Cleft foot Health Dictionary

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Cleft Foot: From 1 Different Sources

A rare congenital abnormality characterised by the absence of one or more toes and a deep central cleft that divides the foot into two. It is sometimes known as lobster foot, or lobster claw. It may be accompanied by other congenital defects, such as CLEFT HAND, absent permanent teeth, CLEFT PALATE (and/or lip), absence of the nails, and defects of the eye.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary

Claw-foot

Claw-foot, or PES CAVUS, is a familial deformity of the foot characterised by an abnormally high arch of the foot accompanied by shortening of the foot, clawing of the toes, and inversion, or turning inwards, of the foot and heel. Its main e?ect is to impair the resilience of the foot resulting in a sti? gait and aching pain. Milder cases are treated with special shoes ?tted with a sponge rubber insole. More severe cases may require surgical treatment.... claw-foot

Club-foot

See TALIPES.... club-foot

Hand, Foot And Mouth Disease

A contagious disease due to infection with coxsackie A16 virus (see COXSACKIE VIRUSES). Most common in children, the incubation period is 3–5 days. It is characterised by an eruption of blisters on the palms and the feet (often the toes), and in the mouth. The disease

has no connection with foot and mouth disease in cattle, deer, pigs and sheep.... hand, foot and mouth disease

Immersion Foot

The term applied to a condition which develops as a result of prolonged immersion of the feet in cold or cool water. It was a condition commonly seen during World War II in shipwrecked sailors and airmen who had crashed into the sea, spending long periods there before being rescued. Such prolonged exposure results in VASOCONSTRICTION of the smaller arteries in the feet, leading to coldness and blueness and ?nally, in severe cases, to ulceration and GANGRENE. (See also TRENCH FOOT.)... immersion foot

Trench Foot

This is due to prolonged exposure of the feet to water – particularly cold water. Trench warfare is a common precipitating factor, and the condition was rampant during World War I. Cases also occurred during World War II and during the Falklands campaign. (The less common form, due to warm-water immersion, occurred with some frequency in the Vietnam war.) It is characterised by painful swelling of the feet accompanied in due course by blistering and ulceration which, in severe, untreated cases, may progress to GANGRENE. In mild cases recovery may be complete in a month, but severe cases may drag on for a year. (See also IMMERSION FOOT.)

Treatment Drying of the feet overnight, where practicable, is the best method of prevention, accompanied by avoidance of constrictive clothing and tight boots, and of prolonged immobility. Frequent rest periods and daily changing of socks also help. The application of silicone grease once a day is another useful preventive measure. In the early stages, treatment consists of rest in bed and warmth; in more severe cases treatment is as for infected tissues and ulceration. ANALGESICS are usually necessary to ease the pain. Technically, smoking should be forbidden, but the adverse psychological effects of this in troops on active service may outweigh its advantages.... trench foot

Athlete’s Foot

Superficial infection of the skin of the feet by a fungus. Ringworm of the feet. Scaly lesions, sometimes with blisters. May be secondary infection from lymphadenitis or cellulitis – in which cases internal treatment would be indicated. Begins between the toes before spreading to plantar surface. Differential diagnosis. Eczema, psoriasis or dermatitis from shoes.

Symptoms. Itchy redness and peeling. Sore raw areas left after removal of patches of skin. Possible invasion of other parts of the body: fingers, palms. The fungus can be picked up walking bare-feet in sport’s clubs, schools or swimming baths. Worse in warm weather. Resistant to cleansing.

Treatment. Tablets/capsules. Echinacea, Thuja, Poke root.

Formula. Echinacea 2; Goldenseal 1; Poke root half. Mix. Dose – Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Liquid extracts: one 5ml teaspoon. Tinctures: two 5ml teaspoons. Thrice daily before meals.

Topical. Alternatives:– Thuja lotion applied on lint or suitable material (1 teaspoon Liquid extract Thuja in 1oz (30ml) distilled extract of Witch Hazel. Wild Indigo salve (1 teaspoon Wild Indigo powder in 1oz (30ml) honey – store in screw-top jar.

Aloe Vera, fresh juice or gel.

Tea Tree oil: if too strong may be diluted many times.

Comfrey cream. Castor oil. Mullein oil. Houseleek.

Black Walnut: tincture or Liquid extract. Cider vinegar. Bran bath.

Night foot-wash. With water to which has been added a few drops of tincture Thuja, Myrrh, or Tea

Tree oil.

Light sprinkle of powdered Myrrh or Goldenseal in sock or shoe. ... athlete’s foot

Cleft Palate

A ?ssure in the roof of the mouth (palate) and/ or the lip which is present at birth. It is found in varying degrees of severity in about one in 700 children. Modern plastic surgery can greatly improve the functioning of lips and palate and the appearance of the baby. Further cosmetic surgery later may not be necessary. The parent of the child who has cleft lip and/ or palate will be given detailed advice speci?c to his or her case. In general the team of specialists involved are the paediatrician, plastic surgeon, dentist or orthodontic specialist, and speech therapist. (See PALATE, MALFORMATIONS OF.)... cleft palate

Flat-foot

Flat-foot, or pes planus, is a deformity of the foot in which its arch sinks down so that the inner edge of the foot comes to rest upon the ground.

Causes The disorder may develop in infancy or occur in adult life, usually resulting from a combination of obesity and/or an occupation involving long periods of standing.

Symptoms Often none, but there may be pain along the instep and beneath the outer ankle. The foot is sti? and broad, walking is tiresome, and the toes turn far out.

