[Pathogenesis and treatment of pes adductus]

Based on the literature and our own 143 patients the etiopathogenesis and treatment of metatarsus varus are discussed. The exact scientific proof is still lacking, whether there does exist, besides of the congenital mostly severer metatarsus varus, a slight exogen postnatal form with spontaneous healing, without or with a preceding permanent prone position of the infants. A fixed adductus position of the forefoot represents the indication for stepwise correction of the deformity by means of a plaster cast and additional wedging. It is necessary to produce a slight overcorrection including the typical valgus heel. Afterwards we are striving for strengthening of the foot abductors in order to gain an equilibrium of the musculature as in the treatment of club feet. Our own techniques of correction are demonstrated as well as the results.