Flat feet is one of the most common and difficult to treat diseases, as a result of which the foot becomes flat and loses its shock-absorbing function.
Flat feet is one of the most common and difficult to treat diseases, as a result of which the foot becomes flattened and loses its shock-absorbing function.
Flatfoot is a deformation of the sole, in which prolapse of the transverse and longitudinal arches is diagnosed.
The initial stage of flat feet can be diagnosed by the appearance of rapid fatigue after a short walk or standing. In the evening you may already feel tired, pain, cramps, and swelling.
According to statistics, 50% of patients suffer from transverse flatfoot, and in 27% of cases a longitudinal change is diagnosed in combination with other types of diseases. Pathology can be diagnosed by disorders in the ligaments, which result in discomfort and pain.
Symptoms of 1st degree flat feet are mild fatigue at the end of the day, pain when pressing on the foot, swelling of the legs. The main methods of treating the disease at this stage are orthopedic insoles, foot massage, therapeutic exercises and wearing comfortable shoes. It is easier to cure stage 1 disease in childhood, when the musculoskeletal system is developing.
It is worth noting that 1st degree flatfoot with arthrosis (longitudinal, transverse or combined) is not a reason for exemption from military service.
During the medical examination, the conscript will be assigned fitness category “A”, which indicates suitability for service in any troops of the Russian Armed Forces, despite the fact that the disease can progress under significant loads.
2nd degree flatfoot is manifested by a change in the shape of the foot (the arches straighten, the leg becomes wider). The second stage of the disease is often a combined type of flat feet, walking causes pain, by the end of the day swelling of the legs appears, and the gait changes.
One of the signs of the disease is discomfort in the spine.
Stage 3 pathology is characterized by a pronounced change in the shape of the feet, swelling of the knees, severe pain in the lumbar region, head, legs, and all joints. Because of this, there is a decrease in working capacity, and movement becomes difficult.
Often it is at this stage that patients go to the clinic. Depending on the degree of development of the disease and its manifestations, doctors prescribe the wearing of orthopedic shoes, the use of special insoles, as well as massage and therapeutic exercises. If the foot is severely deformed, electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, and ozokerite may be prescribed.
Longitudinal. With longitudinal flatfoot, the patient's soles change and the size of the foot increases.
Only with 1st degree of longitudinal flatfoot the legs may not change in size, but already at 2nd and 3rd degrees deformations are observed.
The second stage is characterized by a decrease in the arch of the foot and intense pain in the joints, especially in the knees. Stage 3 longitudinal flatfoot is characterized by an almost complete change in the feet, pain in the head and lower back appears.
With longitudinal flatfoot stage 3, a person experiences severe headaches.
Transverse flatfoot is determined by a decrease in the sole and thickening of the foot. Treatment of the transverse type consists of wearing shoes with orthopedic insoles and special inserts that partially compensate for the shock-absorbing properties.
In the first degree, deviation of the thumb, thickening of the epithelium, and the appearance of corns are diagnosed.
The second degree is characterized by the progression of the disease, that is, an increase in the size of the corns, an even greater deviation of the thumb, and twisting of the second and third fingers.
Combined flatfoot is characterized by transverse and longitudinal changes of varying severity. The main symptoms of the pathology are pain in the legs.
With the simultaneous development of several diseases, such as arthrosis and flat feet, the patient’s condition noticeably worsens.
Transverse flat feet can develop due to excess weight.
The most common causes of the development of such forms of the disease are:
Often, flat feet complicated by arthrosis are diagnosed in women. This is due to the fact that women wear high-heeled shoes (5 cm or higher).
Often, flat feet complicated by arthrosis are diagnosed in women due to the fact that they wear high-heeled shoes (from 5 cm).
Frequent compression of the foot with a changed center of gravity and impaired blood flow leads to deformation of the cartilage. In this case, the disease is diagnosed at stage 2. Acute manifestations of the disease with obvious disturbances of the endocrine system occur after 45 years, with the onset of menopause.
In the presence of congenital pathologies of the joints and lack of treatment, arthrosis can manifest itself already in adolescence.
Therefore, to reduce the risk of developing a combined form of the disease, experts recommend systematically doing massages and wearing only good quality orthopedic shoes.
The first stage of the combined form of flat feet and arthrosis is characterized by mild pain in the legs, swelling, and fatigue of the lower extremities.
To get rid of flat feet, you need to provide your feet with proper rest.
At the second stage of development of the combined form of the disease, symptoms appear more acutely: constant pain is observed, bones are deformed, fatigue and swelling are felt in the lower extremities.
