The human body resembles a complex structure where all the parts are interconnected. The feet represent the foundation on which the structure of the body is based. Flat feet are considered a common foot disease, affecting 30% of the population.
Flat feet is a flattening of the arch of the foot or deformation that occurs due to various factors:
A normal human foot has 2 healthy arches (longitudinal and transverse arches), which act as shock absorbers when walking. If a person begins to develop a degree of transverse or longitudinal flatfoot, the foot becomes flat either in the transverse arch (2nd degree) or in the longitudinal arch (first degree). Combined deformations are possible when two arches are flattened – grade 3 pathology. In cases of development of longitudinal flatfoot of the 3rd degree in a person, when walking, the shock-absorbing functions of the joints disappear and shock loads occur on the ankle, knee and hip joints. The joint surfaces hit each other, causing pain and injury to the joint. Accompanying longitudinal flatfoot are arthrosis, scoliosis and osteochondrosis.
There are three main types of disease:
Depending on the angle of the foot and the height of the arch, the degrees of development of the disease are distinguished:
It is possible to identify the disease yourself in the later stages of development; the symptoms become clear and begin to appear at stages 2 and 3 of the disease. Symptoms of 3rd degree flat feet are:
The progressive development of third degree flat foot leads to changes in a person’s gait and posture. A deformity of the big toe begins to develop - the toe moves to the side, limiting movement when walking. A constant feeling of discomfort is present throughout the entire cycle of the disease; the disease is treated as long as necessary.
In the 90s, a common test for the presence and degree of development was considered a method that conservative orthopedists still use. A person stands on a white sheet of paper with both feet, with the feet pre-marked with special quick-wash paint. The presence and extent of the disease is determined by foot prints.
To confirm the violation, x-rays of the feet are taken and photographs are taken. X-rays determine the stage of development of foot deformity. The photographs are filed in the medical history.
At home, you can determine the presence and stages of development of overpronation by looking at everyday shoes that have been in use for more than 4-5 months. If the tread on the sole wears off evenly, the foot is healthy. If the tread is more worn on the inside, the sign indicates the development of a foot deformity.
An additional testing method is to bend the big toe at an angle of 90 degrees, while the person being tested for the defect should stand straight, look forward, with feet hip-width apart. The assistant, raising his big toe (90 degree angle), assesses the severity of the lift. If you have flat feet, it is impossible to raise your toe to a 90-degree angle.
To prevent flat feet in women, you will need to avoid wearing high-heeled shoes every day. It is correct to wear such shoes 2-3 times a week.
In everyday life, during the working day in a “standing” profession, it is useful to take a five-minute break every hour.
By taking proper care of your feet, it is possible to avoid the development of the disease. Care includes prevention and timely contact with an orthopedic doctor if there are signs of flat feet.
For treatment purposes, orthopedic insoles are used - arch supports, which support the foot. Insoles lighten the load on the foot and help correct the position of the foot when walking. It is recommended to wear insoles daily. Children's flat feet in the early stages can be easily treated with insoles.
Doctors have developed orthopedic shoes with insoles, which include special inserts in the sole and insoles that prevent the foot from falling inward. The devices help to adjust the height of the internal recess, which greatly facilitates the process of walking, especially with the development of third-degree flat feet. A good method for treating the disease is wearing shoes with insoles and massage manipulations on the feet.
A variety of methods in the treatment of pathology will be a special thirty-minute gymnastics, performed daily in combination with medical recommendations. First, you need to massage your feet with your hands for 2 minutes. Then walk on the back of the foot for 10-15 minutes, alternating with the inside of the foot. The last gymnastics exercise is to roll from heel to toe for 5-10 minutes. Gymnastics are done daily.
Walking on uneven surfaces (sand, pebbles, massage mat) restores good blood flow, relieving the symptoms of second and third degree flat feet.
Orthopedists recommend picking up small objects with your toes, helping to develop foot motor skills and preventing the development of flat feet.
With the progressive development of grade 3 flatfoot, surgical intervention is required. After the operation, the chances of restoring the foot increase dramatically.
There is a myth among many people that the indicated disease is exclusively a childhood disease. Let's dispel the misconception. The disease appears at birth or during life. At any age, the disease can develop as a result of injuries or improper foot care.
