Un juanete aparece cuando el dedo gordo se desvía y la articulación de su base sobresale. El dedo en martillo se dobla en una articulación; los dedos en garra, en más de una. El pie plano tiene un arco bajo o ausente. Muchos son indoloros, pero un arco que colapsa en un adulto puede indicar falla de tendones y ligamentos.

Estas alteraciones pueden presentarse juntas. El tratamiento depende menos de la apariencia que del dolor, las lesiones de piel, la progresión y la pérdida de función.

Foot deformities develop slowly. People buy wider shoes, stop activities, or blame corns and calluses, without noticing how much their walking has changed.

Some are dismissed as cosmetic. Shoes aggravate pain, but inherited structure, arthritis, neuromuscular disease, tendon problems, and injury may contribute.

Flat feet are especially confusing. A lifelong, flexible, painless flatfoot differs from an arch that begins collapsing in adulthood with pain or weakness along the inside of the ankle. The second pattern deserves evaluation because early treatment may slow progression.

Bunions may cause a bump, redness, swelling, limited big-toe motion, shoe pain, or aching under the forefoot. The big toe may crowd neighboring toes.

Hammertoes and claw toes may remain flexible at first and later become rigid. Symptoms include curled toes, rubbing, corns, calluses, pain under the forefoot, and difficulty finding shoes with enough depth.

Flat feet may cause no symptoms. When symptomatic, people may notice arch or heel pain, fatigue, swelling along the inner ankle, reduced endurance, or difficulty standing on one foot and rising onto the toes. A progressive deformity may make the foot wider and the heel angle outward.

Seek prompt care for a red, hot, rapidly swollen foot, particularly if you have diabetes or neuropathy. Infection, gout, fracture, or Charcot foot may resemble an ordinary flare.
A new wound, drainage, spreading redness, black or blue skin, fever, or foul odor needs urgent evaluation. So do sudden deformity after injury, inability to bear weight, a cold or numb foot, or rapidly increasing weakness.
Arrange a non-emergency evaluation when a deformity progresses, pain limits activity, calluses keep returning, toes become rigid, shoes repeatedly cause sores, or one adult arch begins to collapse. Children with painful, rigid flat feet also deserve assessment.

Genetics cannot be exchanged for a different model, and established deformities are not usually reversed by exercises or shoe inserts. The practical goals are to reduce pressure, maintain flexibility and strength, protect the skin, and preserve activity.

Choose shoes shaped like the foot, with adequate width and a deep toe box. Toes should move without being squeezed, and the heel should feel secure. Shop later in the day when feet may be slightly larger, measure both feet, and fit the larger one. Do not depend on the size printed inside the shoe; brands enjoy creative interpretation.

Pads, spacers, arch supports, or orthoses may improve comfort but do not permanently straighten a bunion. Stretching, mobility, and strengthening may help function. Managing weight, activity, arthritis, and diabetes can reduce complications.

Do not cut corns or calluses with a blade. People with diabetes, neuropathy, poor circulation, or previous ulcers should seek professional foot care.

Surgery is generally considered for persistent pain or disability after nonsurgical treatment—not to make the foot look prettier or fit narrow shoes. Procedures and recovery differ, so expectations need discussion.