Ground reaction forces under the great toe after implantation of the TOEFIT-PLUS™ prosthesis

Plantar pressure distribution was measured in patients who had received arthroplasty of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (MPJ-1). The goal was to determine whether functionality of the great toe during the active push-off phase in gait was restored after implantation of the prosthesis. The group consisted of 16 patients (13 females, 3 males) of who seven had received hemiarthroplasty and nine total arthroplasty. The mean follow-up time since implantation was 28 months. The force acting under the great toe was calculated from the pressure distribution measured off a Novel EMED foot platform at the moment when the peak push-off force during normal gait was at its maximum. The results showed that 75% of the patients exhibited a force under the great toe during the push-off phase whereas in 25% of the patients no relevant force acted.