Diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot in children

Abstract During the skeletal development of the axis and foot of the child physiological specialties can occur. Those are thick fatty sole, increased valgus in the ankle joint, tibial varus as a toddler with first varus, later on valgus in the knee, increased laxity of the ligaments, increased anteversion of the femoral neck with "kneeing in" and "toeing in", and with knees first in flexion, later on hyperextension. The knowledge of those specialties is important to be able to diagnose and treat deformities of the foot during childhood. Included are club foot, flexible flatfoot, vertical talus, pes adductus, equinus, cavus foot and talipes calcaneovalgus. If treated at the right time, those disorders of the feet can resolve completely. If an operation can't be avoided, the indication has to be chosen with care.