The feet provide support for the body, allowing it to remain in an upright position. They carry a colossal burden. Foot diseases affect not only the condition of the legs, but also the entire musculoskeletal system (arthrosis, intervertebral hernia, etc.). It is important to recognize the symptoms of pathology in time and begin timely treatment. How to treat flat feet? A qualified doctor will help you do this.
The gradual development of flat feet leads not only to internal changes in the body, but also becomes visible to the naked eye. A person’s gait is disturbed - it becomes heavier, swaying, awkward (“duck” gait). Even wearing shoes for a short time, even very comfortable ones, causes discomfort in the legs, and in severe degrees of the disease - in the knees, hips, and lumbar spine . Visually, the foot becomes more flattened. Feet no longer fit into daily used boots. Flat feet are especially dangerous for a child or children.
Pathological changes occur in the body itself: due to the fact that the center of gravity shifts backward due to the flattening of the feet, the body leans forward. The patient is forced to take this position in order to maintain balance. The spine arches. Sooner or later this leads to scoliosis, intervertebral hernias, and pinched nerve roots.
The feet, losing their shock-absorbing function, now serve as supports for a person to prevent him from falling, and when walking, running, jumping and other motor activities cannot provide the same lightness and grace. The load, partially distributed over all parts of the musculoskeletal system, leads to the development of irreversible processes in the ankle, knee, and hip joints. Diseases of the legs and spine (arthrosis, herniated vertebrae) are inevitable with advanced flat feet, therefore, the sooner the measures prescribed by the doctor are taken, the greater the chance of defeating the insidious disease.
Types of flat feet are divided according to the causes and nature of the deformation. Flat feet are caused by the following factors:
Only a doctor can determine the extent and complexity of the disease.
The degrees of the disease can be divided into mild, moderate and severe, depending on how severe the symptoms are, and the damage also affects other organs.
At different age stages, the bones of the foot undergo constant changes, and only in adulthood can we say that severe degrees of flat feet can only be cured by a surgeon.
There is such a term - flexible flatfoot. It is directly related to children whose arches are just forming before the age of 5. You can reassure parents who are worried about this, because the ligamentous-muscular system and bones of the child or children cannot yet hold the foot in a “rigid” position. The doctor will tell you about this in detail. The child’s well-being speaks for itself. He does not complain of pain in his legs, he runs and jumps without difficulty, which means everything is fine with his feet. This is not flat feet.
But there are children who experience pain in the lower extremities.
Wearing children's orthopedic shoes with insoles when a mild stage of the disease is detected. Shoes for a child or children aged 5-7 years should not be too bulky or tight, not too wide or narrow. The material should fit tightly around the leg, preventing it from “riding.” The backs should be comfortable and not too hard. This is exactly what orthopedic shoes are. Special insoles are made taking into account the structure of children's feet. Such shoes are convenient to use, and they stop the process of further deformation of the child or children’s feet and form the correct arch of the longitudinal and transverse arch. The doctor often prescribes the use of orthopedic shoes.
Swimming. Improves blood circulation in tissues, relaxes “tight” muscles, and thanks to the massage effect allows you to gently correct the shape of your feet. However, certain types of swimming are not recommended, for example crawl, as the load on the legs is too great.
Fitball exercise. The mind of a child or children aged 5-7 years perceives exercises on a fitball as a fun game. To make it comfortable for him to jump on it, you need to pay attention to the baby’s position. If your legs are bent at a right angle and there are handles that are comfortable to hold on to, this is what you need. Thanks to jumping on a fitball, the muscles of the feet and back are trained. When jumping, your legs should be parallel to each other. The doctor will recommend which exercises are best.
Rubber texture mat . Any uneven surface is a kind of “simulator” for the feet of a child or children 5-7 years old. Not all children will agree to walk or run on hard, textured surfaces. And rubber mats are received with a bang. The rubber springs under the pressure of the feet, but nevertheless has an excellent healing effect.
