Tuesday, October 6, 2015

Your Feet: What They Look Like Gives Valuable Information

variety of feet and foot structuresA Google search results in over 147,000,000 hits on the subject of feet. Obviously lots of people are interested in learning about this complex and amazing engineering marvel!

Let's start with the basics: The human foot contains 3 arches, 20 muscles, 24 ligaments, 26 bones (your two feet together contain one fourth of all the bones in your body!), 33 joints and 7,800 nerves.

Going a bit deeper, we find that this exceedingly complex structure comes in many shapes, types and sizes – kind of like pets and potato chips.  Some foot structures are pathogenic (disease producing), others are not.

If you are suffering with foot problems and/or chronic muscle and joint pain, it's a smart move to learn more about your own two feet.  Doing so may unlock the key to eliminating your pain for good. 

To help you get started, below are some common foot structures – some are pathogenic, others are not. Maybe one of these is yours:

 flat foot structure Structural Flat Foot – The Structural Flat Foot, though flat as a pancake, does not cause chronic pain.  It may not be pretty, but it's stable and functional.



peasant foot or giselle foot structure Peasant Foot – The Peasant Foot (also called a Giselle Foot) has at least three toes, which are similar in length and tend to be short and stubby. This is a very stable, functional foot and ideal for ballerinas on point.



Egyptian Foot – The Egyptian Foot tends to be a narrow foot.  It has a longer big toe and the rest of the toes taper down from longest to shortest. It is the most functional of all the foot structures. However because of the long big toe, you must be careful in your choice of shoes. 


Greek Foot – Also known as Morton's Foot – The Greek Foot has a second toe longer than all the other toes.  Often there's a big space between the big toe and the second toe. This foot structure has a tendency to be unstable and people with this structure tend to have foot problems.

Famous Greek feet can be seen in the Roman statues of Tiberius and Claudius, the statue of Constantine, Faith in S.Marcello, the Greek God Apollo (all in the Vatican Museum) and the Statue of Liberty in New York.  Interestingly, the Statue of Liberty also has hammer toes – probably from holding on to that pedestal for 150 years! 



simian foot Simian Foot – The Simian Foot has a big toe that is shifted towards the little toe. This foot structure can also have qualities of other foot structures (For example, this photo also shows a second toe longer than the other toes; which is characteristic of the Greek Foot). If you have a Simian Foot, it's easy to get a bunion, so it's prudent to stay away from narrow and pointed toe shoes


You've probably seen (or at least heard of) most of the foot structures above and maybe you've identified your own feet with one of them. But, maybe you haven't. You may, instead, have another foot structure which is, indeed, pathogenic:  

Rothbarts Foot aka Primus Metatarsus Supinatus Primus Metatarsus Supinatus – Commonly referred to as Rothbarts Foot –
The Rothbarts Foot is an inherited, abnormal foot structure. It has a raised big toe and first metatarsal. This can only be seen when a doctor places the foot is placed in its' anatomical neutral position, while it is resting on the ground.

The Rothbarts Foot is found in the vast majority of the world population. I, too, have this foot structure. And the Rothbarts Foot can cause chronic muscle and joint pain; not only in the feet, but in the entire body.

If you're a chronic pain sufferer (and you probably are if you are reading this website), learning about the Rothbarts Foot may change the way that you see your feet and help you find the correct treatment to alleviate your suffering.

To find out if you may have a Rothbarts Foot, take the Rothbarts Foot Questionnaire.

For information about the therapy which effectively treats the Rothbarts Foot, go to: What Is Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy. 


