Foot Deformities

Foot deformities can be divided into the following forms:

  • Clubfoot (ICD-10-GM Q66.0: Pes equinovarus congenitus; congenital; pes equinovarus, supinatus, excavatus et adductus; ICD-10-GM Q66.1: Pes calcaneovarus congenitus; ICD-10-GM M21.5-: Acquired claw hand, club hand, acquired claw foot, and club foot).
  • Sickle foot (ICD-10-GM Q66.2: Pes adductus (congenitus)); usually congenital).
  • Splay toe (ICD-10-GM Q66.3: Other congenital varus deformities of the feet hallux varus congenitus).
  • Hooked bent foot (ICD-10-GM Q66.4: Pes calcaneovalgus congenitus).
  • Flatfoot (ICD-10-GM Q66.5: Pes planus congenitus; pes planus, ink eraser foot, swing foot; congenital; ICD-10-GM M21.4: Flatfoot [pes planus] (acquired); ICD-10-GM M21.61: Acquired buckling flatfoot [pes planovalgus]).
  • Bending flat foot, flat foot (ICD-10-GM Q66.6: Other congenital valgus deformities of the feet; pes valgus, metatarsus valgus).
  • Hollow foot (ICD-10-GM Q66.7: Pes cavus; pes excavatus; congenital/acquired).
  • Hackfoot , Pointed foot, Splayfoot (ICD-10-GM Q66.8: Other congenital deformities of the feet; pes equinus; pes transversoplanus; congenital/acquired ; pes calcaneus; congenital/acquired; ICD-10-GM M21.62: Acquired pointed foot [pes equinus]; ICD-10-GM M21.63: Acquired splayfoot).
  • Drop foot (ICD-10-GM M21.37: Drop hand or drop foot (acquired): ankle and foot [tarsus, metatarsus, toes, ankle, other joints of foot]; drop foot; acquired; drop foot)

Among the most common congenital deformities is clubfoot and among the most common acquired foot deformities is splayfoot. In infants, the sickle foot is among the most common foot deformities. Gender ratio: clubfoot: boys to girls is 3: 1. Sickle foot: boys are more frequently affected than girls. Splayfoot: Females are affected more often than males. Frequency peak: Splayfoot occurs mainly in newborns and disappears spontaneously (by itself) after a few days. Splayfoot usually occurs in the second half of life. The prevalence of congenital foot deformities is 3-4% (in Germany). The prevalence for congenital clubfoot is 0.1-0.2% and adult acquired flatfoot (pes planovalgus) is 15-19%. The incidence (frequency of new cases) of clubfoot is 1-2 cases per 1,000 newborns per year in Central Europe and North America and 0.5-1 cases per 1,000 newborns per year in East Asia. Course and prognosis: Foot deformities can be treated/corrected with custom orthopedic footwear depending on the type. In more severe cases, surgery is required. The heel foot is usually a harmless foot deformity with a good prognosis. In the acquired form, a complete cure is usually not possible, but improvement can be achieved through physiotherapy or surgery. In the context of the hollow foot, sprains occur more frequently because the foot twists more easily. Likewise, the gait of the affected person is unsteady. The course of high arch can be progressive (advancing). However, early therapy can positively influence the foot malposition. More severe congenital foot deformities include clubfoot and flatfoot, which require intensive and often multidisciplinary therapy. Both forms can be risk factors for secondary foot problems. Clubfoot can be unilateral or bilateral (bilateral in 50% of cases) with varying degrees of severity. If therapy is performed early and consistently, the prognosis is good. Congenital flatfoot is rather rare. In about 50% of cases, it occurs in combination with other deformities. An untreated congenital flatfoot impairs the later ability to walk. Surgery can correct this. Acquired flatfoot will not cause any discomfort later on. Often, a bent foot occurs in conjunction with a flat or flat foot. A bent foot can lead to bow or knock-knees if left untreated. A flat foot can lead to pain due to overloading of the weak foot muscles as well as knee damage, heel spurs, intervertebral disc and back problems. A very common deformity is the bent flat foot (bent flat foot). Sickle foot often occurs on both sides. There is no pain or restriction of movement. Sickle foot often disappears spontaneously. If left untreated, a pointed foot leads to problems when walking and, in the long term, to damage to the skeletal system. Therapy is often protracted.Only in rare cases does the pointed foot regress. Splayfoot is usually harmless. If left untreated, a hallux valgus (crooked toe; crooked position of the big toe), among other things, can develop.