The next myth is that the disease is hereditary. People with a developed degree of pathology give birth to completely healthy children. The disease does not affect the transmitted genetic set of chromosomes; the only factor is that the degree of development of muscle tissue in such children will be slightly lower than in others. With the right preventive measures and properly selected shoes, the disease can easily be avoided.
Flat feet are a common disease that affects the development of the musculoskeletal system. Treatment of flat feet takes months, often years, depending on the degree of pathology. The disease is most often observed in children 2-11 years old.
The shape and structure of the human foot allows the body weight to be evenly distributed when walking. The bony skeleton, connected by muscles and tendons, forms the vaults - the most important structural elements. Leading functions of vaults:
There are two types of longitudinal arches (internal and external) and one transverse. Deformation or damage to the arches causes longitudinal or transverse flat feet. Deviations from the norm in the structure of the foot cause disruption in the functioning of the spine, knee and hip joints.
In order for the treatment of flat feet to be effective, it is important to timely determine the presence of the disease by characteristic signs:
Depending on the complexity of the deformity, the degrees of the disease are distinguished. Longitudinal and transverse flatfoot have a number of common features that determine the degree of complexity:
Often children have longitudinal flat feet, the nature of which is caused by congenital pathologies or becomes a consequence of previous injuries and other diseases. Congenital deformity is determined immediately after the birth of the baby - by external signs. Treatment begins immediately and is carried out in several stages.
Longitudinal flatfoot of the first degree is acquired due to fractures, damage to ligaments, or prolonged stay in a plaster cast. The disease in childhood manifests itself against the background of disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system, excessive physical exertion, and excess weight. Pathological deviations are less commonly observed due to malnutrition, rickets, exhaustion of the body, increased elasticity of connective tissues, and muscle relaxation.
Transverse flatfoot of the first degree is more often observed in women over 30 years of age. The disease acts to flatten the transverse arch of the foot, reducing its length. The development of compacted skin formations on the sole (corns), deformation and enlargement of the big toe bone are often observed. The manifestation of the disease is the periodic occurrence of pain in the forefoot.
Pathology develops due to the weak ability of muscle tissue to withstand stress. A sprain occurs, causing direct pressure on the bony skeleton of the foot. Under the influence of the load, irreversible deformation of the bones occurs, and the gait changes noticeably. In young children, it is difficult to identify the beginning development of the disease due to the child’s inability to convey his own feelings.
A child with grade 1 flat feet becomes less mobile, often asks to be held, and refuses long walks. At the first manifestation of the described symptoms, you must consult a doctor in order to begin timely treatment.
It is possible to identify existing flat feet by characteristic symptoms or an x-ray. However, at an early age, irradiation of children is contraindicated; then a test that can be easily done at home will help.
Place a clean sheet of paper on a flat, flat surface; pre-lubricate the baby’s feet with rich cream so that the imprint is clear. Children are placed on the sheet with both legs; it is important that the body remains level and straight, and the feet stand side by side. Leaving the child motionless, outline the contours with a pencil.
In the resulting drawing, draw a parallel line along the contour of the foot, then perpendicular at the narrowest point of the print. Based on the created drawing, the angles of the arches of the feet are determined, noting the presence and degree of flat feet.
Once the disease is identified, immediate treatment must be started. It is important to note that flat feet in adults cannot be completely cured, but the disease in children can be completely cured.
The method of combating the disease consists of a comprehensive effect on areas susceptible to deformation. Pain is relieved with medications in combination with special procedures. Depending on the degree of flat feet, the doctor prescribes electrophoresis, therapeutic and health massage, therapy with magnets, and iontophoresis.
To make the treatment as effective as possible, a number of daily gymnastic exercises have been developed, the regular implementation of which helps stop the development of the deformity. Longitudinal flatfoot at the initial stage involves therapeutic water procedures: hydromassage, special foot baths. Severe forms are treated with the use of orthopedic shoes, insoles, and pads for the feet. Transverse flatfoot is most often treated only surgically.