Constant pain is felt, regardless of position - both during movement and at rest. They spread higher up the leg all the way to the lumbar region.
Swelling and fatigue of the legs, caused by deforming arthrosis, decrease only after pain relief with drugs (ointments, creams) and long rest (at least 8 hours).
Due to changes in the shape of the foot, it is more difficult for the patient to maintain balance, and problems arise with choosing suitable shoes. Ignoring the symptoms of the disease leads to curvature of the spine, poor posture, and the development of more complex back diseases over time.
Treatment of combined forms of diseases is carried out only under the supervision of qualified specialists.
Unfortunately, most adults do not pay attention to flat feet and do not treat them until they are scheduled for surgery.
Depending on the degree of development of the disease, an orthopedist or rheumatologist may prescribe:
In order to eliminate acute pain (inflammation) caused by arthrosis, doctors can prescribe a course of drug therapy with drugs such as Diclofenac, Ketoprofen, Aspirin, Ibuprofen. The action of these drugs is aimed at eliminating the inflammatory process and associated pain.
If there are spasms or cramps in the feet, doctors may prescribe muscle relaxants that relax muscle tissue.
In grade 2 pathology, changes in cartilage tissue are observed.
In order to eliminate acute pain caused by arthrosis, it is recommended to take Diclofenac, Ketoprofen, Aspirin or Ibuprofen.
Therefore, in order to slow down the process of wear and tear of cartilage tissue, doctors prescribe chondrotherapy drugs that promote accelerated cell regeneration. Flat feet with arthrosis are characterized by the minimal presence of a substance that provides shock absorption to the joints. Due to the lack of this substance, bone tissue is damaged and the feet are overloaded.
To correct the heel, metatarsal bones, and toes, specialists can prescribe manual therapy and special massages.
Sometimes, with particularly complex forms of the disease, surgical intervention is required, during which the position of the bones is corrected and their surfaces are cleaned of osteophytes.
Regardless of the degree of progression of the disease, it is recommended to wear orthopedic shoes with insoles and special inserts.
Regardless of the degree of progression of the disease, it is recommended to wear orthopedic shoes.
To prevent the development of flat feet complicated by arthrosis, experts recommend following the following rules:
Longitudinal, transverse or combined flatfoot is easier to treat at the initial stage. Timely identification of pathology is the key to successful treatment.
Arthrosis of the ankle joint, what to do and how to treat?
Live healthy! Flat feet
Exercises for the treatment and prevention of flat feet.
There are three degrees of flat feet, depending on the size of the arch of the foot. Since a person has two arches in the foot, longitudinal and transverse, there are respectively two types of degrees of this disease: longitudinal and transverse flatfoot.
Each type of flatfoot has its own characteristic features, but it is still possible to identify some common features in both types of illness.
In general, grade 1 flatfoot is usually called mild flatfoot. At this time, the disease is more like just a cosmetic defect.
Grade 2 - intermittent, or moderately pronounced flatfoot - is usually characterized by changes that are visible to the naked eye. The disease gains strength, and the person begins to experience pain in the foot and ankle. At the same time, the gait changes, some clubfoot or heavy gait appears.
Grade 3, or severe flatfoot, is a complete deformity of the foot. This leads to disruption of the musculoskeletal system, and scoliosis, osteochondrosis, arthrosis, or even herniated intervertebral discs may develop. The pain becomes stronger, the person experiences difficulty walking, and one can forget about playing sports at this stage of the disease.
These were the common features of both types of flat feet, and now we will look at each type of disease in more detail.
With longitudinal flatfoot, the longitudinal arch becomes flat, and the foot comes into contact with the floor with almost its entire surface. The length of the foot increases slightly. Longitudinal flatfoot occurs, as a rule, in young women who are overweight, as well as in people whose work requires constant static stress (salespeople, accountants, secretaries). The greater a person's weight, the greater the load on the feet.
The first degree usually does not bother a person, with the exception of fatigue in the legs and pain in the feet during physical activity. The second degree makes itself felt by increasing pain in the legs and difficulties in choosing shoes. The third degree of longitudinal flatfoot causes constant pain in the feet, legs and even lower back, and choosing shoes at this stage is not only difficult, but sometimes even impossible.
Let us consider in more detail the physiological characteristics of each degree of longitudinal flatfoot:
With this type of flatfoot, the transverse arch of the foot is flattened, and its length is slightly reduced. The toes change into a hammertoe shape and the big toe deviates from the rest. Transverse flatfoot is typical mainly for women 30-50 years old. At the same time, so-called “corns” and “bundles” (bone growths on the toe).
