Current advancements in diagnosing and managing cavovarus foot in paediatric patients

Abstract

The cavovarus foot is an acquired foot deformity with an incidence of about 1:100 000. It is caused by progressive forefoot pronation, resulting in a high-arched medial and mid-foot shape and a compensatory varus of the hindfoot (1) (Figs. 1 and 2). The aetiology of the cavovarus foot is complex to state. According to the current research, the main factor leading to a cavovarus foot is the imbalance of muscle strength, and the most common pathogenic factor is hereditary motor sensory neuropathy, found in 66% of children with high-arch malformation (2). Other factors include myelomeningocele, poliomyelitis, residual malformation of horseshoe feet, and post-traumatic cavovarus feet (3, 4). Cavovarus is not a single planar deformity but a three-dimensional planar deformity of the foot. Foot deformities are complex, requiring careful assessment of medical history, physical examination, and imaging analysis to fully evaluate children’s cavovarus deformity.

Keywords

• cavovarus foot
• conservative treatment
• v osteotomy
• surgical treatment
• paediatric