If a young man has grade 2 flat feet, will he be accepted into the army with this diagnosis? Some conscripts and their parents consider flat feet a sufficient reason not to join the armed forces. But during the examination, doctors render a different verdict: he is fit for military service. Why do the opinions of the parties not coincide? Yes, there is reason to suspect flat feet in cases where a recruit’s legs hurt after a long walk, and massage does not bring relief. But the final diagnosis must be made by a professional specialist.
The army is a real school of life for guys. However, can a young man cope with increased physical activity if he is diagnosed with level 2 flat feet? Is a deferment from the army required in this case? Doctors also ask themselves these questions when drawing conclusions about suitability for combat service. Because if an accident occurs in a military unit due to the negligence of a doctor, then he will have to answer. But commanders are not very happy when lame and sick people are sent to their service.
Flat feet is a deformity of the foot with an arch. The disease in many cases is acquired and not hereditary. It can develop for many reasons:
Symptoms of flat feet include the following:
Professional orthopedists distinguish the following types of foot deformities:
There are the following degrees of flat feet:
Only a doctor in a medical institution can determine the degree of flatfoot. At home, the diagnostic method of plantography will help you find out if you have a problem with your feet. Apply paint to the sole and stand on a white sheet. If there is a faint imprint on the inside of the foot, you should make an appointment with a doctor. A professional specialist will send you for an x-ray and measure the angle of deviation.
Combined flatfoot is diagnosed when the disease has signs of both longitudinal and transverse flatfoot.
Parents of young people of military age are interested in whether they will be accepted into the army if they have 2nd degree flat feet. Flat feet of the 3rd or 4th degree causes severe pain, and standard shoes are not suitable for patients with this disease. It will be difficult for such a young man to perform physical activity.
If, during a medical examination, a conscript is diagnosed with flat feet of the 1st and 2nd degrees, he will be called up for service. Severe pain syndrome is observed with longitudinal flatfoot of 3rd degree and transverse flatfoot of 3rd or 4th degree. In this case, the disease is accompanied by other serious problems:
A man or youth with grade 3-4 flat feet is given a military ID. He is included in the reserve, where the entry “limited use” is placed. With flat feet of 2nd degree, fitness category B-3 is issued. This is mainly a non-combatant service. A man in the army can serve as a builder, a janitor or a cook. Flat feet are confirmed by x-ray. To determine the extent of the disease, the Friedland podometric method is used. According to it, the height of the foot should be multiplied by 100 and divided by the length of the foot. A result between 29 and 31 is considered the norm.
An X-ray of the foot will show pathological changes. For longitudinal flat feet:
1st degree - the arch angle is 131 - 140 degrees, the height of the arch is 25 - 35 mm. There is no deformation of the foot bones.
2nd degree - the arch angle is 141 - 155 degrees, the height of the arch is 24 -17 mm. The following changes can be seen on the x-ray: the talus bone becomes shorter, the neck is not pronounced. On the dorsum of the foot, in the place where the ligamentous apparatus is located, there are changes characteristic of deforming arthrosis. Pathologies can also occur in the area of the talonavicular joint.
Grade 3 - The arch angle is 156 degrees or more, and the arch height is below 17 cm. The protrusion on the surface of the heel bone increases greatly. The transverse arch becomes flat. The heel deviates.
With transverse flatfoot, which we know by the growth of “bones” on the big toes, the following changes are observed:
Flat feet are not a minor ailment. This serious disease makes life difficult for a person. He cannot walk long distances. He needs to choose his shoes carefully. Many people wear uncomfortable shoes with thick soles without thinking about reducing the stress on their muscles. This leads to them atrophying. The ligaments begin to work poorly.
Increased loads are no less harmful to the legs. