The data were analyzed using statistical tests.
Using the toe spacers did not cause a significant change in displacement of COP in anteroposterior and mediolateral directions, confidence ellipse, velocity of COP displacement and the path length of COP displacement (p≥.05). But the change in the results of FR and TUG tests was significant (p Using the toe spacers in hallux valgus causes no significant changes in COP displacement, path length, velocity and confidence ellipse, but shows improvement in results of balance tests in elderly suffering from hallux valgus deformity.