Home Functional Hallux Limitus Research Communication
Research
Publications, lectures and scientific library
More than fifteen years of clinical research on FHL. This page brings together the international scientific publications, the introductory video presentations and the full sessions of the 2013 and 2023 Medicol Congresses, held at the Musée Olympique in Lausanne.
international scientific
publications
Medicol Congresses
2013 and 2023
thematic sessions
at the 2023 congress
first scientific
publication on FHL
An introduction to FHL in three formats
To discover FHL, three video formats are available depending on how much time you wish to devote. The first is a very short introduction, accessible to any audience. The second covers the clinical correlations as a complement. The third is a long presentation for healthcare professionals who want an exhaustive overview.
Introduction (2 min 26) — what is FHL.
Clinical correlations (9 min 43) — the issues raised by FHL, Medicol.
Full presentation (47 min) — a complete presentation of FHL.
Worth noting
A recent presentation was given at the Orthofoot Club 2025 on the clinical implications and diagnosis of FHL. The replay is available on request from the Centre du pied.
Scientific publications
Thirteen international scientific publications have documented FHL since 2008. Three founding articles defined the pathology, the anatomy of the retro-talar pulley and the tenodesis effect. More recent publications extend the indications, notably in combined management with ACL reconstruction.
2010 · founding
Functional Hallux Limitus or Rigidus Caused by a Tenodesis Effect at the Retrotalar Pulley
Vallotton J., Echeverri S., Dobbelaere-Nicolas V. — American Journal of Podiatry, vol. 100 no. 3, pp. 220-229
2019 · founding
Identification of the retrotalar pulley of the Flexor Hallucis Longus tendon
Tzioupis C., Oliveto A., Grabherr S., Vallotton J., Riederer BM. — Journal of Anatomy, May 2019
2025 · scientific
Why tenolysis of the flexor hallucis longus tendon combined with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction can improve the patient’s dynamic balance and well-being
Olden TR., Vallotton J. — Maîtrise Orthopédique no. 309
2022 · scientific
Endoscopic flexor hallucis tenolysis combined with ACL reconstruction allows better function and return to high sporting activities
Olden TR., Vallotton J. — Maîtrise Orthopédique Europe, no. 16, pp. 40-47
2021 · scientific
Functional hallux rigidus in high level athletes, arthroscopic repair by flexor hallucis longus debridement
Carpenter B., Gentile M., Hagenbucher J. R. — Journal of International Foot and Ankle Foundation
2020 · scientific
Endoscopic tenolysis of the Flexor Hallucis Longus tendon, surgical technique
Olden TR., Vallotton J. — Journal of Arthroscopy, September 2020
2018 · general public
Functional hallux limitus, when the foot walks badly
Vallotton J. — Magazine Génération, December 2018
2017 · scientific
Positive effect of Flexor hallucis longus release on Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome in patients with Functional Hallux Limitus
Vallotton J., Tzioupis C. — Journal of Arthroscopic and Related Surgery
2017 · scientific
Subtalar arthroscopy in the treatment of Functional Hallux Limitus, a new paradigm shift
Vallotton J., Tzioupis C. — Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery
2015 · general public
Functional hallux limitus, the egg of Columbus of orthopedics
Vallotton J. — Magazine Cliniquement Vôtre, Hirslanden, no. 10, July, pp. 18-19
2014 · scientific
Functional Hallux Limitus, the foot that tires and wears out
Vallotton J. — Revue Médicale Suisse no. 453, pp. 2333-2337
2012 · scientific
Functional hallux limitus
Vallotton J. — Journal Maîtrise Orthopédique no. 216
2008 · scientific
Anterior Knee Pain and Flexor Hallucis Longus Impingement, a close relationship
Vallotton J. — Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, vol. 16 suppl. 1
2008 · scientific
Functional Hallux Limitus or Rigidus, a common denominator to Hallux Rigidus, Hallux Valgus and painful compensatory mechanisms during gait
Vallotton J. — Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy, vol. 16 suppl. 1, pp. S80-S230
Founding articles
Two publications form the scientific pillars of FHL. The 2010 article (Vallotton, Echeverri, Dobbelaere-Nicolas) described the tenodesis effect as the cause of FHL for the first time. The 2019 article (Tzioupis et al.) anatomically identified the retro-talar pulley. These two references are systematically cited in the international literature.
Surgical technique videos
Two video sequences detail the surgical procedure of endoscopic tenolysis of the flexor hallucis longus, the reference technique developed at the Centre du pied.
FHL, surgical treatment — overview of the procedure.
Endoscopic tenolysis of the FHL — technical detail under endoscopy.
Medicol Congress 2023
The 2023 Medicol Congress brought international experts together at the Musée Olympique in Lausanne around FHL. Twenty-three thematic sessions cover the entire spectrum, from anthropology and anatomy to clinical cases and surgical indications.
Medicol Congress 2023
Functional Hallux Limitus, a new paradigm
With the participation of international experts
March 31, 2023 Musée Olympique, Lausanne 23 sessions
23 thematic sessions
Anthropology
Dr Jacques Vallotton
Anatomy
Retro-talar tunnel and pulley
Biomechanics
Consequences for locomotion
Clinical diagnosis
Tests and examination
Imaging
Ultrasound, MRI, CT
Gait assessment
Podiatric analysis
Physiotherapy
Approach and techniques
Podiatry
Assessment and treatment
Osteopathy
For young and old
Foot orthoses
A new concept
Commented surgeries
Live cases
Indications
Decision criteria
Tips and tricks
Associated procedures
The Marseille experience
Field feedback
Knee pain
Link with FHL
Gastrocnemius tightness
Interaction with FHL
Ankle instability
Mechanisms and management
Overload tendinopathies
Consequences of FHL
Hallux Rigidus
From functional to structural
Success of conservative care
Long-term results
The Nantes experience
Field feedback
Clinical cases
Commented case studies
Ultrasound-guided tenolysis
Under ultrasound control
Medicol Congress 2013, English version
The first congress dedicated to FHL, held in 2013, laid the conceptual foundations. Ten sessions are available in English and constitute a historic international reference for the pathology.
Medicol Congress 2013
Functional Hallux Limitus, founding congress
First international meeting on FHL, in English
2013 Lausanne 10 sessions
10 sessions, English version
Introduction
Opening of the congress
Anatomy of the FHL
Tendon and pulley
Biomechanical consequences
FHL impact on locomotion
Coxa pedis and coxa femoris
Interdependence and complementarity
Préhistoire du piéton
Yvette Deloison, guest reader
Diagnostic and clinical implications
Examination and tests
Gait analysis, EMG and podology
Investigations
Conservative, podiatrist’s role
Treatment approach
Conservative, physiotherapist’s role
Treatment approach
Conservative, osteopath’s role
Treatment approach
« More than fifteen years of publications, two international congresses, and a growing community of practitioners. FHL is no longer a hypothesis, it is a recognized and documented pathology. »
Dr Jacques Vallotton, Centre Orthopédique d’Ouchy
Request access to the resources
All the videos from the Medicol congresses are freely accessible for educational purposes, on simple request. The PDF programs of both congresses can also be downloaded. For any scientific or training use, the Centre du pied can provide the materials in high definition.
Access the resources
Request access to the congress videos
To access the full replays of the congress sessions, or for any request for teaching materials, contact the Centre du pied.
At a glance
Publications
13+
First article
2008
Founding articles
2010, 2019
Medicol Congresses
2013, 2023
Sessions 2023
23
Sessions 2013
10 (EN)