Meary's angle

Last revised by Michael Sorhage on 11 Jul 2023

Meary's angle or the (lateral) talus-first metatarsal angle has been used to identify the apex of deformity in patients with pes cavus and pes planus on lateral weight-bearing foot radiographs.

Measurement

It is the angle between a line drawn along the longitudinal axes of the talus (mid-talar axis) and the first metatarsal (first metatarsal axis).

Interpretation

In the standard weight-bearing foot, the midline axis of the talus is in line with the midline axis of the first metatarsal. Typically, Meary's angle is 0º, with abnormal values considered 3:

It can be used to classify the severity of deformity 3:

  • mild: <15º

  • moderate: 15-30º 

  • severe: >30º

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