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First Ray Function

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The Function of the First Ray
The first ray plays a vital part in supporting the structural integrity of the foot and altered biomechanics of this structure may lead to the formation of foot pathologies (Glasoe et al., 1999).
The axis of the first ray is deviated forty-five degrees from the saggital and frontal planes (Hetherington, 1994; Hicks, 1954). The motion associated with this axis includes plantar flexion in eversion and adduction in supination and also dorsiflexion coupled with inversion and abduction in pronation (Hicks, 1954). A relationship exists between hypermobility of the first ray and bunion severity (Rush et al., 2000) and this hypermobility of the first ray was also found to be a causative factor in HAV development (Lee …show more content…

This motion is produced by the extensor hallucis longus. The hallux is maintained in a dorsiflexed position as the loading from lateral to medial forefoot progresses. Passive dorsiflexion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint takes place after heel lift by the forward moving body weight …show more content…

The Windlass Mechanism
The Windlass mechanism constitutes the tension produced on the plantar fascia by the great toe during dorsiflexion. The plantar aponeurosis attaches distally to the plantar pads of the metatarsophalangeal joints and proximally to the calcaneus. Dorsiflexion of the toes produces a pull on these attachments around the heads of the metatarsals (Michelson, 1998; Hicks, 1954). The distance between the calcaneus and metatarsal heads decreases and causes the rearfoot to supinate whilst forward movement of the body forces the toes to further dorsiflex. The medial longitudinal arch height increases by this cable-like action without any direct muscular function (Valmassy, 1996; Hicks, 1954). This mechanism provides rigidity for the push-off phase and stability to the medial longitudinal arch (Reid, 1992). Collapsing of the medial longitudinal arch leads to calcaneal pronation with associated forefoot abduction and commonly causes foot problems such as HAV by increasing the force distribution through the medial rays (Stovitz and Coetzee,

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