The intrinsic minus foot is a foot type that can occur in diabetes when peripheral neuropathy develops. Due to the neuropathy there is a wasting of the intrinsic muscles leading to a clawing of the toes. As the toes claw, the metatarsals plantarflex and with the wasting of the muscle mass in the arch, it gives the appearance of a pes cavus or high arched foot.
This alters the biomechanics of the foot causing a number of complications such as corns on the toes and calluses under the foot that redispose to to ulceration.
