The aim of this study was to observe the effects of kinesiotaping and joint mobilization on the metatarsophalangeal joint angle and pain in hallux valgus patients Twenty-one female hallux valgus patients in their 20s were divided into two groups, a Kinesiotaping group (KT, n=10) and another group with the addition of joint mobilization (KTJM, n=11). After undergoing 6 weeks of intervention, the change in the metatarsophalangeal joint and pain were measured. Metatarsophalangeal joint angle was significantly increased both the KT and the KTMJ group after intervention. In the change of pain, both the KT and KTJM groups on an individual basis also experienced a significant decrease in pain, though comparison between the two groups failed to represent a significant difference. These findings suggest that Kinesiotatping and joint mobilization increased the joint angle and reduced pain.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of goniometer measurements of the hallux valgus angle (HVA) compared to radiographic measurements, which are the current standard. Twenty subjects (10 female, 10 male) were recruited for this study (40 feet). The HVA of the subjects was measured using goniometer and radiographic measurement. In three trials, measurements were taken of each subject by two examiners using goniometer and radiographic measurements using radiography in a standing position. The reliability of the measurements was investigated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC(3,1)), and the validity was tested using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and an independent t-test. The intra-rater reliability of left and right HVAs were poor (ICC=.409 and .341, respectively). The inter-rater reliability of left and right HVAs were poor and moderate (ICC=.303 and .501, respectively). Left and right HVAs measured using goniometer and radiographic measurements were also poor and moderate (Pearson r=.246 and .544, respectively). These results suggest that goniometer measurements of the HVA are inaccurate and have unacceptable validity compared to radiographic measurements.