The human foot bears a colossal load, allowing a person to move freely in space. Fluctuations in body weight always result in changes in the arch area. Any deformations are characterized by a permanent change in the natural appearance. Such changes can affect the length of individual bones, as well as the strength of tendons and ligaments. When a person experiences deforming changes in the limbs, his gait is disrupted, discomfort and pain appear during physical activity.
The reason for such changes is the incorrect distribution of human weight over the entire area of the feet. Deforming changes occur with equal frequency in males and females, regardless of age. The risk group includes people suffering from chronic diseases of the musculoskeletal system, athletes, as well as people whose work activities involve excessive stress on their legs.
The most common causes of deformation are:
Even a slight deformation of the foot area can cause the development of diseases such as arthrosis and osteochondrosis. In addition, people with deformities experience changes in posture, even scoliosis.
Depending on the location of pathological changes, it is customary to distinguish the following types of deformations:
There is also a congenital type of deformation. This type of deformation is not so common, but it cannot be completely excluded. A striking representative of congenital pathologies is equinus deformity of the foot and vertical deformation of the talus area. This disease is caused by congenital malformations of fibrous (connective) tissue. During the period of age-related growth of the musculoskeletal system, the muscles do not keep up with the growth rate of individual bones, as a result of which they shift beyond the anatomical norm.
Each type of deformity has its own clinical picture. Common signs of foot shape abnormalities include:
Clubfoot is characterized by the inability to turn the leg inward and turn the toe. With different types of flat feet, a person has a heavy gait. In order to reduce pain, a person tries to lean on the edge of the leg while walking. Changes in the shape of the feet due to hammertoe and hallux valgus cause the impossibility of wearing tight shoes, as well as shoes with heels.
When making a diagnosis, the medical specialist takes into account the patient’s complaints, as well as clinical examination data. Mandatory criteria are the position of the foot, range of motion in the ankle and metatarsal joints, as well as the appearance of the legs. To obtain a reliable diagnosis, the following methods are used:
Each type of deformation requires an individual approach. To correct some diseases, conservative treatment is sufficient, while in other clinical cases the patient is recommended to undergo surgical intervention.
In the congenital form of the disease, foot correction begins from the first days of the child’s life. A pediatric orthopedist manually moves the baby's leg into the correct anatomical position, after which it is fixed with a plaster cast. Over time, the plaster is replaced with a splint, which is applied before bedtime. When the baby turns 3 years old, he is prescribed physical therapy and massage.
Conservative treatment of acquired clubfoot involves the use of special inserts and orthopedic shoes. Physiotherapy and exercise therapy are used as additional techniques. If this treatment is insufficiently effective, patients undergo arthrodesis.
Treatment of all types of flat feet is carried out using conservative methods. Such patients are recommended to wear orthopedic insoles, correction with plaster casts, physical therapy, massage and hardware physiotherapy.
To eliminate this type of deformation, fixing splints and redressing bandages, correctors for the foot and toes, orthopedic shoes, bandages, specialized traction and heel splints are used. If conservative therapy does not produce a positive result, then patients are prescribed arthrodesis of the ankle joint.
The congenital form of the disease can be treated conservatively with re-dressing plaster casts and fixing splints. If the deformity is acquired, then only surgery can correct it.
To eliminate a bump on the leg, physiotherapeutic treatments, therapeutic exercises, massage, anti-inflammatory ointments, fixing bandages and splints are used. If the disease progresses, the person is prescribed surgical treatment. Surgical treatment of hallux valgus can be carried out using the following techniques:
In order to correct the shape of the fingers, such types of devices as orthopedic splints, socks, overlays, inserts and caps are used. Also, therapeutic massage, gymnastics, and physiotherapy are recommended for patients. In advanced cases, hammertoe deformity can be corrected through surgery. This type of treatment can be either radical or symptomatic.
If deforming changes occur, a person may require additional consultation with a neurologist. Throughout the entire period of therapy, constant medical monitoring of the dynamics of the disease is recommended.
