Hello, dear readers! A growing child's body requires special care, and the baby's foot is no exception. Such a nuisance as flat feet occurs in many guys. It is important for parents to notice this deficiency in time and begin treatment. Today our topic will be flat feet in children: causes, prevention and methods of treating the disease.
Flat feet is a foot deformity in which the arch is lowered. In a healthy state, the foot has 2 arches:
The main task of the arches is shock absorption and maintaining balance while walking. If the ligaments and muscles are weak, the foot cannot perform its function. In this case, the load is taken on by the joints of the legs and spine.
But since they are not designed to perform shock absorption functions, the patient soon feels pain in the legs and scoliosis occurs. A person does not even suspect that the cause of discomfort lies precisely in flat feet.
Let's look at what types of disease there are. Depending on the nature of the deformation, types of flat feet are distinguished:
Depending on the causes of occurrence, flat feet are divided into congenital and acquired. The first type is determined immediately after the baby is born. The second means that the deformation appeared with age.
For parents, the biggest problem is to determine whether a child has flat feet. Out of ignorance, adults often start the problem, and only an experienced doctor himself sometimes points out this deficiency to them. In order to start treatment on time, you need to know how to determine whether the baby’s foot arch is damaged.
The easiest way is to place the baby's leg on a piece of paper and outline it. If the notch on the inside is insignificant or completely absent, you need to sound the alarm. In normal condition, the arch of the longitudinal arch should extend at a distance of at least two-thirds of the width of the foot, measured from the inner edge.
There are other signs of deformation:
At the initial stage, pain does not always occur. But if the baby gets tired much faster than his playmates and often asks to sit and rest during walks, you should pay attention to this fact and consult an orthopedist.
There are three degrees of flat feet depending on the severity of the disease:
This is more of a cosmetic defect that is hardly noticeable to the unprofessional eye. Flat feet are mild. The angle of the foot is 130-140 degrees. The height of the arch is about 2.5-3.5 cm.
Moderately severe disease. Changes are visible to the naked eye. When walking, clubfoot is visible, the gait is heavy. The angle of the foot is from 140 to 155 degrees. The height of the arch is 2.4-1.7 cm.
There is severe deformation. The functioning of the musculoskeletal system is impaired, scoliosis and osteochondrosis develop. At this stage, the child may feel severe pain, which prevents him from playing sports. The angle of the foot is more than 155 degrees, the height of the arch is less than 1.7 cm.
It is difficult to measure the angle of the foot at home, so it is worth contacting a specialist. He will make a diagnosis and determine the degree of flat feet.
Congenital flat feet are rare. It is diagnosed after birth and treatment begins immediately. The cause of improper formation of the foot is intrauterine malformations of tissues.
However, in most cases, flat feet are still an acquired disease. The main factor that provokes its development is congenital weakness of the muscular and ligamentous apparatus or incorrect position of the talus in the ankle joint. These characteristics of the body are inherited.
In childhood, other factors can aggravate the situation:
Depending on the diseases that caused flat feet, there are several types of the disease:
Eliminating the cause does not always mean the foot will automatically return to its normal state. The patient requires special treatment and further prevention.
The best way to prevent flat feet is to strengthen the muscles and ligaments. This can be done through sports or special exercises.
Most common sports (swimming, figure skating, hockey, dancing) are contraindicated for flat feet. The best way to strengthen the muscles of the back and hips remains horse riding.
A good choice is martial arts, where there are no jumps, but a lot of exercises for stretching muscles and tendons.
Freestyle swimming or skiing is permitted. Running may be a good solution, but if the child experiences pain during exercise, it is better to avoid athletics.
You should completely avoid lifting weights, since weights put a lot of pressure on the sole, joints and spine. Dancing, especially ballet for girls, can cause injury because it involves jumping without cushioning.
However, any sport can be harmful if done excessively. Increased physical activity aggravates the course of the disease. Knowing what sports a child with flat feet can engage in, parents can always choose the optimal physical activity for him.
Simple exercises to prevent deformation can be done at home:
For preschool children, massage is a good help in treatment. It is better if it is carried out by a medical professional with special education. Massage of any part of the body is carried out in three stages:
You need to start the massage from the lumbar region and buttocks, moving to the lower legs, and then to the foot.
However, the main “tool” in preventing flat feet still remains special orthopedic shoes. It differs from the usual one by a protrusion that supports the arch of the foot, a high and firm heel.
If you cannot buy or order shoes, you can purchase orthopedic insoles. They can be inserted into any regular shoes: boots, sneakers, boots, etc.
The maximum result in the prevention and treatment of flat feet is achieved by all methods used in combination.
