The spectrum of normal variations of children's feet is extremely broa
d and often difficult to separate from pathological conditions. Especi
ally the flexible flatfoot and the pes adductus normally disappear dur
ing growth, and even if they do persist up to adult life, they hardly
have any pathological significance. It therefore appears proper to see
foot deformities of children from the prognosis point of view, that i
s, to differentiate between a benign, pain-free course of development
with no functional restriction even under load, and pathological defor
mities which systematically require conservative or surgical therapy.
However, definite pathological conditions like pes equinovarus, talus
verticalis, or foot deformities due to development of defects, without
therapy lead in most cases to well-known deformations and often to pa
inful functional disorders. Early detection and treatment can contribu
te to a favorable prognosis in many cases.