Treatment of children suffering from flat feet is gentle. The skeletal base of the foot, which is in the formative stage, is subject to changes with regular therapeutic exercises and massage. The correct technique allows you to improve overall blood circulation and increase the tone of muscle tissue. Children diagnosed with first degree flat feet are recommended to walk barefoot more often on uneven surfaces, earth, small gravel, pebbles, and sand.
Home treatment for flat feet involves physical education, therapeutic massage, formation of a correct gait, and gymnastic exercises. Children with early stages of flat feet are often sent to the pool for swimming. Technically correct execution of exercises strengthens the arches of the feet, providing a therapeutic and stimulating effect.
Gymnastic exercises performed at home:
Forming a correct gait will be the key to treating and preventing flat feet. When walking, it is important to place your feet parallel to each other, placing the main emphasis on the outer edges of the feet.
Headache, constant heaviness in the legs, gait is changed and difficult, regular unpleasant back pain, developing degenerative processes in the lumbar spine and leg joints. What do all these pathologies have in common? The reason for the appearance of all these processes in the human body is flat feet, namely grade 3 flat feet.
This is a serious change in the foot in which a person’s transverse or longitudinal arch of the foot significantly flattens, or a combined flattening of both feet is observed.
It is, in principle, possible to cure such a disease in children, but in adults it is quite difficult to correct it; it is possible to effectively treat last-degree flatfoot only surgically.
Level 3 flatfoot deprives the human foot of the function of elastically flattening when moving and then returning to its original shape. The shock-absorbing properties have to be taken over by hip joints, knees, and intervertebral discs that are not adapted to them.
As a result, arthrosis of large joints, osteochondrosis, scoliosis develops, and intervertebral hernias appear. If at the first two stages of the development of the disease the body still retains the ability to compensate, then at stage 3 the components of the musculoskeletal system are destroyed, which is quite difficult to cure.
The main symptom of third-degree flatfoot is constant pain in different parts of the body. The calf muscles, knees, lower back, soles of the feet, hip joint, and thigh muscles hurt. Due to constant painful sensations, a person’s ability to work is sharply reduced. Minimal active movements further aggravate pain in the body. It’s hard for a person to move, and you can forget about playing sports altogether.
With grade 3 deformation, the height of the arch decreases to 17 mm, and the heel is strongly deflected outward.
With longitudinal flatfoot of the last degree, the foot is severely deformed. The following symptoms are observed: swelling affects the joints, legs, feet, people feel a constant aching pain, turning into painful sensations in the lumbar region, and then a headache. The front sections of the foot flatten and unfold. The first toe is strongly deflected, thereby temporarily reducing pain in the foot.
If longitudinal flatfoot of the last degree is not treated in a timely manner, there is a possibility that the foot will become planovalgus, and the person will feel sharp pain at the slightest movement. The foot will turn strongly inward with the plantar side. It is recommended to treat the disease with the help of therapeutic procedures; constant use of orthopedic insoles and shoes is mandatory. The last degree of longitudinal flattening can be completely corrected only through an operation during which tendons are transplanted and parts of the bone are resected.
The last degree of transverse flatfoot is a severe change in the foot in which it is clearly reduced in size due to the divergence of the bones of the foot, the first toe deviates outward by more than 35 degrees, and the middle toe takes on a hammer shape. A painful bone spur forms at the base of the thumb. The formed corns not only do not go away, but increase in size even more.
Transverse flatfoot in the 3rd degree of its development is also characterized by inflammation of the periarticular bursa, called bursitis. Transverse flatfoot can only be cured surgically. It is recommended to treat the disease in this way with the help of resection of the part of the bone that protrudes, or its combined resection with plastic surgery of the joint capsule, as well as tendon transplantation.
After this, it is necessary to constantly use shoes with orthopedic insoles and special instep supports.
This type of disease, such as combined flatfoot, includes signs of both transverse and longitudinal deformation and can occur in adults and young children. Both arches of the foot flatten, pain due to muscle strain spreads to the lower legs, and also, due to improper distribution of the load when walking, to the knee joints. Combined flatfoot is most often the second degree of the disease, in which a person begins to have problems with walking.