If you would like to contact me regarding an appointment to resolve your pain, click here

Professor/Dr. Brian A. Rothbart
Chronic Pain Elimination Specialist  
Discovered the Rothbarts Foot and the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity
Developer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Inventor and Designer of Rothbart Proprioceptive Insoles
Founder of International Academy of Rothbart Proprioceptive Therapy
Author of Forever Free From Chronic Pain

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41 Responses to “Your Feet: What They Look Like Gives Valuable Information”
  1. Laura S says:

    I need arch supports, but one needs to also have a 1/2 inch lift for leg length discrepancy.  Would I go to a shoe repair shop to have this built  ?  I have hypermobile flat feet, but as my weight is low and I use arch supports and never go barefoot, I don't have a whole lot of pain other than bunion I haven't had removed yet.  My feet are somewhat egyptian and very compressible and flexible, size 7 1/2.  

  2. Rothbart says:

    Dear Laura,

    The question that needs to be answered first is your leg length discrepancy structural or functional. If one leg is structurally shorter than the other leg, a platform lift (not a heel lift) is indicated.

    But, if you have a functional leg length discrepancy resulting from an unleveling of your pelvis, a platform lift can actually makes your symptoms worse.

    with regards,
    Professor Rothbart

  3. Letisha says:

    While I was reading this I realized that my right foot is a greek foot and my left a peasant. I looked at my families feet -which they found quite weird- and none of them have this trait. My father along with my three brothers have the Egyptian foot, and my mother has the Greek foot.
    I was wondering how is that possible?

  4. Rothbart says:

    Dear Letisha,

    Your question is very thought provoking. I personally have not seen a patient with two different foot types.

    with regards,
    Professor Rothbart

  5. Sarah says:

    I've got peasant/giselle feet.  Fashion shoes are not made for this shape of foot – only for Egyption feet.  WHY??!  I don't want to spend my life either in pain or wearing shoes that suit my Granny. Does anybody know of a manufacturer for we peasant-people?

  6. Tamika says:

    I sympathize. Like most African American women, I have a larger heel than do most Caucasian women. Fashion shoes are not made for my people. But over time, as I saw my Caucasian friends wince, kick off their fashion shoes and rub their aching feet the minute they sat down, I came to understand that fashion shoes are not made for ANY shape of foot. They just don't support a healthy foot and healthy posture. Now I'm proud to wear my Sensible Shoes. After all, isn't good health the best fashion accessory?

  7. OhMiGosh says:

    @Letisha – I also came here to find out what it means to have "mixed feet" as it were lol. One of my feet is clearly Greek, but the left one is a mixture between roman and egyptian, very strange. It would be interesting to find out what this is all about.

  8. Rothbart says:

    Dear Letisha,

    Your foot structure is genetically determined. To date, geneticists have not mapped out the exact gene or genes that control foot structure. Thus, there is no exact answer to your question as to what it means to have ‘mixed feet’ other than to say that genetically you were encoded to have two different foot structures.

    Both Greek and Egyptian foot structures are normal. Normal in that they typically do not lead you into chronic muscle and joint pain.

    There are two other inherited foot structures that are abnormal. Abnormal in the sense that they create chronic muscle and joint pain as you get older. They are known as the Rothbarts Foot and the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity.

    with regards,
    Professor Rothbart

  9. Rothbart says:

    Dear Tamika,

    I couldn’t say it any better than you already have! Thank you very much for your lovely comment.

    with regards,
    Professor Rothbart

  10. Tiago says:

    Hi, I would like to share that I have a greek feet and I had back and knee pain for many years. The pain is gone and the only thing I did was changing the way I run, and wearing minimalistic shoes in everyday life. If I could I would just walk barefooted… The running part: shorter strides and midfoot landing are the natural human running form (I run barefoted so my feet can feel the ground and adapt). Also, move! We weren't made to be stationary.

  11. Rothbart says:

    Dear Tiago,

    Thank you for sharing your experience with having a Greek foot. And I agree with you 100% – we are not trees, we do best when we move around.

    Professor Rothbart

  12. K says:

    I don't do ballet but I can do pointe does that have to do with my peasant feet? Sorry if I'm restating this question I couldn't tell if it went through.

  13. Rothbart says:

    I do not believe so. However, certain foot shapes are more conducive to ballet than other foot shapes.