Arthrosis of the foot is a degenerative disease of the joint, which manifests itself in the form of an inflammatory process in soft tissues and destruction of cartilage. Such changes in tissues appear as a result of metabolic disorders in cartilage tissues and deterioration of blood circulation in them. Until now, scientists around the world have not been able to establish the cause of this type of change.
The most typical and striking symptoms of arthrosis of the foot are, of course, pain in the foot . In the area of the foot you can clearly observe slight swelling, slight redness with a slight increase in temperature in the area of edema ( as a consequence of inflammatory processes ). In this case, movement of the foot is difficult and very painful. A patient with arthrosis of the foot is recognized by a slight limp.
The main and most effective method for diagnosing arthrosis of the foot is radiography . In the patient's photograph, one can notice changes in the surface of the joints of the foot bones that form the joint, namely, unevenness of the bone surface and a decrease in the joint space.
Depending on the clinical picture of the disease, there are three stages of foot arthrosis:
A patient with deforming arthrosis of the foot is easily recognized by his characteristic gait. When moving, a patient with arthrosis of the foot tries to shift the load to the outer edge of the foot , trying to reduce pain, which is directly related to the physical impact on the painful joint. In areas of increased stress, painful calluses may appear under the phalanx of the first finger. Serious pain in the foot area is felt not only when walking, but also in a calm state. Patients with deforming arthrosis of the foot have decreased ability to work and fatigue .
for arthrosis of the foot
Doctors D. Volobuev and P. Zhadan are investigating
X-rays for arthrosis of the foot
The cause of the development of deforming arthrosis of the foot can be primarily excessive loads on the joint. The disease can also be caused by prolonged standing on your feet in uncomfortable shoes, as well as carrying heavy objects. People with increased body weight are at risk of developing foot arthrosis.
Another important risk factor is injury or dislocation of the joints. This includes accidental foot injuries, as well as chronic microtraumas that are often found in athletes. In addition to the above reasons, the development of deforming arthrosis of the foot is facilitated by regular hypothermia of the feet . If a person wears narrow and uncomfortable shoes, then he automatically falls into the risk zone.
If there are medical indications and there are referral quotas, our center performs operations using funds allocated under the program for the provision of high-tech medical care (HTMC)
Treatment of foot arthrosis is divided into conservative and surgical. In the treatment of first-degree arthrosis of the foot, conservative therapeutic methods are very successful, which include:
For the treatment of second and third degree arthrosis of the foot, our center provides successful surgical treatment using the following methods:
The course of PRP treatment is 2-3 procedures.
It is necessary to take an x-ray of the knee and hip joints. With the results of the x-ray, make an appointment with a specialist.
Moscow, st. Moskvorechye 16
Federal Medical and Biological Agency of Russia
Pain and discomfort in the legs when moving bother every second woman over the age of 30 and every fifth man. Heels that provide a beautiful gait and add spice to the movements of the hips do their job. Difficulty moving, swelling, and a gradually deforming contour of the foot is arthrosis of the small joints of the foot, the treatment of which must begin immediately to prevent more serious consequences. Like most pathologies related to aging and “wear and tear” of the body, osteoarthritis does not have a reverse course of the disease.
The mobility of bone joints is ensured by smooth cartilage and washing fluid, which acts as a lubricant. This type of tissue is a shock absorber, smoothing out loads and preventing bone tissue from destruction. The porous structure of cartilage contains a kind of secretion - a “matrix”, which, under increased pressure, is released and “lubricates” the parts of this mechanism, which is in almost constant motion. Cartilage fibers that are destroyed during life are restored naturally, if there are no other factors that disturb the balance between the number of lost and growing capsules. Treatment of arthrosis of the foot consists of normalizing these processes, creating conditions for the full functioning of the entire apparatus of the foot.
