Pes Cavus Workup

  • Author: Norman S Turner, MD; Chief Editor: Jason H Calhoun, MD, FACS   more...
 
Updated: Feb 11, 2010
 

Imaging Studies

  • Standing radiography of the feet and ankles is essential. Radiographs should be inspected for evidence of degenerative arthritis, the positioning of the calcaneus, and forefoot alignment. A calcaneal pitch angle can be measured by drawing a line along the plantar aspect of the calcaneus and the ground. An angle greater than 30° is significant for hindfoot varus. The positioning of the first ray compared to the axis of the talus viewed on lateral radiographs determines if the first ray is plantar flexed.
  • A magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the spine should be obtained if unilateral progressive cavus is present in a patient without a history of trauma.
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Other Tests

  • After the initial evaluation, a neurologic consultation is recommended in order to determine the etiology.
  • Electromyography and nerve conduction studies are obtained to evaluate for CMT disease, polio, and other abnormalities that can cause muscle imbalances that lead to cavus deformities.
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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Norman S Turner, MD  Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic School of Medicine

Norman S Turner, MD is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Mid-America Orthopaedic Association, and Minnesota Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Heidi M Stephens, MD, MBA  Associate Professor, Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopedic Surgery, University of South Florida College of Medicine; Courtesy Joint Associate Professor, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of South Florida College of Public Health

Heidi M Stephens, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Medical Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, and Florida Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine

Disclosure: eMedicine Salary Employment

Shepard R Hurwitz, MD  Executive Director, American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery

Shepard R Hurwitz, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American College of Rheumatology, American College of Sports Medicine, American College of Surgeons, American Diabetes Association, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine, Eastern Orthopaedic Association, Orthopaedic Research Society, Orthopaedic Trauma Association, and Southern Orthopaedic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS  Associate Clinical Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School; Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital

Dinesh Patel, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Jason H Calhoun, MD, FACS  Frank J Kloenne Chair in Orthopedic Surgery, Professor and Chair, Department of Orthopedics, The Ohio State University Medical Center

Jason H Calhoun, MD, FACS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American College of Surgeons, American Diabetes Association, American Medical Association, American Orthopaedic Association, American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society, Missouri State Medical Association, Musculoskeletal Infection Society, Southern Medical Association, Southern Orthopaedic Association, Texas Medical Association, and Texas Orthopaedic Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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Pes cavus with severe hindfoot involvement.
Pes cavus with plantarflexion of the first ray.
 
 
 
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