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The term “cavovarus” refers to a foot with an arch that is higher than normal, and that turns in at the heel. Weakness in the peroneal muscles and sometimes the small muscles in the foot are often the cause of a cavovarus foot deformity. As the deformity worsens, there can be increasing pain at the ankle due to recurrent sprains, painful calluses at the side of the foot or base of the toes, or difficulty with shoe wear.

When the ankle joint lacks flexibility and upward, toes-to-shin movement of the foot (dorsiflexion) is limited, the condition is called equinus. Equinus is a result of tightness in the Achilles tendon or calf muscles (the soleus muscle and/or gastrocnemius muscle) and it may be either congenital or acquired. This condition is found equally in men and women, and it can occur in one foot, or both.