Subtypes of arthrosis of small joints of the foot correspond to the name of the individual bones affected by the pathology:
The most common of the subtypes and the most visually noticeable is arthrosis of the big toe joint: treatment of this deformity, which deprives the foot not only of visual appeal and the ability to wear many types of shoes, is required for 70% of women over 50 years of age.
The characterization of arthrosis as a degree of bone wear clearly suggests the main causes of the disease:
Despite the fact that the named causes of osteoarthritis depend little on the person himself, doctors warn: the fault, as a rule, lies with the patient himself. Wrong choice of shoes, bad habits, careless attitude towards your body and untimely preventive measures are the real causes of this disease. Even statistics confirm this: women, who are more inclined to sacrifice the comfort and quality of shoes for the sake of aesthetics, suffer from the disease in the first place, and ultimately lose this very beauty. The advice of experts is uniform: at the first suspicion of arthrosis of the foot joints, treatment and preventive measures should be followed immediately.
Pain and difficulty moving are the first signs of arthrosis. A decrease in the smoothness of articular cartilage as a result of destruction causes precisely these symptoms, but these are just the first “bells”, often mistaken for banal fatigue after a hard day at work. Quite clearly expressed symptoms will help to recognize foot arthrosis.
The primary diagnosis is made based on complaints and examination of the area causing the greatest concern. Even minor violations are the basis for ordering an x-ray, which becomes the main evidence of degeneration of individual tissues. Additionally, ultrasound and thermography can be prescribed to identify diseases occurring in parallel and caused by osteoarthritis itself: inflammatory processes, blood circulation disorders. An analysis of the blood itself is taken to clarify the causes of the problem. The condition of bone and cartilage tissue, visible on an x-ray, is the basis for assigning a degree and medical prescription to the disease.
Changes that occur in inert tissues as a result of wear and tear cannot be restored. Statements about the successful cure of one degree or another of the disease are an advertising ploy for clinics. All measures are intended only to stop the developing arthrosis of the foot: treatment at home, as well as medication prescriptions, perform the same task. The exception is surgical intervention, but even the result of surgery cannot be called a complete cure for the disease. Removing growths from the bone of the thumb is only a temporary solution to the problem
The key to success in the treatment of arthrosis is an integrated approach. Excluding advanced stages requiring surgical intervention, the patient is prescribed:
Among pharmaceutical preparations, depending on the patient’s condition, analgesics and vitamin and mineral complexes that promote the restoration of bone tissue, as well as chondoprotectors, are prescribed. Additionally, anti-inflammatory drugs may be prescribed. Steroid drugs are prescribed only when the problem is advanced.
There are many remedies that supposedly help with arthrosis, but given the irreparable consequences of the disease, they can only be used after consultation with a doctor.
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Prevention and health care are the only reliable method of getting rid of this disease. As a rule, information about the disease is sought only by those who have already suspected that they or their loved ones have arthrosis of the foot: in this case, symptoms and treatment with folk remedies are of primary interest. But for those who do not see such signs in themselves, there is no reason to relax: the statistics are inexorable. Moderate physical activity, a healthy lifestyle, proper selection of shoes - and arthrosis will be avoided.
The foot is the support of the body. Thanks to its structure, it is able to withstand significant loads. But the peculiarity of the structure of the foot is that changes in any part of it entail a transformation of other structures. Foot deformities lead to changes in gait, rapid fatigue of the legs and limitation of motor activity, including loss of ability to work.
A foot deformity is a change in its shape. The soft tissues of the foot are very elastic and pliable. Let's remember Ancient China, as a result of the tradition of foot binding and walking in small shoes, girls' feet were significantly deformed, sometimes so much so that the woman lost the ability to move. In Ancient China, such deformation of the feet was considered a sign of belonging to high society. Fortunately, these times with their harsh traditions have sunk into oblivion and now girls’ legs are not subject to violent deformation.