Due to the fact that it is quite difficult to determine the presence of the disease at home, advanced advanced flat feet can also be observed in young children. Stage 3 disease has the same pronounced symptoms as in adults. It is recommended to treat last-degree flatfoot in children mainly with folk remedies or traditional medical methods.
Treating the disease with surgery is completely optional. This can be explained by the fact that the growing body of children is better rebuilt, and the properties of healing and regeneration are especially effective at this age. But there are cases when surgical intervention is still necessary in order to cure grade 3 deformity. It is used only after using traditional therapy and after reaching the age of 10 years.
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.
Flat feet are a fairly common disease these days. Flat feet of the 3rd degree are much more serious than initial flat feet, so this cannot be ignored. Treatment of grade 3 flat feet in adults involves surgery.
This article will be useful to everyone who suffers from this disease. But the main thing you need to know is that it is not fatal, you can live with it, and in order for this disease to cause less discomfort, treatment must be started in advance. In the article you will also find videos from which you will learn even more about flat feet and how to combat it.
Flat feet cause a lot of inconvenience and pain. For some, the pain is simply unbearable. There are four main degrees of flat feet based on the severity and deformation of the foot. Today we will talk about grade 3 flat feet.
Flat feet is a pathological change (flattening) of the arches of the foot and the complete loss of all its shock-absorbing functions. Once upon a time, our ancient ancestors stopped walking on all fours and stood on two legs. This caused gradual changes in the structure of the spine and foot. Including the person acquired diseases associated with this, to some extent. For example, flat feet.
We'll talk about diseases of the spine next time, but I'll tell you about the foot, in particular how to treat flat feet, today. Moreover, a considerable part of the entire world population suffers from this disease.
A person’s foot can be used to judge the condition of all internal organs; there are zones on it that are reflexively connected with all organs. It is necessary to monitor the condition of your feet, not only maintain them in frequency, but also strengthen them, choose the right shoes, as this is directly related to posture and health in general.
One of the disorders in the formation of the foot is flat feet, which can be longitudinal or transverse. With normal development, there are anatomical curvatures and bends in the foot, with the help of which the pressure on the leg is mitigated, i.e. these formations perform a spring function.
From the very phrase flatfoot it is clear that the foot is flat, that is, the anatomical bends and curvatures become flat or disappear altogether.
In the process of evolution, the structure of the foot began to change and, in the end, acquired a unique design. Normally, it has two arches: the longitudinal arch, along its inner edge and the transverse arch, located between the bases of the fingers.
Both arches serve a person to keep the body in balance. They also protect the body from shocks when moving and act as shock absorbers.
But if for some reason the arches of the feet flatten and become smooth, then the spine and leg joints take on the role of shock absorber. But by nature they have a completely different function and are not intended for such work. Therefore they quickly fail. As a result, in addition to flat feet, a person also acquires scoliosis and arthrosis of the joints.
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.
Human feet play an important role in physical activity; they soften steps and prevent negative effects on the musculoskeletal system when running and jumping from heights.
But, like other parts of the musculoskeletal system, when exposed to certain factors, the feet are subject to pathological influence. The most common foot disease is flat feet.
If the first and second degrees of pathology cause a feeling of discomfort and minor pain, then the third degree is dangerous not only by affecting the foot, but also other joints, and it is not uncommon for a person to be assigned a disability due to flat feet.
Let's look at why the 3rd degree of flat feet affects the body as a whole. It is also worth dwelling not only on the issue of painful symptoms in the foot area and difficulty moving with flat feet, but also on joint damage from arthrosis.
Each of us may have noticed symptoms of flat feet, but it is not at all necessary that you have this disease.
The main symptoms of flat feet are the following:
The foot is severely deformed, which makes it difficult for a person to choose and wear ordinary shoes. The sole is greatly expanded, the toes are elongated, strongly curved, and calluses form on the foot.
The height of the arch with deformation of the 3rd degree decreases to 17 mm, and the heel is strongly deflected outward. With longitudinal flatfoot of the last degree, the foot is severely deformed. The following symptoms are observed: swelling affects the joints, legs, feet, people feel a constant aching pain, turning into painful sensations in the lumbar region, and then a headache. The front sections of the foot flatten and unfold. The first toe is strongly deflected, thereby temporarily reducing pain in the foot.