Walking on sand, grass, logs. You cannot walk on flat and hard surfaces, as they “flatten” the foot and muscles even more. Whenever possible, especially in the summer, a 5-7 year old child should be allowed to run barefoot. Lumpy, uneven surfaces massage the tissues of the feet and cause the muscle fibers to contract. The result is a double benefit: effortless massage and training of the muscular-ligamentous apparatus.
Massage. Allows you to eliminate congestion in tissues at home, accelerates blood flow, relaxes muscles, allows ligaments to return to their normal position (with a short Achilles tendon, the child experiences constant pain).
Electrophoresis. The doctor often prescribes this procedure. Aimed at relieving tension, improving the conduction of nerve impulses, contracting muscle fibers, and restoring tissue sensitivity.
The condition of teenagers' feet can be corrected and improved up to 11-13 years of age, even at home. Although by the age of 6-7 years the transverse and longitudinal arches of the foot are almost formed, nevertheless, in case of pathologies they are subject to therapeutic effects and are straightened. Doctors believe that parents should not worry about this issue until the child reaches 10-12 years of age. But obvious deterioration of the condition, frequent complaints of pain in the legs, incorrect position of the feet at rest and while walking should alert you. Only a specialist can determine whether a child has flat feet or not.
In adults it is no longer possible to correct flat feet, but it is possible to slow down and reduce pain. The bones are formed, the muscles and ligaments “adjust” to the deformed sections so that the person can somehow move. The load is “divided” among the entire musculoskeletal system. Hence the crooked back, arthrosis of the knee joints, protrusion of intervertebral discs and severe degrees of other diseases.
For foot correction for adolescents and adults (subtalar arthreroeresis)
In cases where traditional methods have failed, surgical intervention is used.
An implant is inserted into a small incision (2 cm) made between the talus and calcaneus to return the bones of the arch of the feet to the correct position. The bone tissue is not damaged at all, and the operation lasts no more than 30-40 minutes. Interestingly, already on the 2nd day the patient begins to move independently. He doesn't need crutches for this. He is discharged from the hospital and can continue to work and lead his usual lifestyle. The implants are removed when a stable result is achieved.
The only thing that reminds me of the operation is a tiny scar at the incision site. Very little trauma.
Unfortunately, all the measures that the patient takes at home ultimately lead only to the relief of pain and relaxation of strained muscles. The pathology itself in adults cannot be corrected at home. Flat feet and arthrosis will no longer disappear.
High-quality prevention helps prevent the development of flat feet.
When performing a massage, it is necessary to take into account that the innervation of nerve endings begins not in the area of the feet, but in the spine, therefore massage movements should be carried out at the level of the back, gradually moving to the legs. Pressure, vibration, twisting and other movements are used. The arches of the feet in adults, the Achilles tendons, the heel area, and the toes are carefully worked out. The pain goes away, the muscles relax. A pleasant tingling sensation in the legs indicates that blood is flowing through the vessels and capillaries to the most remote corners.
A good effect can be achieved if you also use salt baths. For 1 liter of water that is not very hot (so that it can be tolerated), add 1 tablespoon of salt. The feet should be immersed in salty liquid for 15-20 minutes. After which the feet should be wiped with a soft, dry cloth. The effect will be enhanced by light massage movements after this procedure.
1. Place your legs on the same line: one leg is behind the other. As you inhale, rise on your toes, hold for 3-5 seconds, and as you exhale, lower onto your heels. Repeat 15 times. Change the position of your legs. Repeat 15 more times.
2. Place a block or brick on the floor. Toes are elevated, heels are down. Hold for 10-15 seconds. Give your legs a rest. Repeat again. Number of exercises – 15-20.
3.Walk for 2-3 minutes on the inner ribs of the feet.
4.Walk for 2-3 minutes on the outer edges of the feet.
5.Feet are parallel. Body support goes more to the outer edges of the foot. “Twist” with force, squeeze your fingers. Shift your body weight by rolling from your little fingers to your thumbs. Then in the opposite direction. The number of repetitions is from 5 to 10.
The foot of a newborn baby is different from the foot of an adult. It is flat at birth and goes through a number of changes over time. Therefore, a baby cannot be diagnosed with flat feet at birth. Its leg will be fully formed later. But if the diagnosis is confirmed, it is necessary to treat flat feet in children. Treatment at an early age is much easier. In most cases, the child's disease is cured.