Foot deformities can be congenital or acquired. Many factors contribute to changes in the shape of the foot: from hereditarily determined characteristics of the foot structures to past diseases and lifestyle. There are several types of foot deformities:
Clubfoot is often a congenital pathology; there is one case of such deformity per thousand newborns. Clubfoot can be unilateral, although bilateral deformity is more common.
Acquired clubfoot occurs against the background of foot injuries, paralysis of the lower limbs, and deep burns in this area. Clinically, clubfoot is manifested by the following symptoms:
Depending on the severity of the above symptoms, mild, moderate and severe deformation are distinguished.
The gait of people with a similar disease is peculiar: they move in small steps, moving their adducted feet one above the other with their hips slightly abducted and rotated to the side. When walking, the entire load falls on the outer part of the foot.
Due to a shift in the center of gravity in such patients, transverse lordosis increases, and the knee joints become hyperextended and deformed.
The foot is divided into transverse and longitudinal arches. They play the role of a shock absorber, protecting the spine and internal organs from shocks when moving. The arches are held in the required position by bones, ligaments and muscles. Flat feet are characterized by drooping arches. The reasons for the development are a decrease in the elasticity of the ligamentous-muscular apparatus of the foot.
Flat feet can be congenital or acquired. Acquired flatfoot develops as a result of chronic overload of the feet, after rickets, injuries, paralysis of the lower limb and is much more common than congenital. It is worth noting that many children show signs of flat feet at an early age. This feature is due to the fact that the longitudinal arch is formed by the age of seven. With age, the severity of flat feet decreases. So, by the age of nine, only 5-7% of children still have such a deformity.
Flat feet can be transverse or longitudinal. Transverse is characterized by an increase in the distance between the heads of the metatarsal bones. Thus, the load is distributed incorrectly and is concentrated on the front of the foot. The toe flexors are under increased tension, causing the toes to become hammertoe. Another symptom of transverse flatfoot is the development of valgus deviation of the first toe (hallux valgus). In the case of longitudinal flatfoot, the longitudinal arch is flattened, due to which the foot comes into contact with the floor not only partially, but almost the entire area of the sole.
There are three degrees of flat feet, which are determined taking into account the height and angle of the arch. At the initial stage, patients can only notice rapid leg fatigue and sore feet, while advanced stages of flat feet are accompanied by pain, impaired posture and gait.
Foot cavus is a deformity in which the height of the longitudinal arch increases. We can say that a hollow foot is the opposite of a flat foot, when the arch is flattened. The development of such deformation is caused by diseases of the neuromuscular system (cerebral palsy, polyneuropathy, etc.), fractures of the talus or calcaneus, and burns of the foot. Signs of a cavus foot are:
With severe deformation, the foot rests only on the heel hump and the heads of the metatarsal bones, while the middle part of the foot does not come into contact with the ground at all.
The foot is spread out in the area of the heads of the metatarsal bones, which is why calluses often appear in these areas of the skin. Over time, the fingers become deformed and acquire a hammer- or claw-like shape. People with hollow feet complain about foot fatigue and pain.
Hallux valgus (in Latin hallux valgus) is a fairly common disease; people call it a “bump on the foot.” This foot deformity can also be congenital or acquired. But still, the disease often occurs in adulthood. Hallux valgus deformity of the first toe is often observed in tandem with transverse flatfoot.
With hallux valgus, curvature of the first toe occurs at the metatarsophalangeal joint, when the phalanges are located at an angle to each other. Protrusion of the phalanges to the side visually looks like a “bump”.
With hallux valgus, the second finger seems to be superimposed on top of the first, and with significant deformation, the third finger is superimposed on the second. As the first toe deviates, the ligaments and capsule of the metatarsophalangeal joint are stretched, which contributes to the occurrence of subluxations. In addition, inflammation develops in the joint capsule - bursitis. This condition is accompanied by redness and swelling in the metatarsophalangeal joint. People with hallux valgus experience pain in the area of the first toe.
Taylor's deformity is also known as "tailor's foot" because the deformity occurs in this profession due to crossing the legs and leaning on the side of the foot while working.