If longitudinal flatfoot of the last degree is not treated in a timely manner, there is a possibility that the foot will become planovalgus, and the person will feel sharp pain at the slightest movement. The foot will turn strongly inward with the plantar side.
It is recommended to treat the disease with the help of therapeutic procedures; constant use of orthopedic insoles and shoes is mandatory. The last degree of longitudinal flattening can be completely corrected only through an operation during which tendons are transplanted and parts of the bone are resected.
The last degree of transverse flatfoot is a severe change in the foot in which it is clearly reduced in size due to the divergence of the bones of the foot, the first toe deviates outward by more than 35 degrees, and the middle toe takes on a hammer shape.
A painful bone spur forms at the base of the thumb. The formed corns not only do not go away, but increase in size even more.
Transverse flatfoot in the 3rd degree of its development is also characterized by inflammation of the periarticular bursa, called bursitis. Transverse flatfoot can only be cured surgically. It is recommended to treat the disease in this way with the help of resection of the part of the bone that protrudes, or its joint resection with plastic surgery of the articular capsule, as well as tendon transplantation. After this, it is necessary to constantly use shoes with orthopedic insoles and special instep supports.
This type of disease, such as combined flatfoot, includes signs of both transverse and longitudinal deformation and can occur in adults and young children.
Both arches of the foot flatten, pain due to muscle strain spreads to the lower legs, and also, due to improper distribution of the load when walking, to the knee joints. Combined flatfoot is most often the second degree of the disease, in which a person begins to have problems with walking.
In the early stages of flatfoot development, treatment is predominantly conservative. Warm baths are recommended to stimulate local blood circulation.
Insoles, arch supports, used for the first degree of flat feet, are no longer effective at later stages of the development of the pathology; in the second and third degrees, patients have to wear special orthopedic shoes.
Massage is actively used, as well as sets of physical therapy exercises, which are aimed at strengthening the muscles and ligaments of the foot, which, although it cannot eliminate already formed disorders in adulthood, can, however, slow down or even prevent the progression of the disease.
However, with the third degree of both longitudinal and transverse flatfoot, conservative treatment methods are no longer effective. In some cases, the only option is surgery.
It involves artificially creating the arch of the foot in one way or another. There are a lot of surgical options, but this is still palliative treatment - it does not eliminate the cause of the disease and does not completely restore function.
The prospect of serving in the armed forces for conscripts with flat feet depends primarily on the degree of the disease, and, consequently, on the loss of foot function. Thus, the third degree of flatfoot is not only accompanied by a pronounced dysfunction, but also often makes it impossible to wear the shoes required by the regulations.
However, severe forms of flat feet are rare in young people, and often the most that such a conscript can count on is a restriction on service in certain branches of the military.
Flat feet is one of those diseases whose presence is often ignored for a long time. However, we should not forget that the second and third degrees of development of this disease are accompanied by a serious decrease in the quality of life and are difficult to treat not only with conservative, but also with surgical treatment.
It is customary to distinguish several types of flat feet, it can be:
Excess body weight, work involving prolonged standing in an upright position, as well as sedentary work can contribute to the development of this type of flatfoot. It may also be a consequence of a completely physiological process - aging.
There are quite a few reasons for the occurrence of this pathological condition, and a relatively small percentage of these factors cannot be modified. Most often, changes in lifestyle can prevent the development of flat feet, or prevent the progression of the disease.
The reasons for the development of longitudinal flatfoot of degrees 2 and 3 can be:
The peculiarity of flat feet in children is that it is extremely difficult to identify it at an early stage. Thus, up to two years of age, all children have their feet completely on the surface, and their toes are loosely pressed against each other.
Therefore, it is necessary to visit an orthopedist as often as possible after two years, so as not to prolong the disease and begin its treatment in a timely manner. For the purpose of prevention at this age, when small feet are just forming, we recommend purchasing orthopedic shoes for children so that the foot is in the physiologically correct position.
If a child has grade 3 flat feet, orthopedic shoes and insoles are mandatory treatment procedures. At home, up to the age of two, a child should not walk barefoot, but on grass, sand or gravel is fine. Be sure to do special exercises with your baby for flat feet for children, which are indicated for both treatment and prevention of the disease.
