# Risk of Fall in Patients with Functional Hallux Limitus: A Case–Control Study Using an Inertial Measurement Unit

## TL;DR

This study found that asymptomatic functional hallux limitus does not significantly increase fall risk in older adults under controlled conditions.

## Contribution

The study provides new evidence that asymptomatic functional hallux limitus does not significantly impact fall risk in older adults.

## Key findings

- No significant differences were found in mobility, stability, or fear of falling between FHL and control groups.
- Spatiotemporal gait parameters measured with an IMU showed no significant differences between groups.
- Asymptomatic FHL does not appear to be a determining factor for fall risk under controlled conditions.

## Abstract

Functional hallux limitus (FHL) is a biomechanical condition defined by restricted motion of the first metatarsophalangeal joint during walking, which may impair stability and increase fall risk in older adults. This study compared fall risk between patients with asymptomatic FHL and healthy controls using validated assessments. The case–control design included 40 participants over 65 years, divided into 20 with FHL and 20 controls. Mobility was evaluated with the Timed Up and Go Test, postural stability with the Berg Balance Scale, and fear of falling with the Falls Efficacy Scale—International (FES-I). Spatiotemporal gait parameters were measured using an inertial measurement unit (IMU). No significant differences were found between groups in the Timed Up and Go Test (p = 0.694), Berg Balance Scale (p = 0.903), Falls Efficacy Scale—International (p = 0.913), or spatiotemporal parameters. These results suggest that asymptomatic FHL does not significantly affect mobility, stability, or fear of falling in older adults, indicating that it is not a determining factor for fall risk under controlled conditions. Further research is needed in less controlled settings or in patients with painful FHL.