This disease is characterized by curvature of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the fifth toe, as a result of which a formation is formed at the base of the little toe - a “bump”. A person with a similar problem is worried about swelling of the little finger, its redness, pain, and fatigue of the legs. Very often, varus deviation of the fifth toe is accompanied by hallux valgus.
Often, hammertoes occur in combination with other types of foot deformities: transverse flatfoot or hallux valgus. Hammertoes can also form as a result of cerebral palsy and polio.
Such deformation of the toes occurs as a result of increased tension in the extensor muscles of the toe and overstretching of the flexor muscles. Against the background of such changes, the proximal phalanges of the fingers hyperextend and the middle and distal phalanges bend as much as possible. Subluxations occur in the metatarsophalangeal joints, and subsequently deforming osteoarthritis develops. Soon there is pain in the fingers and feet, which is why the person actually goes to the doctor.
Treatment in the initial stages may be limited to the use of conservative methods. Such treatment methods include:
Redressing is the forced manual removal of a deformed foot to its anatomical position. After which the leg is fixed with redressed bandages. But it is not always possible to eliminate all components of deformation only by redressing.
Important! Treatment of foot deformities in children should be undertaken as early as possible, because at a young age the tissues are very plastic and can be rebuilt with the correct position of the foot. Accordingly, the older the child, the more difficult it is to treat him.
In cases of severe deformation, when the disease worsens a person’s quality of life, surgical treatment is performed. There are the following types of operations:
The development of foot deformities can be prevented with the help of certain recommendations. Prevention should be carried out from the first years of the baby’s life and should include:
As for adults, they need to remember that excess weight and wearing tight, uncomfortable shoes contribute to foot deformation. Therefore, you need to wear comfortable shoes and control your weight - these are complete measures to prevent foot deformation.
Grigorova Valeria, medical observer
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Arthrosis of the foot is a progressive degenerative-dystrophic chronic disease of the joints, in which the cartilage tissue on the articular surface gradually wears out and loses its functional status. Advanced forms of arthrosis can lead to bone destruction and loss of mobility of fingers and limbs. Therapy for osteoarthritis should begin at the debut stage of the disease - this will prevent complications and undesirable consequences of the disease. Arthrosis is treated by an orthopedic surgeon or traumatologist.
There are several variations of osteoarthritis of the foot - arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints, big toe, arthrosis deformans. The most common type is the thumb. The destruction of cartilage is accompanied by inflammatory processes in nearby soft tissues, metabolic disorders, and deterioration of blood circulation.
Arthrosis of the foot in an advanced stage causes deformation of the joints
Arthrosis can affect any joint in the body, but more often degenerative processes develop in the joints with the greatest functional load. In terms of prevalence, arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints of the foot (in particular the big toe) ranks third after lesions of the knee and hip.
Pathological processes quickly lead to joint deformation. The joints of the thumb are especially affected: it is this area that experiences the greatest stress during walking. Foot arthrosis often affects athletes, postmen, couriers and anyone who has to walk a lot.
Arthrosis of the foot can be primary or secondary. The etiology of primary arthrosis has not been adequately studied by medicine; secondary arthrosis is the result of injuries, excessive stress and other factors.
As a rule, the main reason is due to mechanical and biological prerequisites that disrupt the processes of regeneration and renewal of cells of articular cartilage and bones. The disease can be initiated by genetic, metabolic, infectious, traumatic factors.
During the development of pathology, all tissues of the joints are affected, causing their softening, loosening and deformation. Visual changes with arthrosis are clearly visible: the joint becomes deformed, it thickens and takes on an irregular shape.
The most common causes of arthrosis:
Often, arthrosis of the foot and other degenerative diseases of the joints of the lower extremities are a consequence of advanced diabetes mellitus and other pathologies of metabolic processes (including gout).