From the moment of birth, the arches of the baby’s feet are filled with a specific fatty layer. It begins to collapse when the child learns to walk. For this reason, a newborn's footprint appears flat. The foot takes on a shape similar to that of an adult foot when the child turns three years old. By this time, muscles, bones, and ligaments are also strengthened. The baby becomes more resilient with prolonged stress on the legs. Somewhere around the age of six, a child can run with his foot on his toe. Also at this age, more correct walking (gait) is formed. Muscle endurance and strength increase after seven years. And at ten years old, the structure of a teenager’s foot is similar to an adult’s foot.
With each subsequent year of growing up the baby, the arch of the lower surface of the leg acquires more and more distinct outlines.
But if disturbances occur during the formation of the foot, for some reason, then flat feet occur.
Also, this pathology can manifest itself in adulthood, even if there was no such diagnosis in childhood. The disease is divided into two types. The first degree includes physiological flat feet. It manifests itself in the age period up to three years. This form is not a pathology and does not require treatment. By about six years of age, the child’s foot will have formed and will be normal. The second degree of the disease is static flatfoot. It develops more often than the first.
The reasons in this case are:
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Only a doctor can make an accurate, substantiated diagnosis. To do this, he prescribes plantography for the child. During this test, a person's feet are covered with a special product and asked to stand on clean sheets of paper. Based on this imprint, a diagnosis of flat feet is made and treatment is prescribed. Such a survey provides informative indicators in adults. When examining children, errors may be made due to incomplete formation of the foot. Therefore, the younger the child, the flatter the print will be. The final diagnosis is made by an orthopedist.
Flat feet of any degree must be treated, or rather, measures must be taken for the correct formation of the foot. It is very important for children under one year old to visit an orthopedist. During this period of life, it is possible to determine whether the child has a tendency to flat feet.
With flat feet, even at an early stage, a child may complain of pain in the foot when walking or running. Pain can be felt in the knee, lower leg, and spine. The gait is disrupted, its smoothness and lightness are lost. Children may avoid active games.
Flat feet in early preschool age are no more than 3%. The congenital form of the pathology is extremely rare. According to a number of studies and statistics from scientists, children suffer from flat feet three times more often than those who constantly wear shoes. The pathology is further aggravated by the fact that shoes may be too tight or too big. Therefore, to prevent the disease, it is very useful for children to run barefoot. Natural conditions favor normal development of the foot. The load placed on the leg also plays a big role in the formation of the foot. The risk of developing flat feet increases with low physical activity. This reason is relevant due to the fact that modern children spend a lot of time with a tablet in their hands or in front of the TV at home. Such factors are attributed to a sedentary lifestyle. This can provoke not only foot pathology, but also many other diseases. Also, a consequence of flat feet is a violation of normal posture.
When choosing children's shoes, you need to pay attention to a number of important requirements for their choice. Shoes must have a hard heel to secure children's heels. The presence of an instep support acts as a compensator due to the absence of unevenness under the sole when walking. Children's shoes must have a small heel (0.5 cm). It is not recommended to wear someone else's shoes, as they are already deformed and can damage the baby's foot. Also, worn-out shoes will contribute to uneven distribution of the load on the foot.
A nutritious, healthy diet plays an important role in the growth and proper formation of the foot. The body must receive sufficient amounts of calcium, phosphorus and vitamins. A growing body benefits from barefoot walks and foot massages, an alternative to which is the use of a special massage mat. You can make it yourself at home from plastic bottle caps, chestnuts or pebbles. Walking on such a massage mat perfectly stimulates the feet and active points on them. This will have a beneficial effect on the entire body. It is also a replacement for walking on natural uneven surfaces (sand, pebbles). In nature, you can leave your child’s feet in socks. After all, the effect comes from the contact of the foot with the surface. The main condition is the absence of shoes on your feet. At home, you can pour dry peas on the floor and ask your baby to walk on them. This serves as a good prevention for the development of flat feet in children.
