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Structural Foot Deformities

Structural Foot Deformities

The shape of your foot affects how you stand, walk and move, and how much load passes through your ankles, knees, hips and back. When the bones, joints or soft tissues of the foot are out of their usual alignment, it can lead to pain, instability, corns and calluses, and difficulty finding shoes that fit.

At East Gosford Podiatry, we assess and manage a wide range of structural foot deformities. Treatment is aimed at reducing pain, improving how your foot functions and stopping problems from getting worse.

What is a structural foot deformity?

A structural foot deformity is a change in the shape or alignment of the foot. Some people are born with them or inherit a foot type from their parents. Others develop them over time, through injury, arthritis, diabetes, nerve or muscle conditions, or years of wearing footwear that squeezes the foot.

Not every deformity causes problems. Many people have flat feet or high arches and never have pain. Treatment is usually needed when the foot shape starts causing pain, affects how you walk, or creates pressure points that lead to skin problems.

Common structural foot deformities

  • Flat feet (pes planus)

    Flat feet occur when the arch is low or collapses when you stand, so most of the sole touches the ground. Flat feet are one of the most common foot types and often cause no trouble at all. When they do, symptoms can include tired, aching feet, arch or heel pain, and strain through the ankles, shins and knees. Treatment may include orthotics, strengthening exercises and supportive footwear.

  • High arches (cavus foot)

    A high-arched foot concentrates pressure on the heel and ball of the foot and tends to absorb shock poorly. This can lead to forefoot and heel pain, calluses, claw toes and repeated ankle sprains. High arches can be inherited or linked to a nerve or muscle condition, so a proper assessment is important. Cushioned footwear, orthotics and, in some cases, ankle bracing can help.

    Learn more about high arches

  • Charcot foot

    Charcot foot is a serious complication of nerve damage, most often seen in people with diabetes. The bones of the foot weaken and fracture, often without pain, and the foot can collapse if it isn’t protected early. A warm, red, swollen foot in someone with diabetes or neuropathy should always be assessed on the same day.

    Learn more about Charcot foot

  • Claw toes

    Claw toes bend upwards at the joint where the toe meets the foot and downwards at the middle and end joints, so the toes curl into a claw shape. They’re often caused by muscle imbalance, high arches or nerve damage. Claw toes rub on shoes and press into the ground, causing corns, calluses and pain in the ball of the foot. Padding, footwear changes, orthotics and exercises can help, with surgery an option for severe cases.

    Learn more about claw toes

  • Bunions and hammer toes

    Bunions (a bony bump at the base of the big toe) and hammer toes (a smaller toe bent at the middle joint) are also common structural changes, particularly as we age. Both are influenced by genetics, footwear and arthritis, and both can make shoes uncomfortable and lead to corns.

  • Not sure what’s causing your foot pain?

    Our podiatrists can assess your foot structure, explain what’s going on and recommend the right treatment for you.

    Book an appointment

    Or call 02 4325 0600

Signs your foot structure may be causing problems

It’s worth having your feet assessed if you notice:

  • Ongoing pain in your feet, ankles, shins or knees
  • Feet that tire or ache quickly when standing or walking
  • A change in the shape of your foot or toes
  • Corns or calluses that keep coming back in the same spot
  • Shoes wearing unevenly or becoming hard to fit
  • Frequent ankle rolling or feeling unsteady on your feet

How are foot deformities diagnosed?

Diagnosis starts with a thorough assessment by one of our podiatrists, which may include:

  • Clinical examination of foot structure, joint movement, muscle strength and areas of pain
  • Biomechanical assessment of how your feet and legs move when you stand, walk or run
  • Footwear assessment, including wear patterns that show how load passes through your feet
  • Imaging such as X-ray or ultrasound, where needed, to look at bone alignment and soft tissue

How Are Foot Deformities Diagnosed?

Diagnosing a foot deformity starts with a comprehensive assessment by our podiatrists at East Gosford Podiatry.
This may include:

  • Clinical Examination – Assessing foot structure, joint movement, and areas of pain.
  • Biomechanical Assessment – Analysing gait (walking pattern), weight distribution, and foot posture to identify abnormalities.
  • Foot Pressure Analysis – Using pressure mapping to detect uneven weight-bearing or imbalances.
  • Imaging Tests – X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds may be used to assess bone structure, joint alignment, and soft tissue issues.

How to Improve Foot Structure

Improving foot structure involves a combination of strengthening, support, and, in some cases, medical intervention. While some structural deformities are inherited and cannot be fully reversed, targeted treatments can enhance function, reduce discomfort, and prevent further complications. Talk to our podiatrists about how they can help you with your foot structure.

Treatment options for structural foot deformities

Custom orthotics

Custom orthotics support the foot, redistribute pressure away from painful areas and improve how the foot moves. They’re one of the most effective treatments for symptomatic flat feet, high arches and toe deformities.

Footwear advice

The right shoes make a big difference. We’ll recommend footwear with the support, cushioning and depth your foot type needs, such as firmer support for flat feet, extra cushioning for high arches, or a deeper toe box for claw toes and bunions.

Strengthening and stretching

Targeted exercises can improve muscle strength, flexibility and control in the feet and lower legs. We’ll give you a simple home programme suited to your foot type and activity level.

Padding, splinting and bracing

Toe props, protective padding and splints can relieve pressure on corns and painful joints. Ankle braces may help where a deformity is causing instability.

Surgical referral

If pain or deformity continues to affect your daily life despite conservative treatment, we can refer you to a surgeon to discuss options such as tendon procedures, joint realignment or joint fusion.

Can foot deformities be corrected?

In adults, most structural foot deformities can’t be fully reversed without surgery, but the symptoms they cause can usually be managed very well. The aim of treatment is to relieve pain, improve function and slow or prevent the deformity from progressing.

In children, the picture is different. Many children have flat feet that improve naturally as they grow, and some foot shape problems respond well to early treatment. If you’re concerned about your child’s feet, an assessment can tell you whether anything needs to be done.

When to see a podiatrist

If you have ongoing foot pain, difficulty walking or changes in the shape of your feet or toes, a podiatrist can work out what’s causing the problem and recommend the right treatment. Early care can stop a deformity from getting worse and keep you moving comfortably.

Our team sees patients from across the Central Coast, including Gosford, Wyoming, Erina, Terrigal and Green Point. Book an appointment with East Gosford Podiatry or call us on 02 4325 0600 to discuss your concerns.

We Accept Patients from all over the Central Coast

If you are in East Gosford and surrounding suburbs and are in need of a Podiatry appointment due to lower limb or feet issues you may need orthotics. Please contact our clinic on (02) 4325 0600

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