It is also important to carry out a daily massage, which will not only relieve a child with 3rd degree flat feet with not fully formed feet, but will also help prevent other types of diseases. Due to the fact that at home it is quite difficult to determine the presence of a disease, advanced last degree flat feet can can also be observed in young children. Stage 3 disease has the same pronounced symptoms as in adults.
It is recommended to treat last-degree flat feet in children mainly with folk remedies or traditional medical methods. It is absolutely not necessary to treat the disease with surgery.
This can be explained by the fact that the growing body of children is better rebuilt, and the properties of healing and regeneration are especially effective at this age. But there are cases when surgical intervention is still necessary in order to cure grade 3 deformity. It is used only after using traditional therapy and after reaching the age of 10 years.
Each parent wants the best for their child, so they are very sensitive to the health of their children. If your child is diagnosed with flat feet, do not panic; you need to adequately assess the situation.
Children's bodies grow, all organs develop, and the foot forms its own bends and curvatures. Weak muscles, pliable bones - all these are conditions for the development of flat feet; it is not recommended to treat it yourself; this should be done by a specialist.
The whole point of treating flat feet in children before the development of the foot is complete is its prevention. An orthopedist recommends wearing special shoes for children for a year, ideally until the foot is fully formed.
Do not put shoes on your child until he can walk. Encourage children to walk barefoot on sand, small pebbles, and grass - this strengthens the foot muscles. If this is not possible, create artificial bumps in the apartment for your child using large beads, nuts, and sand.
Do not overload children with sports or long walking. A very effective method of preventing flat feet is to massage the legs, in particular the feet, almost from the moment of birth; as the child grows older, your touch will become more intense and prolonged.
After the child begins to confidently stand on his feet and walk, an exercise such as grasping small objects with his toes will be useful. This exercise develops fine motor skills well and strengthens the muscles and ligaments of the child’s legs.
Before analyzing the symptoms of the pathology, you need to emphasize that you can get grade 3 flat feet on one leg or both at once, it all depends on the cause. Unilateral damage occurs with injuries, increased load on one foot - in drivers, for example.
The main symptom of the disease is pain, and in stage 3 not only the feet or ankles hurt, but also other joints. The knees and pelvic bones begin to suffer first. The pain also affects the muscles in the calves, lower back, and thighs.
Each step is difficult, as the pain intensifies with exercise. Working capacity decreases, athletes have to give up training.
Due to foot deformation, there is a problem with choosing shoes. Externally, there is an expansion of the foot, a change in the shape of the toes, and the formation of calluses and “corns” occurs.
Although longitudinal flatfoot is less common, it causes severe deformation of the foot. Additionally, you can see swelling in the ankle area. There comes a time when the load on the spine increases, the back begins to hurt, and headaches appear. Outwardly, it is noticeable how the thumb is tilted to the side.
With transverse flatfoot, there is a decrease in the size of the feet, their divergence to the sides and the deviation of the first toe outward. Other fingers become hammer-shaped, and stage 3 is characterized by a protruding bone in the big toe.
“Calls” are observed on the sole, constantly increasing in size. As a complication, bursitis may develop with flat feet, which worsens the course of the disease and increases the duration of treatment. As you know, children also suffer, and since in childhood, due to the developed subcutaneous fat layer and flexible skeleton, it is not easy to immediately identify a pathology that is constantly progressing.
This is what can lead to a teenager getting stage 3 of the disease. Symptoms in children are similar to those that appear in adults:
In children, treatment rarely begins with surgery; doctors try to fight it conservatively, prescribing foot massage, exercise therapy and physiotherapy. This opportunity to cure flat feet in children exists due to the capabilities of the growing body and the rapid healing properties.
Let's look at the problematic issue of how to treat advanced flat feet in children and adults and whether it is possible to do without a scalpel. The main complaint with grade 3 flat feet is pain, which has no clear localization. In the initial stages of the disease, the patient was primarily bothered by pain in the sole, which was joined by pain in the calf muscles and knee joint in the second stage.