If traditional methods of prevention do not help, you have to seek medical help.
Treatment using the Bubnovsky method gives good results without the use of orthopedics.
At the medical center, patients are offered special exercises that not only heal, but also have an analgesic effect. Before starting the course, the patient undergoes a complete diagnosis of the musculoskeletal system. In addition to exercises, the Bubnovsky method includes classes on proprietary simulators and cryoprocedures.
In severe cases, correction of the deformity is performed surgically. There are several types of operations:
However, in the case of young children, surgery is rarely used. While children are growing, it is possible to correct the situation at home using preventative methods.
If you found this article helpful, please tell your friends about it or leave a comment. The information is provided for informational purposes only. See you again, friends!
Hello, dear friends! Many of you love sweets, especially oriental ones. After all, they are distinguished by special tenderness and sophistication. What about Turkish delight? These unusual sweets, invented back in the 18th century in Istanbul, have found their way into all countries of the world and are popular even now. Let's consider what
Greetings, dear readers, to my blog! Summer is ahead - time for preparations, an abundance of fruits and berries. How not to stock up on delicious jam for the winter? And if it’s cherry jam, it will be twice as tasty. Let's look at popular recipes for this unforgettable dish: first we prepare the jam, and then with it
Hello, dear readers of my blog. Maybe you have also encountered this: as soon as you have a cold, sneeze or have a cough, they tell you: “Then take an antibiotic and everything will go away.” When I hear this, I am ready to argue and prove for a long time that they are not a panacea for all diseases. In this article I x
Gout is a rather unpleasant disease, most often found mainly in men. This pathology is detected much more often in representatives of the stronger sex than in women. A fairly large number of reasons can provoke the development of gout, for example, hyperlipidemia or hypertension. In addition, it is also worth noting the excessive consumption of red meat, tea, cocoa, and coffee.
However, the main factor that provokes the development of gout is the accumulation of uric acid inside our body with a simultaneous slowdown in the process of its elimination through the kidneys. The clinical manifestations of the disease are very similar to acute arthritis. Gout is characterized by the formation of painful nodes - tophi. In medicine, there are 3 phases of development of this disease:
Based on this, a treatment strategy for the pathology is selected. However, there are some general points here. In particular, the main goal of therapy for gout is to relieve attacks of acute pain as quickly as possible. In addition, it is necessary to prevent relapses of the disease. And finally, you need to prevent gout from becoming chronic.
Timely consultation with a doctor is an almost 100% guarantee of successful treatment. However, there is one more, very important point here. In order to increase the effectiveness of therapy, certain changes are made to the patient’s diet. Such patients are prescribed a special low-purine diet. Let's take a closer look at what you can and cannot eat with this disease.
Excessive consumption of foods that contain purine bases can provoke the development of gout. A little explanation needs to be given here. Purines are compounds that are present both in the human body and in a number of foods. When they are destroyed, uric acid is formed, an excess of which, in turn, leads to the development of gout. That is, there is a clear relationship here.
Accordingly, the diet for gout and high lactic acid should not contain foods high in purine bases. You will have to abandon them completely or reduce consumption to a minimum. In particular, people with gout should not eat foods such as fatty fish and meat. You should also avoid semi-finished products, internal organs of animals, veal, and broths (with the exception of vegetable broths). Salted and canned fish, caviar, smoked meats, hot peppers, mustard, horseradish, cauliflower, peas, green beans, mushrooms, fresh spinach, and sorrel are prohibited.
Sweets are allowed, but not all. In particular, if you have gout, you will need to give up baked goods with a cream filling. Among dairy products, salted cheese was included in the black list. Naturally, you will need to completely eliminate alcohol consumption - there are no exceptions here. If you have gout, you should not eat chocolate, raisins, raspberries, or figs. There are also prohibitions in terms of drinks. For example, you will need to give up coffee, yeast drinks, cocoa, and reduce tea consumption to a minimum. Everything spicy, salty, smoked is prohibited. It is advisable to avoid sausage.
Now let's look at the allowed products. For example, for gout, bread (both rye and wheat) is not prohibited - it can be eaten without any restrictions. For such patients, boiled meat (turkey, rabbit, chicken, beef), vegetarian cabbage soup, soups, and borscht are recommended. Eggs are allowed, but on condition that their quantity is limited - no more than 1 per egg, regardless of the cooking method. Seafood is allowed, including lobster and shrimp, butter, and vegetable fats. However, the latter is also recommended to be consumed in limited quantities - for example, exclusively for seasoning porridges.