The first degree of transverse flatfoot usually manifests itself in periodic pain in the feet, especially in the forefoot. The second degree brings pain localized under the heads of the middle metatarsal bones. The third degree makes itself felt by constant and severe pain under the heads of the metatarsal bones, and, as a rule, significant corns form there.
Now let’s look at the physiological features of each degree of transverse flatfoot in more detail:
You can learn more about how flat feet are diagnosed and its degrees in the article “How to determine flat feet?”, and the articles “Treatment of flat feet in children and adults” and “Treatment of flat feet at home” will help you get acquainted with the methods of treating this disease.
Quite often, the arch of the foot becomes flat and cannot cope with the function of shock absorption. This disease is called flat feet, and in 65% of people it develops in childhood. Flat feet are fraught with disturbances in gait and posture, lead to pain in the legs and back, and are often accompanied by other foot deformities. Flat feet with arthrosis are a common combination, and in addition to the joints of the foot, the ankle, knee and hip joints, and spine are affected. In addition to arthrosis, arthritis, bursitis, ingrown nails, scoliosis, and osteochondrosis develop against the background of flat feet. Flat feet of the 2nd degree are often combined with arthrosis of the 2nd degree; in the later stages of this disease, the development of arthrosis is almost inevitable.
The human foot is adapted to walking upright; it is not flat, it has a transverse arch and 3 longitudinal sections. Thanks to this design, the foot springs, reduces the static load when a person stands, dampens vibration when walking, and allows one to maintain balance. Its arch is supported by ligaments and muscles. If they weaken, the foot flattens. This can happen due to age-related muscle atrophy or overload of the legs.
Risk factors include:
Flat feet can develop against the background of metabolic and endocrine diseases - rickets, diabetes, as well as a serious disease of the nervous system - polio. There is a hereditary predisposition to this disease, and wearing uncomfortable shoes increases the risk of its development. Depending on the nature, the following types of disease are distinguished:
Arthrosis can be provoked by the same factors: metabolic disorders, injuries, joint overload associated with professional duties, hobbies or excess weight. Flat feet are an additional provoking factor for the development of arthrosis. When the arch of the foot drops, the load on the joints increases and the articular cartilage begins to deteriorate. Its wear leads to bone deformation - compaction of subchondral tissue and proliferation of osteophytes. The joint thickens, becomes deformed, and bone processes limit its mobility. Friction of bones is accompanied by pain. Arthrosis with flat feet is more severe than in its isolated form, and it is more difficult to treat the combined pathology.
In 55% of cases, transverse flatfoot develops, in 29% - longitudinal, the rest are combined, affecting different parts of the foot:
Flat feet can reach 3–4 degrees. When longitudinally, the height and angle of the arch of the foot and the severity of bone deformation are assessed. The following indicators are typical for different degrees:
To determine the degree of transverse flatfoot, the angle of divergence between the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones and the angle of deviation of the big toe are measured.
Arthrosis, which accompanies flat feet, also goes through 3 stages of development. On the x-ray, along with the signs of flat feet, its signs are visible. First, a slight, maximum half, narrowing of the joint space and the formation of small (up to 1 mm) marginal osteophytes. Arthrosis of the 2nd degree is manifested by further narrowing of the lumen, the size of osteophytes exceeds 1 mm, their number increases, and osteosclerosis (hardening of bone tissue) develops in the subchondral zone of the bones. At grade 3, the lumen is practically closed, the growths are rough and large, osteosclerosis progresses, and joint deformity is pronounced.
Both diseases are manifested by pain and increased fatigue of the legs. There are often signs of inflammation - swelling, redness. As the disease progresses, the foot becomes deformed. Flat feet go through the following stages of development:
In people diagnosed with grade 2 flat feet, arthrosis is a common complication; usually at this stage it reaches grade 1-2. In addition to pain and increased fatigue, crunching in the joints and limited mobility are added. At the late stage of osteoarthritis, the joints almost completely lose mobility and become deformed, the pain does not stop even at night. In the later stages of flat feet with arthrosis, they cover all legs and spread to the lumbar region. It is difficult for a person to maintain balance, his posture is impaired.
The main method for diagnosing flat feet is x-ray. The picture is taken under load in 2 projections. It is drawn out to measure angles and distances. The foot print is examined (plantography, podoscopy), samples and tests are performed. Muscles are checked using electromyography.
Many conscripts and their parents are confident that the army will not threaten young people with flat feet. Illness of the 1st degree is not a reason for exemption from service, this has always been the case. As for the second degree, until 2014, conscripts with this disease in combination with arthrosis of the 2nd degree were enlisted in the reserves. According to the latest edition of the disease schedule, conscripts with level 2 flat feet are fit for service with minor restrictions. Category B-3 allows you to serve in most branches of the military, except for the elite. They issue a military ID and enroll patients with the following disorders into the reserve:
Only patients with a pathological foot, its absence or severe deformities are considered completely unfit for military service (category D).
