Windlass and Reverse Windlass Effects of Hicks The "windlass effect", first described by John Hicks 65 years ago, involves dorsiflexion of the hallux, which, in turn, causes raising of the medial longitudinal arch. Hicks described that in both living and cadaver feet that the plantar fascia, by winding around the "drum" of the first metatarsal head with hallux dorsiflexion, was the primary cause of medial arch raising with hallux dorsiflexion (Hicks JH: The mechanics of the foot. II. The plantar