[The elderly foot].

The aged foot suffers physiologic changes in form and structure to make it substantially more sensible for daily stress. Pathologic changes especially of the forefoot lead to stress-induced pain until final incapacity for stress. Special importance is due to a well-adapted clothing of the foot with a smooth-bedded sole of the foot. The operative treatment of forefoot diseases as there are hallux valgus, claw-toes and splayfoot leads to excellent functional results.