Treatment A change of occupation may be necessary, to one which allows sitting. In early cases the leg muscles may be strengthened by tiptoe exercises performed for ten minutes night and morning. A pad to support the arch may have to be worn inside the shoe. Rarely, children may require surgery.... flat-foot

Madura Foot

Tropical infection of the foot by deeply invasive fungi which cause chronic swelling and suppuration with multiple discharging sinuses. Antibiotics are of limited value and advanced disease may require amputation of the affected foot.... madura foot

Foot

The foot has 2 vital functions: to support the weight of the body in standing or walking and to act as a lever to propel the body forwards.

The largest bone of the foot, the heelbone (see calcaneus), is jointed with the ankle bone (the talus). In front of the talus and calcaneus are the tarsal bones, which are jointed the 5 metatarsals. The phalanges are the bones of the toes; the big toe has 2 phalanges; all the other toes have 3.

Tendons passing around the ankle connect the muscles that act on the foot bones. The main blood vessels and nerves pass in front of and behind the inside of the ankle to supply the foot. The undersurface of the normal foot forms an arch supported by ligaments and muscles. Fascia (fibrous tissue) and fat form the sole of the foot, which is covered by a layer of tough skin.

Injuries to the foot commonly result in fracture of the metatarsals and phalanges. Congenital foot abnormalities are fairly common and include club-foot (see talipes), and claw-foot. A bunion is a common deformity in which a thickened bursa (fluid-filled pad) lies over the joint at the base of the big toe. Corns are small areas of thickened skin and are usually a result of tight-fitting shoes. Verrucas (see plantar warts) develop on the soles of the feet. Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that mainly affects the skin in between the toes. Gout often affects the joint at the base of the big toe. An ingrowing toenail (see toenail, ingrowing) commonly occurs on the big toe and may result in inflammation and infection of the surrounding tissues (see paronychia). Foot-drop is the inability to raise the foot properly when walking and is the result of a nerve problem.... foot

Athlete’s Foot

A somewhat loose term applied to a skin eruption on the foot, usually between the toes. It is commonly due to RINGWORM, but may be due to other infections or merely excessive sweating of the feet. It usually responds to careful foot hygiene and the use of antifungal powder.... athlete’s foot

Cleft Hand

A rare congenital abnormality characterised by the absence of one or more ?ngers and a deep central cleft that divides the hand into two. It is sometimes known as lobster hand. It may be accompanied by other congenital defects, such as CLEFT FOOT, absent permanent teeth, CLEFT PALATE (and/or lip), absence of the nails and defects of the eye.... cleft hand

Drop Foot

This is the inability to dorsi?ex the foot at the ankle. The foot hangs down and has to be swung clear of the ground while walking. It is commonly caused by damage to the lateral popliteal nerve or the peroneal muscles.... drop foot

Foot Powder

For foot-sweat and general discomfort. Mix into 1oz (30g) cornflour a few drops of any of the following oils, according to personal choice: Lavender, Geranium, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Pine. ... foot powder

Foot-drop

A condition in which the foot cannot be raised properly and hangs limp from the ankle. Neuritis affecting the nerves that supply muscles that move the foot is a common cause and may be due to diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, or a neuropathy. Weakness in the foot muscles can also result from pressure on a nerve (due to a disc prolapse or a tumour) as it leaves the spinal cord. Treatment is of the underlying cause, but in many people the weakness persists. A lightweight plastic caliper splint can be used to keep the foot in place when walking.... foot-drop

Branchial Cleft

see pharyngeal cleft.... branchial cleft

Cleft Lip

(harelip) the congenital deformity of a cleft in the upper lip, on one or both sides of the midline. It occurs when the three blocks of embryonic tissue that go to form the upper lip fail to fuse and it is often associated with a *cleft palate. Medical name: cheiloschisis.... cleft lip

Diabetic Holiday Foot Syndrome

a condition in which patients with diabetic sensory polyneuropathy (see diabetic neuropathy) suffer significant trauma to their insensate feet through holiday activities. These may include walking on hot flagstones or sand and wearing ill-fitting shoes. The condition may be prevented with prior education and advice and by maintaining safe footcare practices.... diabetic holiday foot syndrome

Footling

n. a *breech presentation in which the baby’s feet are presented below its buttocks so that it will be delivered feet first.... footling

Cleft Lip And Palate

A split in the upper lip and/or palate that is present at birth. Cleft lip is a vertical, usually off-centre split in the upper lip that may be a small notch or may extend to the nose. The upper gum may also be cleft, and the nose may be crooked. The term

hare lip refers only to a midline cleft lip, which is rare. Cleft palate is a gap that may extend from the back of the palate to behind the teeth and be open to the nasal cavity. Cleft palate is often accompanied by partial deafness and there may be other birth defects.

Surgery to repair a cleft lip may be undertaken in the first few days after birth or at about 3 months.

It improves appearance; after repair, speech defects are rare.

A cleft palate is usually repaired at about 12 months, but further surgery, orthodontic treatment, and speech therapy may be required.... cleft lip and palate

Hand–foot Syndrome

see palmoplantar erythrodysaesthesia.... hand–foot syndrome

Pharyngeal Cleft

(branchial cleft, visceral cleft) any of the paired segmented clefts in each side of the throat of the early embryo that correspond to the gills of fish. Soon after they have formed they close to form the *pharyngeal pouches, except for the first cleft, which persists as the external auditory meatus.... pharyngeal cleft

Trash Foot

a condition resulting from occlusion of the small arteries of the foot by atherosclerotic debris (see atheroma). This occurs during abdominal aortic surgery or catheter manipulation, for example during coronary angiography. Clinically it presents with pain and eventually patchy ulceration and gangrene of the whole or part of the foot.... trash foot

Visceral Cleft

see pharyngeal cleft.... visceral cleft

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