    Professor Rothbart

  14. Cam says:

    Hi! I have Egyptian feet that are slightly wide and with high arches. what is the best shoe type for me?

  15. EmiriT says:

    I’ve heard of another foot structure called a Roman foot, though I’ve mainly seen it on those images that asks you to share what foot type (either Roman, Arabic/Egyptian, or Greek) you have in the comments or something on social websites. But according to those pictures I have a Roman foot.
    My second toe is as long as my big toe and my big toe sliiightly inclines towards it though I dunno if it’s natural or f it’s Simian. I’m pretty sure my other three toes, while shorter then my big and second toe, are all the same length but the way my foot is shape they slope down so each one looks shorter than the one before. I have an arch and kinda small, narrow feet. They’re actually kinda dainty lol.
    Anyway my point is I’m not sure if a Roman type foot is a really foot type, and if it isn’t then what foot type do I have? I was just curious. Care to help?

  16. Debbie says:

    Both my feet are Egyptian shaped, but I also have identical webbing, where second and third are joined together. What is the significance of this, if any?
    This has always been of interest to me, naturally :)

  17. Rothbart says:

    Dear Cam,

    There is no simple and quick answer to your question. The most important consideration is that whichever type of shoe you choose, they must be comfortable and sized correctly to your feet. Heel heights should not be more than 1″ for everyday shoes.

    There are quite a few blogs on this website which talk about choosing shoes.

    with regards,
    Professor Rothbart

  18. Rothbart says:

    Dear Emiri,

    From what you have written, it sounds like you indeed have a Roman Foot.

    with regards,
    Professor Rothbart

  19. Rothbart says:

    Dear Debbie,

    Toe webbing is genetically determined and independent of what type of foot shaped you may have.

    with regards,
    Professor Rothbart

  20. andrea says:


    i have egyptian feet but why is there space btn the first and second toes?

  21. Rothbart says:

    Dear Andrea,

    That is a difficult question to answer without seeing photos of your feet. You can contact Linda through the Contact page on this site and she can set up a phone appointment.

    with regards,
    Professor Rothbart

  22. Francine Bartel says:

    I’ve saved it for later!

  23. sandy says:

    hi! i think i have a the Rothbarts foot when the time is cold i feel pai in my left knee and i always have a back pain,i mainly wear sandals

  24. Rothbart says:

    Dear Sandy,

    The Rothbarts Foot Questionnaire was designed to help you determine if you have a Rothbarts Foot or not. And you are correct, knee and back pain are common symptoms seen in people with the Rothbarts Foot.

    Professor Rothbart

  25. Kathryn says:

    I never realized there was so much to know about feet!

  26. hina khan says:

    Hi! I have both Egyptian feet but my second toe is slightly shorter than first one(seems alike sometime)and rest of toes do follow the rules of those Egyptian feet.how am I determine myself if I am an Egyptian??

  27. Kimberly says:

    My left foot is Egyptian and my right foot is Simian. Why would they be so different?

  28. Rothbart says:

    Dear Kimberly,

    When it comes to the human body, asymmetry is the rule, not the exception. What you have written – left foot Egyptian and right foot Simian, is a good example.

    If you trace back your ancestral lineage, you would discover that somewhere along the line your forebearers were Egyptian.

  29. Rothbart says:

    Dear Hina,

    That’s an excellent question, but the truth is that I don’t have the answer, as I’m not an expert on Egyptian feet. If you do an internet search on Egyptian feet, you will find many links that will provide you with the information you are seeking.

  30. dorthea says:

    I’ve suffered from joint pain for many years, but since I turned 50 doctors don’t even look for a reason anymore. All they say is everyone has joint pain as they get older. But I had it when I was 30, 40! I’ve been all over the internet trying to find information that would help me. The information on your site has given me a lot to think about.

  31. Autumn says:

    I find this information to be very intriguing. I have had ankle joint pain for years and xrays haven’t found any sign of what may be causing it. This joint paint is only on my right ankle. Could it be from having a Rothbart foot type? I would be so relieved to finally figure out how to alleviate it. Walking up stairs has been a constant worry for me, mid-step my ankle feels unstable and like it’ll buckle and as well tha pain is here some days and gone others. Appreciate your thoughts on this!

  32. Rothbart says:

    Dear friend,

    From what you have written, you may well have a Rothbarts Foot or PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity. I suggest that you complete the Rothbarts Foot Questionnaire (found on this site). This will give you a good idea if you may have one of these two abnormal foot structures.

  33. Hina Khan says:

    Thanks for your valuable suggestion. For your information I tell you that I am an Indian but not like those natives atleast My ancestry says (according to my facial and body features). Sometimes I have a back pain after walking. The reason is itself unknown.Will you do me a suggestion on this please?

  34. Rothbart says:

    Dear Hina,

    Go to my website and read the information I have written on the PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity and Rothbarts Foot. If this information describes what you are experiencing, then take the Rothbart Foot Questionnaire. If you answer more than 8 the questions in the affirmative, I can help you.

    Professor Rothbart

  35. peg may says:

    Hi not sure what type of feet I have. But they are wide, wide spaced between the toes. The 2nd and 3rd toes from the big toe are longer than the big toe, plus my feet look like I should 6 toes. I’m 60 mother 5 children, 9 grandchildren, now my feet are flat. Since my teens I have had feet, ankles, knees problems.

  36. Rothbart says:

    Dear Peg,

    The chronic joint symptoms you have had since your teens are commonly linked to flatfeet. Find the cause of your flatfeet, treat that cause directly, and your joint symptoms will attenuate or disappear.

    The PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity is a common cause of flatfeet. You can read more about this abnormal inherited foot structure at: What Does The PreClinical Clubfoot Deformity Look Like?

    Professor Rothbart

  37. Jules says:

    Hi, I have simian feet, recently my right foot (the bump right under my pinkie toe) has been super sore and it hurts to walk on, I have a callus on it, and I have been using a pumice stone to help, what else can I do to ease the pain?

  38. Rothbart says:

    Dear Jules,

    People having the Simian Foot structure need to pay special attention to the type of shoes they wear. Wear shoes with sufficient space in the toe box (avoid pointed toe shoes) and shoes constructed with a firm heel and sole material (avoid air/gel type shoes).

    Professor Rothbart

  39. Ayishm Nawaz says:

    I don’t have any pain in my feet but one day I wokje up in morning and noticed that my 2nd and 3rd toes had gap and 4th and 5th toes were joined together.They get seperate but in just that case if I do it otherwise they stick together. I never feel any pas in but still my feet doesn’t looks good when I wear ooen shoes.So i want to knoiw what proiblkem is it.

  40. Rothbart says:

    Dear Ayishm,

    Without photos of your feet, it is very difficult to provide you with a definitive answer.

    However, recently I had a patient who remarked that the distal joint in one of his fingers, overnight, became angulated relative to the rest of his finger. Bizarre and no apparent explanation.

    Then, I happened to be talking with a dentist doing research in the area of Descending Postural Distortional Patterns. I told him about what my patient with the changes in his finger. He remarked that he sees this happening in patients with occlusion (bite) problems. He also remarked not only can the toes become malpositioned, but also the fingers.

    The body is truly interconnected. Changes in the bite can result in distortions in the hands and feet.

    Professor Rothbart

    Professor Rothbart

  41. Miss Hannah Matthau says:

    I came across this looking for something different (namely what is average and what is more than aberage when it comes to the webbing between toes) but I also have a different shape than the ones mentioned above. I habe been a dancer my whole life and my big toe and second toe are the same length and my toe area is flat, unlike most people, making it very hard to find vegan shoes with a flat toe box (which was mostly until 1864). So I was wondering if you happen to know anything about either foot thing.
    Kind regards,
    Miss Hannah Matthau

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