Sagittal plane blockage of the foot and ankle : prevalence and association with low back pain

Abstract

There is a growing base of evidence demonstrating the important relationship between altered mechanics of the lower limb and low back pain. Sagittal plane blockage, specifically at the first metatarsophalangeal joints but also at the ankle joints, has been implicated as playing a role in the process of chronic mechanical low back pain. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a link could be found between chronic mechanical low back pain and sagittal plane blockage of the feet and ankles.