In the early stages, flat feet are treated with conservative methods. Drug therapy can eliminate pain; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are mainly used. For muscle spasms and convulsions, muscle relaxants are prescribed. Medications that improve circulation may be helpful. If flat feet have not progressed to an advanced form, it is quite possible to cure it, but an integrated approach is needed:
First of all, you need to give up narrow, tight high-heeled shoes. The maximum permissible height is 4–5 cm. Shoes with arch supports, orthopedic insoles, and orthotic inserts will help support the arch of the foot. Orthopedic products for the correction of flat feet are manufactured individually, according to a doctor’s prescription. Physiotherapy for flat feet helps relieve pain and inflammation, tones muscles, strengthens ligaments, and stimulates blood circulation. Electrophoresis with medications, stimulation with currents, magnetic fields, and UHF are indicated. Foot baths and hydromassage, mud therapy, and clay wraps have a good effect. You can correct the arch of your foot through manual therapy.
Every day you need to devote 5-10 minutes to gymnastics: rise and fall on your toes, on your heels, tuck your toes, transfer your body weight alternately to the inside and outside of the foot. Exercises using the Bubnovsky method help combat flat feet. It is useful to walk on grass, sand, and pebbles barefoot. Patients who have been diagnosed with level 2 flat feet and arthrosis should purchase a Lyapko massage mat or make an analogue of it yourself, attaching pine needles and pebbles to dense fabric. Every day you need to walk on the mat for 3-5 minutes; it is also better to perform exercises on it. Manual self-massage should be done in the mornings and evenings, the minimum session duration is 5 minutes. The entire foot is kneaded with the pads of the thumbs.
If flat feet are accompanied by arthrosis, they resort to the same treatment methods, but expand the list of physiotherapeutic procedures, massage techniques, and a set of exercises. It may be necessary to fix the affected joints using special orthopedic devices. For flat feet and arthrosis, occurring alone or in a combined form, it is necessary to lose weight and switch to a healthy diet, especially if the diseases are caused by metabolic disorders.
With flat feet with arthrosis, the intensity of pain increases, especially in the later stages. Non-steroidal drugs are not always enough; for severe pain, analgesics are prescribed, and for acute inflammatory processes, intra-articular injections of corticosteroids are prescribed. The specificity of drug treatment of arthrosis is the use of chondroprotectors and hyaluronic acid preparations. Hyaluronic acid restores the normal volume and chemical composition of intra-articular fluid. Chondroprotectors protect cartilage tissue from destruction, and at an early stage of arthrosis they can even restore it subject to prolonged systematic use.
In the later stages of flat feet with arthrosis, surgical intervention is indicated. For flat feet, operations are performed on soft and hard tissues. Bone growths are eliminated, the position of the bones is corrected, after which they are fixed in the correct position. Today, low-traumatic operations are practiced; deformities are eliminated using thin burs through small punctures. After such an operation, the pain is minor and goes away quickly; a plaster cast is not required. If special shoes are used, the patient can walk independently the very next day. The load is gradually increased, after 3-5 weeks the foot can be loaded to its full extent.
A number of clinics resort to an innovative operation - through an incision the length of which does not exceed 2 cm, a lightweight and durable metal implant is implanted into the foot. It performs the same function as an orthotic insole, but operates continuously, even when a person takes off their shoes.
For arthrosis of the foot, both minimally invasive operations (arthroscopy) and those requiring more serious surgical intervention are performed. The most effective is endoprosthetics. But this is a rather complex and expensive operation, after which an artificial joint needs to be developed. There are endoprostheses for replacing various joints, but more often such operations are performed on large joints. It is easier and cheaper to perform arthrodesis by fusing the bones directly. It is impossible to move the joint after such an operation, but it relieves pain.
Flat feet may seem like a minor problem at first glance. But this pathology is a trigger for a number of serious diseases of the joints of the lower extremities and spine. Flat feet can be complicated by purulent processes in the foot, bursitis (inflammation of the joint capsule). If the disease reaches grade 3–4 and is combined with arthrosis or other pathology of the foot, the patient may be assigned a disability. Therefore, maximum attention should be paid to the prevention of this disease. Wearing comfortable shoes, walking barefoot, foot massage, healthy eating, weight control, and an active lifestyle without overloading the legs will help prevent it.