Schematic illustration of toe joint deformity caused by degenerative disease
In some clinical situations, doctors cannot accurately determine which circumstance was the root cause of deforming processes in the ankle and thumb joints. However, there are factors that have an indirect effect on the functional characteristics of joints:
In some cases, the foot undergoes arthrosis after undergoing operations - for example, correction of hallux valgus.
Lesions of the ankle and toes develop slowly and in stages. Doctors distinguish 3 stages of arthrosis. At the initial stage, the signs are mild or completely absent, while degenerative changes have already begun.
Subsequently, the following symptoms appear:
At stage III of the disease, the affected joint is noticeably deformed, specific calluses appear, and the patient’s motor activity sharply decreases.
For a specialist, diagnosis is not difficult. The presence of arthrosis is indicated by characteristic pain, joint deformities, and limited mobility. If necessary, the doctor prescribes x-rays, blood tests, and arthroscopy.
In the early stages of arthrosis of the feet, massage is an effective treatment method.
Degenerative joint diseases should be treated comprehensively. The primary goal of therapy is to relieve pain and inflammation. Then it is necessary to restore the mobility of the foot and toes and prevent further destruction of cartilage and bone tissue. Traumatologists or orthopedists can treat chronic arthrosis for several years.
At the initial stage of therapy the following is prescribed:
After pain and inflammation are eliminated, more extensive therapy is carried out. Physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed:
These methods restore metabolic processes, stimulate blood circulation, relieve pain, relax muscles and help accelerate the regeneration of cartilage tissue. For further rehabilitation, professional massage and therapeutic exercise courses are prescribed, including classes with special devices and devices.
Exercise therapy should be carried out exclusively under the guidance of experienced instructors: the slightest acceleration of the rehabilitation process can aggravate the situation. Arthrosis is successfully treated in specialized sanatorium institutions.
If the healing effect is weak or absent altogether, the doctor raises the question of radical treatment. There are several options for surgical intervention for progressive arthrosis of the joints of the foot - arthroplasty, fixation of metatarsal bones, elimination of bone growths (osteophytes), replacement of a joint or its parts with artificial elements (endoprosthetics).
Arthrosis or osteoarthritis of the foot appears as a result of pathological changes in the joints of the foot associated with a violation of their shape and function after injury or inflammatory processes.
In most cases, degenerative-dystrophic processes develop against the background of a deformed flat valgus foot, which was formed in adolescence.
Those who suffer most often are those who work a lot while standing - a surgeon, a teacher, a cook, a salesman, a hairdresser. Also at risk are people suffering from degree II–III obesity and professional athletes (track and field athletes, football players, gymnasts, boxers, etc.).
As a rule, deforming arthrosis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint and arthrosis of the talonavicular joint are observed first. In second place in terms of incidence is arthrosis of the subtalar joint. In addition, there is a high probability of developing deforming arthrosis of the foot if the comparison of bone fragments after an ankle fracture is unsatisfactory.
After almost every compression fracture of the calcaneus (heel), arthrosis of the talocalcaneal joint cannot be avoided.
Based on the severity of pain and dysfunction, supplemented by radiological signs of joint deformation, three degrees of osteoarthritis of the foot are distinguished.
The initial stage of the disease, in which pain at rest is practically absent, but appears during physical activity. During examination, minor deformities may be detected that may affect the functionality of the distal lower extremity.
With moderate severity, the pain periodically bothers you at rest and intensifies with physical activity. There is a moderate impairment of function, which is reflected in the deterioration of work and daily life.
If the disease develops according to the classic version, then it is difficult not to notice the characteristic signs of arthrosis of the talonavicular joint and deforming arthrosis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.
With severe damage, patients complain of fairly severe pain, deformation of the joints and articular surfaces of the bones, swelling, serious dysfunction, limitation or inability to perform normal movements, which corresponds to typical deforming osteoarthritis of the foot.
To make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a study of the ankle and foot area (inspection, palpation), and also carefully study mobility in the joints and individual elements of deformation (degree of muscle wasting, deviation of the heel, forefoot, condition of the arches). The diagnosis is confirmed by radiography, which should identify the radiographic symptoms of arthrosis of the foot.
