Which foot deformity is commonly observed in sacral lesions?

Which foot deformity is commonly observed in sacral lesions?

• A. Pes cavus-high arch with toe clawing
• B. Pes planus
• C. Calcaneovalgus
• D. Metatarsus adductus

Answer: (A)

Sacral lesions tend to cause a neurogenic pattern in the foot where intrinsic foot muscles are weak or paralyzed, leading to an imbalance of forces across the sole. This imbalance often results in a high-arched foot (pes cavus) with toe clawing, a classic combination seen with sacral level involvement in spina bifida. The long toe flexors can overpower the weakened intrinsic muscles, producing clawing, while the loss of intrinsic support contributes to the cavus deformity. Other foot deformities listed are less characteristic of sacral lesions: flat feet (pes planus) and calcaneovalgus reflect different patterns of neuromuscular involvement or development, and metatarsus adductus is typically a positional/innate infancy deformity rather than a neurogenic change from sacral lesions.

Sacral lesions tend to cause a neurogenic pattern in the foot where intrinsic foot muscles are weak or paralyzed, leading to an imbalance of forces across the sole. This imbalance often results in a high-arched foot (pes cavus) with toe clawing, a classic combination seen with sacral level involvement in spina bifida. The long toe flexors can overpower the weakened intrinsic muscles, producing clawing, while the loss of intrinsic support contributes to the cavus deformity. Other foot deformities listed are less characteristic of sacral lesions: flat feet (pes planus) and calcaneovalgus reflect different patterns of neuromuscular involvement or development, and metatarsus adductus is typically a positional/innate infancy deformity rather than a neurogenic change from sacral lesions.