How to treat flat feet in children? In childhood, longitudinal flatfoot of varying degrees often occurs. It can be cured without surgery. If the disease is congenital, then you need to start treating the disease as early as possible. For these purposes, plaster casting of the limbs or wearing a splint (special reusable splints for the leg) are used.
The disease cannot be started. A consultation with a doctor will suggest the optimal solution to the pathology. If you start the process, then the longitudinal flatfoot may be joined by the transverse one. This degree of disease will be more difficult to cure. Treatment of longitudinal flatfoot is aimed at strengthening bone tissue, muscles and ligaments. Then the foot will return to normal on its own. For this, children are prescribed a course of therapeutic massage and special gymnastics. The treatment is based on special physical exercises aimed at improving muscle tone.
Foot massage for flat feet of any degree can improve blood circulation in the feet. You can do it yourself at home. Timely prevention will help get rid of the adverse consequences of the pathology.
You need to perform special gymnastics to improve muscle tone. Such exercises include:
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Recently, during routine examinations, orthopedists are increasingly diagnosing flat feet in children 7-14 years old. This is due to an unbalanced diet, poor in microelements, weakness of the child’s muscles due to a sedentary lifestyle and wearing poor-quality shoes.
Parents' inattention to the deformation of their child's foot can lead to dire consequences. Therefore, treatment of flat feet in children should begin as early as possible. If measures to correct the foot are taken before the age of 12, then the pathology can be completely eliminated.
Congenital flat feet are quite rare and are usually detected before the child begins to walk. Therefore, such pathology begins to be treated on time. But the acquired form of the disease is more dangerous, since parents often do not pay attention to changes in the shape of the child’s foot. They do not take any measures and cannot connect the emerging problems in the child’s health with flat feet. This approach can lead to dire consequences. After all, the foot performs very important functions in the human body: it redistributes the load and works as a shock absorber, protecting the joints and spine from shocks.
If you do not start treating flat feet on time, the child will face unpleasant consequences in the future. First of all, this is a change in the shape of the legs due to improper distribution of the load. The limbs become O-shaped or X-shaped. This leads to the formation of bunions on the big toe, calluses and corns on the foot. This condition will especially bother girls, since it is very noticeable outwardly.
Redistribution of the load on the lower limbs causes deformation of the knee and hip joints. Because of this, arthrosis can develop already in adolescence. But most often, untreated flat feet affect the condition of the spine.
A change in gait and a decrease in the shock-absorbing functions of the foot leads to curvature of posture, displacement of discs or vertebrae. This causes back pain, the development of osteochondrosis, intervertebral hernia and scoliosis.
Flat feet can be cured if you start taking action when its first signs are identified. It is advisable that this be done until the child is 12-13 years old. After this age, it is very difficult to correct the pathology, and may even require surgical intervention. Therefore, parents need to carefully observe the baby’s gait and how he places his legs. And if you suspect a pathology, immediately consult a doctor.
Treatment must begin with eliminating the cause of the deformity, otherwise it will not be effective. First of all, you need to remove increased stress and prevent foot injuries. To do this, you will have to stop playing sports for the duration of treatment. Dancing, weightlifting, jumping, and skating are especially harmful for flat feet.
The next step should be to change the child's diet. It is necessary to give up foods that lead to excess weight, and increase the amount of foods containing calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins in the diet. In addition, it is often recommended to replace shoes. For children, you need to choose shoes with a small heel, a hard back and a soft top.
Severe congenital foot deformities may require surgery
In some cases, in the case of a congenital form of the pathology with severe deformation of the foot, as well as in severe cases of the disease, surgical treatment is prescribed after the completion of the formation of the skeleton. This may include cutting and lengthening the adductor hallux tendon, securing the foot bones with implants in the correct position, or fixing the joint with knitting needles using the Dobbs method.
But surgery is a very traumatic treatment method. Scars remain and a long recovery is required. Therefore, doctors try to first resort to conservative methods of correcting flat feet.
If a child is diagnosed with flat feet, parents need to be patient and use all methods to combat this problem. This disease is chronic, in most cases its course is progressive. Therefore, treatment must be comprehensive, and even if all the doctor’s recommendations are followed, it most often lasts several years.
But if measures to eliminate flat feet are started before the age of 6-7, then the pathology can be corrected. In this case, only conservative treatment is sufficient. The following methods are used for this:
After examination and diagnostic procedures, the doctor chooses an individual treatment plan
This is usually sufficient in most cases. But sometimes it is necessary to use additional methods of therapy. For example, if severe pain requires the use of medications, many parents resort to traditional methods. For congenital deformities, casting using the Ponseti method is used. If the treatment is carried out in a complex manner and all the doctor’s recommendations are followed, then in most cases it is possible to completely eliminate the foot deformity.
It is this method that orthopedists consider the most effective for treating flat feet. It is recommended to exercise 2-3 times a day. Special exercises help strengthen muscles and ligaments, improve joint mobility, and activate blood circulation. Most of them are performed while sitting on a chair or standing.
Therapeutic exercises are the most effective way to correct foot deformities
This method is effective at any stage of the disease. Massage for flat feet in children includes techniques such as stroking, kneading, rubbing, and tapping. They activate blood circulation and improve muscle tone.
Not only the feet should take part in the massage; it is necessary to engage the calf muscles, hips, and lower back. Any movements during the procedure should not be painful for the child. For young children, the massage is given by their mother; teenagers can do it themselves.
Regular massage with your hands or with the help of special devices helps improve blood circulation and tone muscles.
It is very effective to use various devices for foot massage. These can be needle rollers, balls and other massagers. Hydromassage, which can be done at home using a shower, is useful. Orthopedists often recommend using an orthopedic mat for massage for children with flat feet. You can purchase it ready-made or make it yourself.
Another effective method of treating flat feet is the use of warm foot baths. When carried out in the evenings, they help relieve muscle tension, fatigue and pain. It is best to add sea salt or herbal decoctions to the water - oak bark, sage, mint. Contrast baths are also useful for strengthening the muscles of the feet. First, the child should steam his feet for 2-4 minutes in hot water, then immerse them in cold water for a few seconds. This is repeated 3-5 times.
Physiotherapy is very effective for flat feet. The most commonly used method is shock wave therapy. Its essence is that the foot is affected by low-frequency sound. This helps strengthen the ligaments and improve blood circulation. Calcium electrophoresis is also often used. The following methods are also considered effective: acupuncture, electromyostimulation, hirudotherapy, mud therapy, paraffin baths, ozokerite.
An important step in the treatment of flat feet in children is choosing the right shoes. In severe cases, it is necessary to have special orthopedic boots made to order according to individual measurements. But most often it is enough to follow some rules for choosing ordinary shoes.
For children with flat feet, special shoes must be used.
Often the first thing orthopedists do is recommend the use of special orthopedic insoles in regular shoes. They reduce the load on the foot and improve its shock-absorbing functions.
Video on how to choose children's shoes:
If the disease is accompanied by severe pain or swelling of the ankle joints, doctors recommend the use of drug therapy. These can be non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, for example, Nurofen, agents for strengthening venous vessels, for example, Troxevasin or heparin ointment. Vitamin complexes containing vitamin D and calcium are useful. But medications only relieve symptoms and do not help cure the disease.
Often, when treating children for flat feet, one has to face difficulties. Only patience and perseverance of parents can bring positive results. To do this, you need to learn how to massage flat feet in children, since many children do not tolerate a professional course from a massage therapist, when you need to lie down for 30-40 minutes. Therefore, it is recommended to perform the necessary massage movements 3 times a day for 10-15 minutes. Gymnastics is also best done at home, doing short exercises several times a day.
If the child walks barefoot more often and plays outdoor games, flat feet and its complications can be avoided
Orthopedists often give parents the following recommendations:
The success of treating flat feet in a child depends, first of all, on his parents. Only their patience and perseverance can correct the deformity and prevent complications.
Many parents face the problem of flat feet. And this is really a problem, since flat feet are not just a cosmetic defect. The health of a child depends on the condition of his feet.