The foot and ankle should be examined while standing, sitting, and in motion. An examination is carried out from all sides and the condition of both legs is compared, swelling, muscle wasting, deformation of the foot and interphalangeal joints, the location of calluses, growths on the bones, and spurs on the heels are identified. The peculiarities of gait and the position of the foot during movement are assessed.
During palpation, the doctor determines pain, swelling, limitation of both passive and active movements, and the nature of the existing deformities. Typically the following data is obtained:
Radiography is the main diagnostic method for joint diseases.
X-ray examination will reveal:
By the nature of the pathological changes revealed by radiography of the distal lower extremities, one can judge the severity and progression of the disease.
The combination of medications, ointments, compresses with means of physical rehabilitation in the form of therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy, massage and manual therapy gives positive results in the treatment of arthrosis of the foot. As for the treatment of deforming arthrosis of the foot, it is almost impossible to cure it, but it is quite possible to stop the progression and significantly improve the current condition.
The choice of one or another therapeutic method must be made individually for each patient.
Medications will help to cope with pain, stop the inflammatory process, prevent the destruction of articular cartilage, and normalize microcirculation and metabolic processes in the affected joints:
Special techniques allow you to increase mobility in joints, strengthen the muscular-ligamentous apparatus, improve regional blood circulation, stimulate trophic processes, reduce pain and prevent the progression of dysfunction. In addition to acupressure, tissue massage occurs, which alleviates the patient’s condition.
In exercise therapy classes, active and passive exercises are alternated, during which each joint is worked out in detail. With severe deforming arthrosis of the foot, the main task of therapeutic exercises is not to cure and restore the functionality of the affected joints, but to maintain mobility in the not yet affected ones.
Taking into account the patient’s condition, classes can be held using various gymnastic apparatus and in the pool.
To normalize microcirculation and metabolism, reduce inflammation, relieve pain and muscle contractures, it is recommended to prescribe.
The type of procedure and duration of treatment is determined by the doctor, based on the severity of the disease and the presence of contraindications.
An integral part of the comprehensive treatment of foot arthrosis is massage, which improves blood circulation, helps reduce swelling, significantly reduces pain and increases range of motion. Massage is also used before and after exercise therapy, as a preparatory and relaxing stage. In the early stages, properly and regularly performed massage can stop the pathological process and alleviate the condition.
In the subacute period, therapeutic exercises, massage and physiotherapeutic procedures best contribute to maintaining the function of the affected joints.
To relieve pain, bee honey, horseradish and silver birch leaves are used in the form of compresses. Fresh cabbage and burdock leaves are used to wrap the affected area, which can reduce pain, swelling and inflammation.
In the absence of optimal results from conservative treatment of arthrosis of the foot, surgical intervention is resorted to. Today, quite a lot of modern methods of surgical treatment have been developed, which can significantly alleviate the patient’s condition, even with very severe forms of the disease.
But orthopedist Sergei Bubnovsky claims that a truly effective remedy for joint pain exists! Read more >>
Arthrosis of the foot is one of the types of localization of degenerative-dystrophic processes occurring in articular cartilage, bone and muscle tissue. A common manifestation of the disease is arthrosis of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the big toe.
The complex structure of the human foot is due to the presence of a large number of small bone elements, connecting joints, ligaments, tendons, surrounded by muscles, as well as blood vessels and nerve endings.
In total, the bone frame of the foot contains 26 bones, divided into zones: tarsus, metatarsus, and toes. The foot provides support and stability for a person in an upright position; in this case, the greatest load falls on the heel, 5 metatarsal bones and bones of the big toe.
The epidemiology of the disease is as follows: arthrosis of the big toe more often affects men after the age of 45-50 years, while deforming arthrosis of other bones of the foot is more typical for women in the age categories of 35-40 years and over 50 years.