If we talk about greens and vegetables, then almost everything is allowed here - naturally, with the exception of those that are on the black list. It is also recommended to minimize the presence of radishes, celery and parsley in the diet. At the same time, it is recommended to increase the consumption of cucumbers whenever possible, since they help eliminate uric acid salts from the body.
Almost all cereals can be eaten, with the exception of legumes. Buckwheat and oatmeal are very useful for gout. Eating pasta is also allowed - it is best, of course, to choose those made from durum wheat. Some spices may also be included in the diet, such as cinnamon, vanilla, bay leaf. The taste of dishes can be improved with vinegar and lemon juice. It’s a good idea to pamper yourself with marmalade, honey, nuts, and jam. The most useful drinks for this disease are vegetable and fruit juices (apple, carrot, cucumber). You can also have jelly, fruit drinks, mineral water, chicory coffee.
With such a disease, milk is allowed, but only sour or low-fat. Fermented milk products are also acceptable - unsalted cheese, sour cream, cottage cheese. People suffering from gout are recommended to eat sweet peppers, pumpkin, zucchini, carrots, beets, potatoes, white cabbage, and eggplants. Not all people with this diagnosis are allowed to eat tomatoes; in this case, the doctor must make the decision on an individual basis. You can use sauces, but only those that were prepared with vegetable broth.
As you can see, the list of permitted products is quite wide, and if desired, you can prepare many different dishes from them. If we talk about the diet as a whole, then here we need to highlight several basic principles. In particular, nutrition must be complete and varied. Boiled meat is allowed to be consumed no more than 3 times a week. The nutrition itself should be fractional - 5-6 meals per day, in small portions. Also, if you have gout, you should drink at least 5 glasses of water daily. Fasting is strictly not recommended, since by doing so you will only provoke an increase in the level of uric acid in the body.
Getting rid of varicose veins and making blood vessels completely healthy has now become available to everyone. To do this, you need to take 1 spoon for 7 days in a row. Read more >>
Flat feet are a fairly common problem. It affects up to 50 percent of the world's population; flat feet are most common in women. With this disease, the foot ceases to perform its shock-absorbing functions and shifts the load to the spine and joints.
Flat feet can be longitudinal, transverse or mixed. In the first case, the toes are arranged in a fan-shape, the foot becomes wider, and a bump appears at the base of the big toe. The thumb deviates to the side. In the second, the arch of the foot drops and the entire foot comes into contact with the surface on which it stands. At the same time, the length of the foot increases. The third type combines the characteristics of the first two.
There are the following types of flat feet:
If treatment for this disease is not started in time, over time it can lead to serious problems in the human body.
What complications can arise from flat feet:
Orthopedists or traumatologists can diagnose flat feet using x-rays or measuring the external parameters of the foot. At home, you can also determine the presence of flat feet using a foot print (for example, by applying a greasy cream to it). By stepping on a piece of paper, the imprint left by it is examined. A healthy leg on the inside should leave an imprint with an indentation the size of half a foot or a little larger. If necessary, an MRI is prescribed. This study helps determine the condition of the soft tissues.
The severity of the disease varies according to the angle of deviation of the thumb. The larger the angle, the more advanced the disease. There are three stages of development of transverse flatfoot:
I Art. A person is bothered by pain in the toes, and there is increased fatigue in the legs. The thumb deviates 20 degrees.
II Art. During physical activity, pain spreads to the entire foot. The thumb deviates up to 40 degrees.
III Art. There are noticeable changes in the shape of the foot. The angle between the thumb and index finger becomes more than 40 degrees. A lump forms at the base of the finger. Pain in the foot does not stop even in a stationary position.
If you have flat feet, you should not skate, jump, or do weightlifting. Swimming, horse riding in small doses, skiing, and martial arts are useful.
It is very important to engage in preventive measures for children. Treatment of flat feet at a very early age (up to about eight years) gives excellent results and allows you to completely cope with the problem.
How to properly treat transverse flatfoot should be prescribed individually by a doctor.
Depending on the severity of the disease, conservative and surgical treatment .
Treatment of transverse flatfoot with conservative methods is carried out with medication with the addition of physical therapy and massage. In addition, special orthopedic shoes and insoles are prescribed. The use of all of the above methods for treating flat feet allows you to relieve pain and stop the development of the disease. By agreement with your doctor, most procedures can be performed at home.
Nurafen and Analgin are prescribed as painkillers. Troxevasin is used to strengthen blood vessels and relieve edema. Heparin ointment thins the blood. To relieve inflammation, NSAIDs are used, such as Indomethacin, Ketorolac, Diclofenac.