Flat feet are considered a physical condition of the foot. When the disease occurs, the foot is flattened or completely flat: it touches the surface at all points.
The foot begins to form from the baby’s first steps and becomes similar to an adult foot at the age of three to four years. If it is formed incorrectly, flat feet may occur. In rare cases, no more than 3%, flat feet in children are congenital.
Until the age of five to six years, the child develops and forms bones. Therefore, before this age, it is quite difficult to determine whether a child has a disease. Despite this, it is necessary to pay attention to certain signs in order to prevent a possible problem.
Before one year of age, the baby's foot begins to form and begins to take his first steps. Show your child to an orthopedist to avoid abnormal development of the leg and to clarify what measures to take to prevent the development of flat feet.
Almost all two-year-old children have physiological flat feet. The foot looks completely flat because the development of bones and muscles is not fully completed. At this time, the fat pad serves as a shock absorber, which makes the leg flat.
Flat feet in a three-year-old child can already be determined by some signs:
If these signs occur, you should consult an orthopedist for an initial diagnosis of the disease, take a foot print, and check the condition of the spine. At the age of seven, it is mandatory to undergo a routine examination to prevent the disease. Remember that it is quite easy to cure flat feet at an early age. Once you reach the age of 10, it is much more difficult to get rid of this pathology.
This disease is not fatal, but if measures are not taken, it can have serious consequences:
There are two types of flat feet in children:
Congenital pathology is transmitted through the genes of the parents. Only an experienced orthopedist can determine the disease at 2-3 years of age.
Acquired pathology in a child can occur due to:
Forms of acquired flatfoot.
The development of the disease can be noticed and prevented at the very beginning of its development. Signs of flat feet:
Flat feet can be transverse, longitudinal and combined and have four stages of development:
The degree of flat feet in children under 10 years of age is assessed by foot prints. How to make a print at home?
Carefully paint the inside of the foot with any washable paint or oil. The child should place his feet on a landscape sheet of paper and stand on it without moving for 30 seconds to one minute.
After this, you can evaluate the print. If the notch in the middle is equal to half the width of the foot, then everything is normal.
A width of slightly more than one third means that the baby has the first degree of the disease. Less than one third is the second degree and, if there is no notch at all, the third degree.
Flat feet is a chronic disease, and if measures are not taken, it will progress and lead to the above-mentioned consequences. Treatment depends on age and stage of the disease. There is more cartilage in a small child's foot than bones. It is quite easy to put them in the correct position. The chance of proper ossification is very high.
In combination with massage and therapeutic physical exercises, proven folk remedies have proven themselves to be excellent:
Don't forget that these methods are only auxiliary. To obtain an effective result, it is necessary to do therapeutic exercises, massage and wear orthopedic shoes.
The complex must be developed by an experienced orthopedist. At first, the exercises are carried out together with an instructor, then you can do them with your child on your own.
Recommended set of exercises:
In childhood, it is effective at all stages of flat feet. The massage consists of kneading, stroking, rubbing and tapping. As a result of such techniques, blood circulation increases and muscle tone is restored. The massage is done effortlessly and should not cause pain.
Until the child is one year old, the mother gives massage to the child. A teenager can perform massage independently. Effectively use orthopedic mats, balls, rollers and any other massagers.
An orthopedic mat is easy to make with your own hands. Buttons, pebbles, plastic caps, and rough flat objects are glued or sewn onto a piece of fabric.
There are also great benefits from walking barefoot on sand, pebbles, grass or along forest paths. The ideal choice for a child is the use of hydromassages.
Prescribed by an orthopedist for stages 1 and 2 of the disease. Such shoes are sold only in specialized stores; you can buy them using a special recipe. At the third stage, shoes can only be ordered at special factories.
Orthopedic insoles are also recommended for flat feet. They keep the foot in the correct position, relieve the spine, improve blood circulation and overall well-being.
With the right approach, you can correct flat feet in a child or avoid the disease. To do this you need to follow simple steps:
By following these simple recommendations, you can prevent flat feet and maintain your child’s health.