Since the tissues and bones of the leg are subject to high loads that occur when supporting the foot, pathological processes in its joints can occur faster than in other groups of joints.
The reasons influencing the occurrence of the disease may be the following:
Some body conditions can provoke the development of arthrosis of the foot:
As a result of many reasons, the articular cartilage of the foot loses moisture, becomes less elastic, cracks and gradually collapses. The situation is also aggravated by impaired blood supply to hyaline cartilage , as a result of which its regeneration processes slow down significantly.
The clinical picture of the disease consists of the following symptoms:
Characteristic signs of sensations with arthrosis of the foot are aching, aching, burning pain, a feeling of stiffness, tightness of the joints. As the disease progresses, there is a proliferation of compensatory elements - bone osteophytes, which can compress soft tissues and nerve endings.
Often, arthrosis of the toes leads to thickening of the knuckles and the formation of Heberden's nodes, which can break through a thin layer of skin. The big toe can move downwards, while the person tries to transfer the load to the outer side of the foot, resulting in clubfoot and lameness.
Depending on the type of affected joint of the foot, the most common forms of the disease are distinguished:
According to the reason that caused the development of the disease, there are:
There are 3 degrees of severity of the disease , characterized by different severity of clinical signs:
Chronic discomfort and inflammation not only significantly reduce a person’s ability to work, but also lead to the appearance of bursitis of the synovial bursae. In this case, severe pain occurs at the slightest touch of the foot.
When arthrosis of the big toe occurs, a common occurrence is compression of the remaining toes due to deformation. As a result, a combined pathology of the foot develops, which is difficult to treat.
In the advanced stage of the disease, the fingers are so tightly fixed in the wrong position that only surgical intervention can return them to their previous state.
Degenerative processes in the bones and cartilage of the joints of the foot lead to limitation of its mobility, and sometimes to disability of the patient.
Collecting anamnesis from the patient’s words and the clinical picture of the disease become the types of examination that determine the diagnosis. To determine the degree of development of arthrosis of the foot, an X-ray examination is performed, including photographs of the foot and lower leg in different projections, and to assess the condition of the muscle tissue, an MRI is performed. To exclude the development of osteoporosis, laboratory tests and densitometry are performed.
Differential diagnosis is carried out with rheumatoid and other types of arthritis, gout, bursitis; soft tissue cysts should be distinguished from other muscle neoplasms.
For successful treatment of arthrosis of the foot, it is necessary to use a complex of conservative methods, as well as a number of physiotherapeutic procedures and a complex of therapeutic exercises:
This treatment may include:
In case of an advanced form of the disease and severe deformation of the foot, surgical intervention is practiced , in which part of the affected bone is removed. In this case, the mobility of the foot is restored, but disturbances in its size and shape may remain.
A prerequisite for therapy is strengthening muscles and warming up joints using exercise therapy.
Examples of exercises could be the following:
Traditional recipes can be used at any stage of the disease:
First of all, practicing a healthy lifestyle includes avoiding alcohol consumption and smoking. To normalize weight, you need to eat healthy food, in small portions, but at least 5 times a day.
An hour after eating, it is recommended to take a short walk (at least for 5-7 minutes). A prerequisite for the patient is to drink clean water or teas and other unsweetened drinks in a volume of 1.5 liters per day.
The main goal of the diet for arthrosis of the foot is to lose weight, for which the calorie content of the diet is reduced by reducing the proportion of fatty, canned and sweet foods, as well as the use of gentle heat treatment (steaming, boiling, baking).
The foods necessary for the body are low-fat meat, sea fish, cereals, legumes, and dairy foods. Be sure to consume dishes with added gelatin, vegetables, berries and fruits, and herbs. You need to monitor your intake of B vitamins with food, which are found in bananas, eggs, baked potatoes, nuts, and milk. Healthy additions to the menu include red pepper, turmeric, and juices (pineapple, citrus, pomegranate).
To prevent the development of the disease, the following rules are observed: