How to cure flat feet in a child

How to treat flat feet in a child

Health Prevention and treatment of flat feet in children Flat feet is a disease that is most common in preschool children. The pathology can be either congenital or acquired. We will talk further about how to diagnose and treat flat feet in children. Flat feet is a rather dangerous disease that can have serious consequences for a child’s health. Because of it, the baby may develop headaches and leg pain. How to detect flat feet in time?

Diagnosis of flat feet in children

Flat feet are diagnosed only with the help of x-rays, during which the foot is examined in two projections and at the moment of loading. If a child has pathologies, the foot in the front part is deformed: it is deviated to the side. The middle part is bent towards the sole, and the heel is greatly shortened. You should consult a doctor when your child complains of leg pain and has a strange gait. Flat feet can also be diagnosed during a medical examination, which children should undergo annually.

Treatment of flat feet in children

A doctor should tell you how to treat flat feet in a child. Correction of flat feet in children of primary school age should be carried out immediately after the diagnosis is made. Usually, in case of congenital pathology, massage, wearing instep supports, and flexion of the sole are prescribed.

The disease can also be treated by wearing a circular plaster cast, which is changed weekly until the foot is completely corrected. It usually takes about six months to wear the bandage. Then the child is prescribed special orthopedic shoes.

There are also special exercises used for flat feet in children, aimed at correcting the arch of the foot. Massage, swimming, and taking vitamins D, B, ATP, and calcium help to cope well with pathology.

If flat feet cannot be eliminated, the child may undergo surgery. Its complexity and scope of intervention depend on the severity of the baby’s foot deformity. During surgery, the tendons in the tibialis minor muscle are lengthened and the talus is secured in a horizontal position. After this, the child is given a mobile plaster cast on the foot.

Prevention of flat feet in children

Prevention of flat feet in children should be carried out both in kindergarten and at home. It is necessary to engage in it from a very early age. Prevention of flat feet in preschool children may include a range of various activities, including:

walking;

exercises for the prevention of flat feet in children, developing and strengthening the muscles of the foot and lower leg;

foot massage

Secondary prevention against developing flat feet in children also includes exercise therapy. They help prevent further development of pathology and eliminate emerging signs of flat feet.

To prevent flat feet in children, special orthopedic shoes can be used.

Comprehensive preventive measures will help prevent flat feet in a child and will have a positive overall impact on his physical condition. If signs of a developing pathology are detected, parents should immediately show the child to a doctor.

Proper care of our feet!

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How to treat flat feet in children?

Looking at the legs of a newborn, you might think that he was born with flat feet, his foot seems so flat. But this is an imaginary flatfoot. The arch of the baby's foot contains a significant layer of subcutaneous fat, which visually makes the foot appear flat. As the child begins to stand on his feet and walk, muscles develop, the amount of subcutaneous fat decreases, and the foot takes on its proper appearance.

The human foot is very complex. It consists of many joints, bones and ligaments, which, connecting with each other, perform such important functions as walking, running, and keeping the body in balance. The complex system of connecting bones, ligaments and joints of the foot forms two arches, the so-called arches of the foot. Longitudinal arches run along the outer edges of the feet, transverse arches at the base of the toes. Healthy feet rest on arches. They are usually fully formed between 3 and 5 years.

Medicine divides childhood flatfoot into congenital and acquired. Congenital flatfoot is caused by malformations of the musculoskeletal system of the fetus during the prenatal period.

wearing low-quality shoes (too hard or soft; wearing rubber boots and shoes without heels for a long time);

Flat feet is one of the diseases that parents often ignore. Subsequently, it can cause significant health problems that require serious medical intervention, including surgery. Why is flat feet dangerous?

This disease is characterized by a violation of one of the most important functions of the foot - depreciation. Intense vibrations of the body during running and walking are not dampened by the foot, but are transmitted to the hip joints and spine. Changes in the skeletal system over time affect the condition of the body as a whole, and affect many systems and internal organs of a person. They often cause scoliosis, arthrosis, aching pain in the legs and fatigue.

For congenital flat feet, which is quite rare, special splints and plaster casts are used.

To prevent a doctor’s diagnosis from becoming a death sentence, it is necessary to engage in the prevention of this insidious disease from early childhood. Treatment of flat feet in children is a long and complex process, so it is better to take simple measures that will help avoid flat feet.

When bathing your child, finish the procedure by alternately pouring warm and cool water over the feet, then rub the feet vigorously with a hard towel.

If at home your child constantly walks on the floor or carpet in socks or barefoot, put shoes on him for at least 10-15 minutes per hour.

Encourage your child to play games in which he tries to use his feet - picking up small objects from the floor with his toes, grasping and lifting small soft toys, and the like.

Acquired flat feet is one of those diseases that always occurs due to the fault of parents who do not pay enough attention to their child. The consequences of the disease may lead to the need for surgical intervention in adulthood. Surgeries associated with this disease are very painful, but not always effective. It is in your power to prevent them.

How to cure flat feet at home

Flat feet is not such a harmless diagnosis that you don’t have to worry about. Normally, the human foot has two arches - longitudinal and transverse. Thanks to their coordinated work, a person is able to maintain balance, walk and move calmly. If the foot changes for any reason, flat feet appear, which can lead to serious consequences. If left untreated, you can get problems with the spine (even curvature), and joint diseases. People with flat feet cannot walk quickly and for a long time and get tired even after being on their feet for a short time. But how to recognize flat feet?

Symptoms of flat feet

Here are some signs to look out for.

After a long walk, a person gets tired, his legs swell, hurt, and a burning sensation is felt in the calf area. This state usually occurs in the evening.

Posture with flat feet changes - the spinal column becomes arched, the gait is unnatural (clubfooted).

Pain is felt not only in the legs, but also in the lower back, neck, hips, and back. This occurs due to improper distribution of body weight.

Ask the patient to squat. Most people with this diagnosis find it difficult to do this - they cannot maintain their balance.

Sometimes flat feet are accompanied by an ingrown toenail.

The feet should be painted and the patient should be asked to step on the paper. A healthy foot will have a thin contact zone in the center as the arch prevents the inside of the foot from sinking down onto the paper. The footprint of a person with flat feet will be wide.

In patients with flat feet, shoes wear out quickly, especially the heel on the inside.

Flat feet prevent a woman from walking in heels - she feels very uncomfortable, her legs hurt.

With flat feet, the foot begins to deform very early, and “bones” appear on the legs.

As soon as you notice similar symptoms in yourself or your child, you should definitely see an orthopedic doctor. In the early stages, flat feet can be cured. But where does it come from?

Reasons for the development of flat feet

Here are some factors that could cause the development of this disease.

1. Rickets is the most common cause of flat feet. When the body lacks vitamin D, bones become soft and pliable.
2. Flat feet can occur due to excess body weight. In this case, the arch of the foot simply cannot withstand the load and sag.
3. Wearing shoes that are narrow, uncomfortable or, conversely, too large in size leads to improper formation of the foot. Children should have shoes with arch support from the very beginning - as soon as they begin to walk independently.
4. Flat feet can occur in athletes and people with difficult professions who experience serious stress on their legs and spine.
5. Leg injuries can also lead to flat feet.
6. Flat feet often develop due to insufficient load on the legs during sedentary work. When muscles weaken, they cannot support body weight in the desired position.
7. Very often, flat feet develop in pregnant women. The fact is that hormones make bones more elastic (the body is preparing for childbirth), and rapidly increasing weight puts serious stress on the arch of the foot. Because of this, pregnant women may experience symptoms of flat feet, which usually disappear after childbirth. Because the arch of the foot sag, a pregnant woman may even notice that her foot size has increased.

Whatever the reasons for the development of foot pathology, flat feet need to be treated as soon as possible.

How to treat flat feet at home

Flat feet is one of the diseases that can be treated at home. Here is a list of measures you should take if you want to get rid of flat feet.

1. Shoes. First you need to purchase and wear orthopedic shoes. She keeps the arch of the foot in the right position, teaches the foot to stand correctly and not fall inward. For mild flat feet, orthopedic shoes can be replaced with special insoles with arch support.
2. Walks. In the summer, you should walk on uneven surfaces with bare feet as much as possible. A rough asphalt surface, sand, pebbles, lawn, etc. are suitable. During such walking, the active points of the foot are affected, it is formed correctly, and the muscles of the arch of the foot are trained. In winter, you can walk on scattered peas, buttons, pebbles and other small objects.
3. Massage. Massage, which should be done by a professional, is very effective against flat feet. An experienced massage therapist kneads the arch of the foot, makes stroking, patting, circular, tingling, rubbing and other movements. It is important to warm up the feet, give them the desired shape, and increase blood circulation. A massage course will bring you much closer to recovery. At home, you can use special massagers or massage mats.
4. Rolling. It is very useful to roll various objects with your feet. This could be a bottle, a rolling pin or a simple roller. Moreover, you should roll the object not only across, but also along. You can spread a small towel on the floor and collect it with your toes. This exercise trains the muscles of the arch of the foot.
5. Physical activity. To engage your feet and develop their muscles, you need to move as much as possible. It is very effective to go hiking, skiing, crawl swimming, ice skating and roller skating. These sports best develop the muscles of the feet.
6. Gait. It is very important to monitor your gait - this is the basis for correct foot placement. Shoulders should be straightened, back straight, legs should be parallel to each other. When walking, make sure your feet rest on the outer edge of your feet.
7. Baths. Before exercise and massage, you can take baths to soften the skin of your feet and relax your muscles. For every liter of warm water you need to add a tablespoon of sea salt. Keep your feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes.
8. Bike. Cycling is a very effective exercise against flat feet. Moreover, you need to ride without shoes. In this case, the load falls on the arch of the foot, giving it a natural, healthy bend.
9. Nutrition. To strengthen your bones, you need to eat more foods containing calcium. You can get the proper dose of vitamin D from medications or through the sun - walk more under ultraviolet rays. But remember that vitamin D is absorbed only in the first half of the day, so morning walks are much more beneficial.
10. Log. Walking on a medium-diameter log is very beneficial for flat feet, because this position of the foot brings it into its natural shape. It is best to walk sideways on a log.

In addition, you need to monitor your diet if you are overweight. After all, excess body weight only aggravates the course of the disease. Another effective way to get rid of flat feet is exercise.

Therapeutic exercises against flat feet

Gymnastics is the basis for the treatment of many orthopedic diseases. Here are the most popular and effective exercises for straightening the arch of the foot.

8. Stand straight with your feet on the outside of your feet. In this position, turn your body as far as possible to the right and left. Hands on the belt. You must try to keep your balance.
9. Walking on the outside and inside of your feet is very effective. If you combine this exercise with walking on uneven surfaces, it will be even more beneficial.
10. Stand up straight and begin to roll from toe to heel and back. Keep your hands on your belt.
11. Walk around the room first on your heels and then on your toes. Your hands should be raised up.
12. It is very useful to work with your toes; this exercise helps to train the muscles of the arch of the foot. Sit down and stretch your legs in front of you. Alternately curl and fan your toes. Each movement should be at the limit of your capabilities - do it as intensely as possible.
13. This exercise is also performed while sitting. You need to alternately rotate your feet in one direction or the other.
14. While sitting on a chair, pull your socks towards you as much as possible. Lock in this position for a few seconds.
15. Take a long rolling pin or gymnastics stick. With your bare feet, walk along the length of the selected object, placing your heel close to the toe of your other foot. Try not to leave the object - keep your balance.

Flat feet can be cured on your own, but this requires patience and regularity. If you do the exercises daily for at least a month, you can see very real results.

Flat feet is a disease that develops quickly and cannot be treated with any treatment. Flat feet can be completely cured only in children under five years of age. For older children and adults, you can only correct the arch of the foot and improve the situation a little. Do not let flat feet develop, because our mood and well-being depend on correct posture and gait.

Flat feet in children: treatment

Often mothers choose beautiful shoes for their baby, not paying attention to their soles and insoles. They don’t even suspect that they can provoke flat feet in this way. Let's figure out where a child gets flat feet and how to recognize it.

What to do if a child has flat feet?

First, take a closer look at your baby: how does he walk and how does he wear his shoes? Also pay attention to how it rests on the heel - with flat feet, the foot seems to fall over, the shoes also wear out mainly on the inside. If you suspect your child has such a diagnosis, hurry to see an orthopedic doctor. Children can have both transverse and longitudinal flat feet and treatment should be prescribed by a competent specialist.

Many people mistakenly believe that correcting and diagnosing flat feet in children is possible only after 5-6 years, and before this age there is no need to worry or fuss at all. This is an erroneous opinion - it is before the age of 5-6 that it is easiest and most effective to correct flat feet. The fact is that the foot during this period is not yet fully formed, that is, it consists partly of cartilage, and as long as these ossification points are not closed, all foot defects can be eliminated without any problems. Flat feet can occur for several reasons:

• often flat feet are inherited;
• carrying heavy objects;
• heavy weight of the child (obesity);
• wearing low-quality shoes;
• poorly developed muscles;
• Too intense dancing.

How to treat flat feet in children?

If you decide that your child has foot problems, remember: it is necessary to treat flat feet in children as early as possible, it is not just a bearish gait and unsightly worn-out sandals - flattening of the arch of the foot leads to improper distribution of the load on the entire musculoskeletal system, curvature of the spine and arthrosis. Flat feet in children leads to the need for treatment of the spine, correction of posture, and constant pain in the legs and joints. As a rule, curing flat feet in a child at an early age is not difficult. Depending on the degree of the disease, the doctor prescribes special shoes for children with flat feet: an orthopedic insole, a hard back and a good instep support (spring type). When flat feet are detected in children, special exercises and massage are used. Such therapeutic exercises help solve the problem well; in addition, exercises for flat feet will not cause difficulties for young children. Gymnastics consists of special walking (toe-heel and on the outer arch of the foot), various squats and exercises with a stick or hoop, grasping objects with the toes. By the way, in order to correct flat feet in a child, the doctor will prescribe both a foot massage and a massage of the calf muscle, because flat feet puts a strain on the entire musculoskeletal system, in fact, this is the greatest danger of this disease. In developed countries, visiting an orthopedist once every six months is as normal as going to the dentist. It is much easier to carry out prevention than treatment of flat feet in children. Here are some tips for moms:

• choose the right shoes for your child, especially for his first steps;
• walk barefoot on grass or sand more often;
• quench your baby with cool water;
• do not hesitate to set an example for the baby and do gymnastics or exercises with him in the morning;
• You can massage your feet using a small ball or stick.