Electrophoresis and magnetic therapy are used to improve blood circulation and relax muscles. Shock wave therapy will help soften the ligaments.
To fix the thumb in the correct position, a special roller is placed between it and the index finger. In particular, special articulated splints have now appeared that allow you to unload the foot, straighten the toe and return the foot to its natural shape. They have virtually no contraindications and are suitable for any feet thanks to the adjustments.
To simulate the correct arch of the foot, special orthopedic insoles are used to reduce the load on the spine. Such insoles have the necessary thickening in problem areas.
Orthopedic devices should be worn at all times.
Traditional medicine methods include: the use of physical exercise, massage, and alternative medicine recipes.
Exercise therapy helps strengthen the muscles of the foot, improve blood circulation, and relieve pain. You should exercise daily, for at least a quarter of an hour. You can do the following exercises at home:
For massage, special mats are often used that have an uneven surface resembling stones and tubercles. They can be made of various materials and have a variety of relief. Accounting accounts can be used as a primitive replacement. You should walk on mats every day for at least 10 minutes. It is also useful to have such a mat at home to prevent the onset of the disease.
Manual massage is also helpful. Rubbing and kneading the foot improves blood circulation and strengthens muscles.
Traditional medicine recipes for the prevention and treatment of flat feet:
At an advanced stage of the disease, and if conservative methods do not bring tangible results, surgery is prescribed . During surgery, the deviation of the thumb is eliminated and the transverse arch is corrected. The operation allows you to get rid of transverse flatfoot forever.
To prevent the disease, especially if you are at risk, it is necessary to perform prevention. Special attention needs to be paid to children. You need to walk barefoot more, go swimming, wear comfortable shoes (flat soles and high heels should be abandoned), and try to take breaks when constantly sedentary. The diet should be balanced. It is important to take vitamin complexes, paying special attention to vitamin D. Children should not be placed on their feet before the age of 8 months. should be prevented .
It is very important not to waste time and see a doctor in time if signs of the disease appear. Only a doctor can decide how to treat transverse flatfoot in your particular case. Under no circumstances should flat feet be treated as a harmless problem. This is a serious disease that can lead to serious consequences.
How to identify and prevent flat feet in children?
Flatfoot is a foot deformity characterized by thickening of the arch of the foot or its complete disappearance. Flat feet are quite common in children; every fifth child has flat feet.
In infants, a flat foot is not a pathology, since the compaction of the arches of the feet in babies is associated with the presence of a fatty pad lining the arch. Therefore, children may be diagnosed with flat feet closer to the age of three.
There are several forms of flatfoot: static, traumatic, rachitic, paralytic. The last three are quite rare, mainly static flat feet, which cause concern among parents.
The main cause of static flat feet is underdeveloped muscles that support the foot and overload of the foot. With prolonged use, the muscles weaken, the ligaments stretch, and the foot begins to sag.
Children develop tired legs, often fall and do not want to take part in outdoor games. After some time, pain appears in the lower leg muscles, especially in the evening before bed.
Signs of flat feet: elongated foot, slightly widened in the middle, the heel “looks” outward. The child has an awkward gait and his socks are pointed in different directions.
Parents can independently diagnose the presence of this pathology. To do this, it is necessary for the child to leave an imprint on the paper with a wet or painted foot. If the load falls on the middle part of the foot, then this indicates flat feet.
Treatment for flat feet takes a lot of time and money, so it is best to rule out the possibility of this disease. For this it is necessary to carry out prevention.
First of all, it is necessary to undergo an annual medical examination by an orthopedist. Buy your child good quality shoes. In order for your baby to feel comfortable while walking, it is necessary to inspect the inside of the shoes to identify thick seams. In properly selected shoes, the baby will not feel discomfort, and when the shoes are removed, there should be no marks left on the baby’s feet.
Walking barefoot is an excellent prevention of flat feet , which relieves tension and heaviness from the feet. But walking barefoot is recommended only on uneven surfaces, such as sand, stones or a special orthopedic mat. At home, you can pour stones into a basin and ask the child to walk on them in a playful way.
Also, as a preventive measure, you can massage your legs, because the feet have a large number of nerve endings that are responsible for the condition of all internal organs.
A round stick effectively helps prevent disease. It needs to be rolled with your feet. In addition, the baby can perform a set of general strengthening and developmental exercises on the wall bars that will help prevent flat feet.
Special orthopedic insoles are perfect for preventing flat feet.
The orthopedist will recommend giving the child a foot massage and therapeutic exercises (squats on toes, tiptoeing) every evening. The doctor must write out a referral for the manufacture of orthopedic insoles.