The Great Toe
The Great Toe
What Makes the Great Toe Great?
Step One: The Phases of Gait
Before understanding the importance of the first toe, also known as the great toe, we must first look at what makes up a step. There are three basic phases that make up our gait. First is the heal strike, followed by mid-stance and lastly toe-off. Each phase is important in its own right but I want to focus on the last step; the toe off.
The Toe-Off
The toe-off is the last phase of gait and is arguably the most important. As we transfer our weight onto our great toe it is important we have the mobility to allow our toe to properly extend. Having a stiff or rigid first toe, also known as hallux rigidus, can change the way we walk and run. This can lead to muscular compensation and dysfunction.
The Effects of Hallux Rigidus
The inability of the great toe to extend causes a chain reaction the moves up through the body. Decrease in great toe extension → shortening of the plantar fascia which can lead to plantar fasciitis → roll to the outside of the foot to compensate for lack of motion → leads to front and inside knee pain → heel lifts early → limits hip extension → inhibits glutes and allows hip flexors to remain shorten → low back makes up for lack of extension → which can result in low back pain.
As you can see through this diagram, decreased toe motion can lead to dysfunction throughout the body. Maintaining great toe mobility and extending properly while walking will help to decrease injury and prevent muscular imbalance.
If you have any questions about toe function, foot pain, ankle mobility or more, come into one of our Washington locations for a free 15-minute consultation with one of our docs.
Still hungry for more? Follow us on Facebook or Instagram. Better yet, come into one of our clinics to learn even more!
