The impact of the first ray in the cavovarus foot.

Complete surgical rehabilitation of the cavoid foot type is predicated on uncoiling of the flexible tripod. Although there is a need to perform hindfoot fusion operations to reduce the height of the arch and rebalance the foot, the impact of the first ray on the morphology and presentation of the cavus foot is weighty. Because of the strategic position of the first ray as the medial pillar of the foot, surgical treatment of the cavoid foot type almost always includes repositioning of the first ray. The effect of these procedures can be realized immediately in the case of bony operations or more slowly in the event that tendon transfers have been used.