Flat feet are one of the most common diagnoses among young people conscripted into the army. Often it is precisely this that becomes the reason for a citizen’s exemption from conscription for military service, and sometimes from performing military duty. This is probably why in the latest edition of the Sickness Schedule, the requirements for the health of conscripts have significantly decreased. The list of diseases and functional disorders for which service in the armed forces of the Russian Federation became possible has expanded. The list of these diseases has also been supplemented by flat feet. Now you can easily be declared fit even with this disease.
What has changed? Only the state requirements for the health of conscripts. But health itself has not changed, at least for the better. Now, during a medical examination, where your category of fitness for military service is determined, it has become much more difficult to obtain the required health mark. Now, even if you have flat feet, in order to be released from the army you need to have a high degree of functional impairment caused by this disease. Details later in the article.
Flat feet of the 1st degree at the beginning of 2018 will mean fitness category “A” for a conscript. This means that the person is completely healthy and ready to serve in any troops of the Russian Armed Forces (even in special forces). This means that the angle of the valley on your sole should be between 131 and 140 degrees longitudinally. And with a transverse one, the first toe deviates by 15 -20 degrees and the angle of the metatarsals between the first two bones is 10 -12 degrees.
At the same time, this stage of the disease is not even considered as something that can prevent one from performing military duties, although a person feels some fatigue after walking, running, and other activities and may experience pain.
Flat feet of 2nd degree is determined by the following characteristics:
With this stage of this disease you will receive a “B3” fitness category. Moreover, this will happen only if you, together with flat feet, have stage 2 deforming arthrosis. It is characterized by the destruction of the soft tissues of the joints of the foot, which leads to their deformation and can cause significant pain in a person. Signs of stage 2 of arthrosis:
As you can see, in conditions of military service, this type of flatfoot will bring a person numerous problems of both a physical and psychological nature. Not to mention the fact that without proper corrective measures and treatment, the disease will certainly progress noticeably.
Only two types of this disease will help you avoid military service:
With longitudinal flatfoot of 3rd degree or with transverse flatfoot of 3rd - 4th degree. The presence of at least one or more factors is also allowed:
How flatfoot manifests itself, symptoms of stage 3 disease and its treatment - these are the questions that concern patients. The term flatfoot is used to describe feet with a low or no arch. With this disease, the shock-absorbing functions of the feet are lost. In most cases, the disease does not have a significant impact on a person’s life and does not interfere with his or her activities. But some types of flat feet can cause significant pain that makes it difficult for a person to stand and walk. First of all, this concerns grade 3 flat feet. The patient can determine its first symptoms himself. Flat feet are most common in teenagers and young adults. Men and women are equally susceptible to this disease. There are cases of both congenital and acquired nature.
The human foot is an amazing natural mechanism. It contains muscles, ligaments and 26 bones. There are two arches of the foot: external and internal.
Weakening of muscles and ligaments causes flat feet.
There are many causes of the disease: hard work, excess weight, injury, paralysis, developmental defects. The foot can be flattened longitudinally, transversely and in combination. Doctors distinguish the following types of flat feet:
From the names, in general, the origin of the disease is clear. The congenital form is very rare and occurs due to intrauterine developmental defects. The static form is characteristic of people with a group of reasons:
Patients often treat flat feet without due attention. It is believed that the disease is not serious and only requires special shoes. But the disease progresses, and the first degree of flatfoot, which is characterized by the absence of symptoms, can develop into the third. Therefore, every patient diagnosed with flat feet should know the signs of all stages of the disease. Initial signs:
There is a fairly simple home test to determine if you have flat feet. To do this, you need to make a barefoot print on paper (you can use vegetable oil). Two lines are recorded on the print with a pencil. One should connect the edges of the recess of the sole. The second is parallel to the first, crossing the deepest part of the foot. If the narrowest part of the print occupies a third of the recorded area, the foot is normal. If the imprint is wider, the foot begins to deform and flat feet are evident.
If such signs occur, consultation with a specialist is necessary. The fact is that varicose veins have similar pain symptoms, and only a doctor can determine exactly the nature of the disease. The longer the disease progresses, the stronger the pain. They bother the patient even at rest and cover the entire foot. It is important not to bring the disease to the most complex stage, 3rd degree. At this stage, the foot is completely deformed. Its height is 1.5 cm. Symptoms of grade 3 flat feet are as follows:
In this condition, it is impossible to play sports or even do normal work. A person cannot go to stores, serve himself and his family. Flat feet cause numerous complications: diseases of the spine, pelvis, and knee joints. Neuroses of the calcaneal nerve and heel spurs occur, causing burning pain. Ingrown toenails form. Without medical help, grade 3 flatfoot turns the patient into a disabled person.
It is impossible to cure complex flat feet without surgery. Grade 3 means the involvement of a large number of anatomical structures. Doctors prescribe treatment aimed at relieving pain and swelling and improving quality of life.
In this regard, manual therapy, massage, and the use of orthopedic insoles are practiced. But even a complex of treatment will not bring success if the disease is advanced and the patient moves with great difficulty.
Surgical treatment requires structural changes to the bones and joints of the foot. The doctor’s main task is to align the body’s center of gravity above the leg. The surgeon rebuilds the load-bearing parts of the heel. To do this, an incision is made on its outer side.
The heel bone is moved inward or toward the arch of the foot and secured with a pin or screw. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. Rehabilitation after surgery takes two months. The operation offers many benefits, especially for young women who often suffer from bunion deviation due to constant wearing of high-heeled shoes. It is especially difficult to treat elderly patients with excess weight and signs of arthrosis. However, surgical intervention will forever save the patient from relapse of the disease.
After surgery, physiotherapy and therapeutic exercises are necessary. It is useful to grab small objects like sea pebbles with your toes, roll a stick with your feet, and do leg exercises with grabbing a small ball. Stroking and rubbing the feet is the simplest and most effective self-massage.
In the evening you should take relaxing foot baths. Orthopedists recommend warm water with sea salt, decoctions of medicinal herbs (chamomile, plantain, sage) or essential oils (rose, basil, lavender). The duration of the bath should be 15-20 minutes.
Successful treatment is impossible without choosing the right shoes. Orthopedic shoes are ordered in specialized stores. The doctor may prescribe the wearing of arch supports, insoles or inserts, based on the individual condition of the patient.
Prevention requires a special diet rich in vitamins. Fatty and smoked foods, baked goods, and sweets create the problem of excess weight, which affects the muscles and ligaments of the feet. Apples rich in pectin and jellied meat based on lean chicken broth are very useful for patients with flat feet. Gelling substances restore bone and cartilage tissue well, especially after surgery.
Flat feet of the 3rd degree is a serious disease with complex treatment. Don't put yourself through unnecessary suffering and put your standard of living at risk. Having identified the first signs of flat feet, you should visit an orthopedic doctor and begin timely treatment.
Modern people practically do not pay attention to the condition of their own feet, forgetting that the health of the body as a whole often depends on their feet, and turn to doctors for help only in the last stages of the development of the disease.
It is difficult to treat a seemingly simple disease called flat feet in adults. It is necessary to prepare for the fact of the probable impossibility of finally getting rid of the violation.
Flat feet is a disease that develops throughout a person’s life cycle and requires treatment. Leads to deformation changes in the arches of the feet, ankle, knee and lumbar joints (with progression of 3rd and 4th degree flat feet).
If an adult has advanced grade 3 flatfoot, when walking there is a shock load on the ankle, hip and knee joints. Due to the impact of the articular surfaces against each other, joint injury occurs, leading to various degrees of deformation. The appearance of crunches in the knees signals that the joint tissue has begun to deteriorate, and urgent treatment is required for the disease. With the development of progressive third degree flatfoot, the human skeleton may become distorted, making it more difficult to treat the disease.
Among the observed symptoms of flat feet are:
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should consult an orthopedic doctor.
It is possible to completely cure grade 3 flat feet only at the stage of its occurrence - in early childhood. In adults, with the help of special manipulations, the development of the disease can only be stopped, without allowing it to develop into severe pathological forms.
The earlier the signs of the onset of the disease with less foot deformation are identified, the faster the person can be cured, the more favorable the conditions for treatment and stopping the progression of the disease and carrying out methods for correcting the foot. Treatment of the disease is carried out comprehensively, aimed at stopping the progression of foot deformities and the occurrence of complications by relieving pain and strengthening muscle ligaments.
The basis for the treatment of advanced forms of flat feet is the method of foot orthosis - the use of special insoles, devices are prescribed for the treatment of any degree of development of the pathology. They help relieve the load on the foot, where the painful area of the foot is extremely localized. Insoles provide assistance in cushioning the foot and ankle joints while walking.
Gymnastics, which is performed on a daily basis, even at home, plays a special role in the treatment of flat feet. Popular exercises include:
If, when performing gymnastic exercises, pain occurs in the area of the feet and ankle joints, you will have to exclude the exercise from the list of performed ones or perform it with minimal load.
In case of excessively developed form of flat feet in people, doctors resort to surgical intervention.
First, an operation is performed to treat grade 3 flat feet on one leg; after a rehabilitation period, an operation is performed on the second leg.
During the operation, a special implant is sewn into the middle of the foot - the space between the heel and talus bones, called the talus sinus. It is selected individually for each person, taking into account the age, weight and constitution of the person’s body. The implant supports the talus from protruding inwardly, significantly reducing the load on the forefoot.
Soon after the operation, the person is able to walk painlessly, drive, and after 6-7 months begins light jogging. It will remain mandatory to wear orthopedic shoes: shoes or sneakers with special inserts in the soles and insoles.
The disease in the 3rd degree with the development of foot deformities affects the human skeleton. Due to the progression of the disease, the human skeleton becomes completely distorted. The legs are the first to be affected by deformities from the disease.
There are two types of curvature or deformation of the legs:
The factor that leads to flattening of the arch of the foot, with the loss of shock absorption function, becomes an additional load on the higher-lying joints of the human skeleton, becoming the cause of osteochondrosis in the lumbar region and accompanied by constant painful syndromes and fatigue.
The development of flat feet is considered to be the cause of scoliosis and arthrosis. Under the influence of the progressive development of third-degree flatfoot, the posture and gait of an adult changes.
Due to a violation of the “design” of the arch of the foot, flat feet, the disease Halios Valgus is formed - the formation of a lump, or bone, on the side of the foot near the toes, which over time increases in size and causes more discomfort.
There are many reasons why the disease appears, develops and progresses in the modern world. The main reasons are considered:
Orthopedic doctors recommend that people in such specialties take a five-minute rest every hour and a half of work, perhaps take off their shoes and do light, quick exercises to prevent flat feet.
Nugaeva Hadisha Pro (598), closed 4 years ago
Added 5 years ago
Diagnosis: grade 3 longitudinal flatfoot in both feet. + stage 2 arthrosis.
At the military registration and enlistment office they said that everything is for the surgeon’s consideration, the surgeon there is naturally trying to make sure that I go to serve.
What weighty facts can I provide to the draft board other than X-ray images?
When telling them about the law, they answer that the doctor decides anyway!
2A42 Genius (78276) 5 years ago
a doctor rarely makes mistakes, especially a military one, so if you are called up, if you do not agree after your fitness category is determined, appeal in court.
Source: Tanya Golikova, head doctor
Sergey Momzikov Pro (611) 5 years ago
I doubt that the surgeon will try to do this, he doesn’t care at all, he will put it as it is and appeal
ALENA Artificial Intelligence (120316) 5 years ago
Unfit! Bring pictures and an orthopedic report.
Leeds United Fan Pro (881) 5 years ago
Not fit, but whether you go into the army or not is really up to the surgeon to decide. If they still try to send you into the army, then write statements to the court about not agreeing with the decision of the draft commission, and prove your right not to serve in court.
Natalya Zaitseva Artificial Intelligence (134573) 5 years ago
You need to bring pictures and an orthopedist’s report to the medical examination.
Dmitry Khil Guru (3263) 5 years ago
Article 68 Schedules of illnesses
NOT ACCEPTABLE - CATEGORY B
Drive all the military registration and enlistment officers away. If they insist:
decision of the draft commission
an extract from the book of minutes of meetings of the draft commission
Go to court to appeal the actions of the draft commission
Source: PC Member
Ivan Karpov Enlightened (20984) 5 years ago
If the military registration and enlistment office makes a decision with which you do not agree, you can challenge it in court. this is your legal right
The combination of a flat foot with arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints indicates advanced pathology (flattening of the arch of the 2nd, 3rd degree). In such a situation, during a general examination of the body, doctors often discover pathologies of the hormonal system, changes in metabolism and other diseases that cannot be cured within a month or even a year. No doctor can guarantee a complete cure for this pathology.
Indeed, the female sex is more susceptible to pathology, but not due to the anatomical features of the structure of the reproductive system, but rather due to the desire for beauty. Ladies prefer high-heeled shoes; they are often overweight. Against this background, the prerequisites are created for the flattening of the foot, since the muscular-ligamentous system of the foot cannot cope with the loads placed on it.
By the way, the habit of sitting with one leg folded higher than the other is not healthy. It leads to impaired blood supply in the lower extremities, so over time, women develop not only flat feet, but also varicose veins of the legs.
If ladies want to be healthy, they should study the principles of proper selection of shoes, but it is better to walk barefoot more often on uneven surfaces (pebbles, sand, small stones).
To prevent flat feet, it is recommended to select shoes of the right size with good shock absorption, a hard heel, and elastic soles. The heel size should not be more than 4 cm.
Arthrosis with flat feet is detected at the 2nd or 3rd degree of the disease. Nevertheless, scientists are still deciding what is primary in this combined pathology: damage to the joints or flattening of the arch.
Osteoarthritis of the legs is a dystrophic-degenerative condition that occurs due to impaired blood supply, metabolism, and also due to excessive load on the foot. The causes of flat feet are similar, so we should only talk about provoking factors, such as:
Flat feet of the 2nd degree are accompanied by flattening of the arch, in which the middle part of the sole rests on the surface of more than 2/3 of the entire width. At this stage of the disease, arthrosis of the 2nd or 3rd degree is more common, which is characterized by impaired flexion, as well as pain when walking.
Flat foot of the 3rd degree is accompanied by arthrosis of the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints of the 3rd or 4th stage. In this case, simultaneously with the almost complete flattening of the arch, flexion in the joints of the toes is impaired. Any attempt to make a movement leads to acute pain in the foot. The only way out of the situation is to wear orthopedic insoles and constantly take anti-inflammatory and painkillers.
Osteoarthritis of the joints has 4 degrees of severity. In the 1st degree, changes do not cause serious problems for a person and are revealed only on an x-ray by an expansion of the joint space.
Osteoarthritis of the 2nd degree is accompanied by a moderate narrowing of the height of the joint space, in which pain and bone growths around the circumference of the affected joint are already observed.
Deforming osteoarthritis of the 3rd stage is an almost complete narrowing of the joint gap with the articular ends of the bones touching each other, which creates severe pain. There is no ability to move the foot.
Bibliography
1. Russian Medical Journal - http://www.rmj.ru/;
2. Journal “Concilium Medicum” - http://con-med.ru/;
3. Magazine “Attending Physician” - http://www.lvrach.ru/;
4. Journal of Neurology and Psychiatry named after. S. S. Korsakova;
5. Journal “Scientific and Practical Rheumatology”;
6. Electronic journal “Angiology” - http://www.angiologia.ru/;
7. JOURNAL “ANGIOLOGY AND VASCULAR SURGERY”;
8. Journal "Phlebology";
9. Vidal Directory of Medicines - http://www.vidal.ru/;
10. Directory of RLS drugs - http://www.rlsnet.ru/;
Flatfoot is a deformity of the ankle joint, during which the arch is flattened and the anterior section is retracted to the side. This pathology occurs quite often; there are several types of deformities:
The most common type is static flatfoot. It is believed that it occurs when there is insufficient physical activity on the muscular-ligamentous apparatus, and can also be caused by prolonged walking or standing in combination with carrying heavy objects.
Often, flat feet occur in preschool children, but this is only a natural phase of the development of the motor system, which occurs with the complete formation of the lower extremities. Congenital deformed foot is very rare and is caused by abnormal development in the womb. Acquired deformity can occur as a consequence of injuries or rickets. disturbances in the metabolic processes of calcium and phosphorus.
The main symptoms of an emerging or existing disease are fatigue when walking, pain in the lower extremities. moreover, they can be in the feet, hips, legs, lower back. The pain is due to the fact that the shock-absorbing functions of the ankle are impaired. Often, flat feet can appear in overweight people; it is associated with an increase in the pressure of body weight on the legs, as well as a lack of mobility. Athletes are susceptible to this deformation for radically opposite reasons - systematic excessive loads on the lower extremities. In addition, wearing uncomfortable shoes has a huge impact on the development of deformities.
Shock absorption of the ankle is provided by the longitudinal and transverse arches, due to the specific structure of the skeleton, the interaction of joints, muscles and ligaments with it. With excessive loads, flatness of one or another arch or both together occurs. In this regard, flat feet are classified according to their types:
To determine the type of flatfoot, X-ray examinations of both feet will be indicative. Longitudinal deformation is detected using a lateral projection using a load from a standing position. Transverse deformation is revealed by direct projection, also while standing with a load.
Medicine classifies flat feet according to the complexity of the deformity. Each type has its own characteristic features.
Transverse flatfoot is divided into four levels of deformity complexity, the parameters of which are characterized by the angle between the first and second metatarsal bones and the angle of deviation of the big toe. The following degrees are distinguished:
It’s not always possible to get out of the army by complaining about flat feet. Firstly, it is easily diagnosed, and secondly, the law strictly regulates the procedure for when patients with flat feet are exempted from service.
Article 68 of the Schedule of Diseases describes that a conscript may be exempt from military service if he is diagnosed with:
It is by these criteria that a conscript’s illness is assessed. If one of them is present, you are assigned category “B” (limitedly fit) with exemption from military service and enrollment in the reserves. If a deformity that falls under the 1st degree category is discovered, then such a young man is subject to conscription for military service.