With the third degree of flat feet, the sole, knees, thigh muscles, hip joint, and lower back hurt. Moreover, the pain is constant, practically not relieved by rest and leads to permanent loss of ability to work. Even minimal physical activity provokes an exacerbation of pain.
On examination, a pronounced deformation of the foot attracts attention: the arch is flattened, the foot is widened, the toes are deformed, the proximal part of the first toe deviates outward - exostosis of the head of the 1st metatarsal bone develops.
A sharp deformation of the foot makes it almost impossible to use ordinary shoes: a person is forced to purchase orthopedic products made to order.
Objective signs of longitudinal flatfoot of the 3rd degree are a decrease in the height of the arch to 17 millimeters or less, as well as an increase in the angle of the longitudinal arch over 156 °. To assess the degree of transverse flatfoot, it is customary to use another anthropometric indicator - the angle between the first and second metatarsal bones. If normally it does not exceed 10°, then with the third degree flatfoot increases to 15-20° or more.
It is no coincidence that we began the material by talking about the consequences and complications of grade 3 flatfoot: deforming arthrosis and spinal pathology are faithful companions of this disease and can dominate the clinical picture.
The presence of these complications makes the conscript unfit for military service, and therefore, if diagnosed with flat feet of the 3rd degree, the army is not scary for a young man. The only thing you need to understand is that the degree of flatfoot, as well as all complications of the underlying disease, must be indicated in the clinical diagnosis (including the stage of arthrosis of the knee and/or hip joints). The military commissar makes a decision based solely on the diagnosis, and not on the basis of complaints, examination or medical history.
Young people with 2nd degree flat feet and signs of 2nd stage arthrosis of large joints of the lower extremities are also exempt from conscription. Clinical and radiological signs of such arthrosis are a narrowing of the joint space by 50% or more, as well as the presence of marginal growths on the articular surfaces.
All these radiological signs indicating the stage of the disease must be listed in the clinical diagnosis, otherwise it will be extremely difficult to avoid taking the oath.
Strictly speaking, it is believed that grade 3 flatfoot in adults is already an indication for surgical intervention. However, conservative treatments for flat feet can also help - but, unfortunately, do not completely get rid of the problem.
The most important thing is to approach the decision comprehensively and strictly follow all instructions. Namely:
As for orthosoles, curves and convexities are what distinguishes them from ordinary insoles: a raised roll zone, a deepening of the heel area, thickening of the back of the insole, special wedges for adjustment relative to the support of the foot. The main and best material is genuine leather. It is allowed to use insoles made of polymer. You can read more about how to choose orthopedic insoles for various types of flat feet on our website.
If it is impossible to select the right one from the variety available in a pharmacy or specialty store, you can order it. To do this, you need to come to your attending orthopedic doctor, who will take all the measurements and draw up a prescription for your future orthopedic insole;
Treatment of grade 3 flat feet in most cases is not carried out conservatively, since irreversible deformation processes occur, the person experiences severe pain and not only in the legs. Longitudinal flatfoot has a greater chance of cure; with it, you can do without surgery, stopping the progression of the disease.
For this purpose, massage, physical therapy, and physiotherapy are prescribed. It is imperative to reduce the load on your legs, and if you are obese, go on a diet.
If there is no effect from such treatment, then an operation such as a tendon transplant or resection of part of the bones is prescribed. After the operation, you need to develop a technique for practicing exercise therapy, which will have to be done for a long time.
The main nuance of treating any form of flat feet is wearing orthopedic shoes or insoles. Moreover, even with a unilateral lesion, it is undesirable to wear one insole or orthopedic boot, since the load on the second leg increases. Symptoms of pain can be relieved by taking or injecting drugs from the NSAID group; hormones (glucocorticoids) are prescribed. For transverse flatfoot of the 3rd degree, the possibility of surgery is high. Unfortunately, the pathology cannot be cured in other ways.
The possible effect of conservative treatment is minimal, since pain will not allow you to do exercise therapy, massage and other procedures. Osteopathy and reflexology techniques help with pain in the joint and spine.
After the operation, there is a chance (and more than one) to recover fully, the main thing is to follow the rules of rehabilitation, undergo a course of physical therapy, you need to monitor your weight and wear orthopedic shoes.
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, improving the 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, surgery will forever save
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.