Search results

The human foot is a complex structure, which includes bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, soft tissues, nerves and veins. It supports the weight of the whole body and helps one to walk, run, and jump. Ankle and foot biomechanical functions that are interrupted by various pathological deformities lead to pain or other deformities, and result in difficulties during mobility. Foot problems are very common in children and adults. In this article, attempts are made to explore the clinical aspects of the most common foot and ankle deformities and their management by children and adults. Foot deformities may be congenital or acquired, and may involve arthritis conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. In children, congenital clubfoot, cavus, and flat feet are the most common disorders and can be treated by non-operative means or surgical management. Hallux valgus and rigidus, lesser toe deformities, and arthritis are mostly present with or without pain in the adult population.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common diseases around the world, and mainly affects the foot among the human body parts. The main causes of the diabetic foot are neuropathy, peripheral arterial disease and foot deformities; it leads to foot ulceration. Generally, sensory loss, high plantar pressure, foot deformities, inappropriate footwear, blindness, and age are the causing risk factors for developing foot ulceration in diabetic patients. Foot ulceration will result in prolonged hospitalization, high medical expenses, and serious complications with lower extremity amputation. For a long time, appropriate footwear has been recommended by physicians for reducing plantar pressure to prevent foot ulceration, the risk of amputation, and re-ulceration. A review is provided in this article towards the existing literature on the causes and prevalence of the diabetic foot, foot ulceration, off-loading pressure, footwear modification for different types of diabetic foot deformities, and types of footwear and textile materials used in footwear insoles for healing purposes.