With a splayfoot the transverse bulge of the forefoot disppears and causing, according to the degree of severity, the foot to be strained on pressure-used places. The forefoot is broadened, the metatarsal bones splay fan-shaped, often accompanied by a painful callused protrusion that is tender on pressure. Because of the pains the normal rolling mechanism of the foot is disturbed and the patient instinctively malpositions his foot causing the shoe to become crooked and bent outwardly.
The causes are manifold, such as occupational over-straining, e.g. standing for a long time or rapid, extreme increase in weight, e.g. with pregnancies. And also unsuitable shoes - especially with women - by the unnatural steep position of the foot in high-heeled shoes or injuries. Although the splayfoot is the most common foot disorder the cause can also be a congenital malposition or paralyses and bone diseases.
A lasting disimpaction of a sunken-in traverse arch is usually not achieved by either preservative or surgical measures. To treat foot malpositions preservative measures are taken, whereas accompanying toe deformities are corrected surgically.
- relieving pressure sores with a retrocapital splayfoot inlay
- avoiding tight and high-heeled shoes
- foot gymnastics
- with painful, inflammatory irritations resting, alternate cold and hot baths, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs.