ABSTRACT
Foot deformity may result from a wide range of conditions including post-traumatic, degenerative, infectious, rheumatologic, diabetic, neurological, and congenital disorders. The patient may seek evaluation for symptoms including pain, limited gait, difficulty with footwear, and skin breakdown that may result in limb-threatening infection. Some feet have such extensive soft-tissue compromise or infection that foot salvage is impossible. Nevertheless, deformity correction and foot salvage are often preferred over amputation because of the decreased energy of walking with a natural than a prosthetic leg and body image difficulties that may be associated with amputation.
