Anatomy
The foot consists of many corresponding joints that together form a functional unit. In the foot, one can distinguish the medial and lateral columns of the foot, as well as distinguish the hindfoot, metatarsus and forefoot. The foot shows a longitudinal and a transverse arch.
Pathogenesis (disease development) of the heel foot (pes calcaneus)
Hacked foot refers to the steep position of the heel caused by a failure of the calf muscles.
Etiology (causes) of the heelfoot
Disease-related causes.
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99).
- Severing of the Achilles tendon
Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99).
- Damage to the tibial nerve (tibial nerve).
Injuries, poisoning, and other consequences of external causes (S00-T98).
- Excessive Achilles tendon lengthening
Pathogenesis (development of disease) of slouch foot
Suspended foot refers to the inability to actively lift the foot. It is caused by paralysis of the foot extensors.
Etiology (causes) of slouch foot
Disease-related causes.
Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).
- Diphtheria (croup)
- Poliomyelitis (polio)
Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99)
- Herniated disc in the region of the L5 nerve root.
- Pressure damage to the peroneal nerve at the fibular head (head of the fibula) [with damage to the common peroneal nerve leading to failure of the foot and toe extensors and pronation/inward rotation of the foot].
- Neuromuscular diseases such as amytrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS; degenerative disease of the motor nervous system).
Pathogenesis (disease development) of the hollow foot (pes cavus, pes excavatus)
Hollow foot refers to the foot deformity in which the longitudinal arch of the foot is reinforced.
Etiology (causes) of high arch
Biographic causes
- Genetic burden
- Genetic diseases
- Friedreich’s ataxia (FA; Friedreich’s disease) – genetic disorder with autosomal recessive inheritance; degenerative disease of the central nervous system leading, among other things, to movement disorder; most common inherited form of ataxia (movement disorder); disease generally begins in childhood or early adulthood.
- Spina bifida – cleft formation in the spine that occurs during embroynal development (sporadic, rarely familial occurrence).
- Genetic diseases
Causes related to disease
Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99)
- Paralysis of the muscles of the inner foot.
- Muscular atrophy (muscle atrophy)
Pathogenesis (disease development) of clubfoot (pes equinovarus, supinatus, excavatus et adductus)
Congenital (congenital) clubfoot represents a very complex foot deformity with the following components:
- Adductus (sickle foot)
- Equinus (pointed foot)
- Excavatus (hollow foot)
- Rearfoot varus – inwardly curved calcaneus.
- Supinatus – raised inner edge of the foot.
Clubfoot is caused by a malgrowth of the bones due to various causes. In addition to the most common, the congenital form, there is also the acquired form, the so-called neurogenic clubfoot. This is usually caused by a disturbance of the nerve supply.
Etiology (causes) of clubfoot
Biographic causes
- Genetic burden from parents, grandparents
- Genetic diseases
- Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) – rare clinical picture, which is characterized by joint stiffness or dislocation in muscle atrophy; image of the “wooden doll”; in addition to sporadic forms, familial forms occur; these are in part, like the familial forms, mostly hereditary (e.g., autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive or X-linked).
- Spina bifida – cleft formation in the spine, which occurs during embroynal development; leads to clubfoot via a failure of the musculature (sporadic, rarely familial occurrence).
- Genetic diseases
Causes related to disease
Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99)
- Infantile cerebral palsy – neurologic disorder whose causative damage to the central nervous system occurs before, during, or immediately after birth.
- Paralysis below the nerve root L3/4 leads to clubfoot (= neurogenic clubfoot) via a failure of the musculature.
Pathogenesis (disease development) of the bent foot (pes valgus)
Knee foot refers to the valgus setting (part farther from the body points away from the midline beyond normal) of the hindfoot. In most cases, the bent foot is combined with a flat foot (flattened longitudinal arch). Frequently, a splayfoot also occurs.
Etiology (causes) of the bent foot
Disease-related causes.
Congenital malformations, deformities, and chromosomal abnormalities (Q00-Q99).
- Fibula agenesis/fibula hypoplasia – nonattachment/defective attachment of the fibula.
Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic disorders (E00-E90).
- Obesity (obesity)
- Rickets (softening of the bones)
Infectious and parasitic diseases (A00-B99).
- Inflammation, unspecified
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99).
- Severing of the Achilles tendon
Psyche – nervous system (F00-F99; G00-G99).
- Infantile cerebral palsy – neurological disorder whose causative damage to the central nervous system occurs before, during, or immediately after birth.
Injuries, poisonings, and other consequences of external causes (S00-T98).
- Trauma (injury), unspecified
- Condition after ankle injuries
Other causes
- General ligament weakness
Pathogenesis (disease development) of flatfoot (pes planus)
Flatfoot refers to the steep position of the talus (ankle bone) with the calcaneus (heel bone) raised.The deformity most often associated with dysfunction of the tibialis posterior tendon and damage to the ligamentum calcaneonaviculare plantare (spring ligament).
Etiology (causes) of flatfoot
Biographic causes
- Genetic burden from parents, grandparents
- Genetic diseases
- Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) – rare clinical picture, which is characterized by joint stiffness or dislocation in muscle atrophy; image of the “wooden doll”; in addition to sporadic forms, familial forms occur; these are in part, like the familial forms, mostly hereditary (e.g., autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive or X-linked).
- Spina bifida – cleft formation in the spine that occurs during embroynal development (sporadic, rarely familial occurrence).
- Genetic diseases
Causes due to disease
- Neuromuscular diseases
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Traumas
Pathogenesis (disease development) of fallen arches
Drop foot is usually caused by weakness of the foot muscles that normally support the arch of the foot.
Etiology (causes) of flat foot (pes adductus)
Behavioral causes
- Low-mobility lifestyle (= immobilization of the feet in shoes. This often prevents the necessary training stimulus on the foot muscles).
Pathogenesis (disease development) of sickle foot (pes adductus)
Sickle foot refers to increased adduction of the midfoot and toes.
Etiology (causes) of sickle foot
Biographic causes
- Genetic burden from parents, grandparents.
Behavioral causes
- Infants who are predominantly in the prone position.
Causes related to disease
Further
- Condition after therapy for clubfoot
Pathogenesis (disease development) of pointed foot (pes equinus)
Pointed foot refers to an elevation of the heel; complete planting of the foot is not possible
Etiology (causes) of pointed foot
Disease-related causes
Psyche – Nervous System (F00-F99; G00-G99).
- Infantile cerebral palsy – neurologic disorder whose causative damage to the central nervous system occurs before, during, or immediately after birth
Injuries, poisonings, and other consequences of external causes (S00-T98).
- Posttraumatic after injuries
Other causes
- Immobility without support of the foot
- Bandages that leave the foot in a pointed foot position for prolonged periods of time
- Condition after lower leg lengthening
Pathogenesis (disease development) of splayfoot (pes transversoplanus)
Splayfoot refers to the lowering of the transverse arch of the foot.
Etiology (causes) of splayfoot
Behavioral causes
- Unsuitable footwear
Disease-related causes
Endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases (E00-E90).
- Obesity (obesity)