ABSTRACT
The high-arched cavus foot and the flat planus foot have some important features in common. First, they are not diagnoses but phenotypes, representing the summation of various biomechanical changes in the complex kinematic coupling of the foot. Failure to recognize all of these alterations will affect the success of surgery. Second, many abnormalities may be present, so it is important to recognize those that are symptomatic, those that may be become symptomatic and also occasionally those that are asymptomatic but require correction nonetheless. Many severely deformed feet will remain totally trouble-free and require no treatment. Finally, both have a number of different causes that are quite disparate in their nature and natural history; therefore, there is no ‘one-rule-for-all’.
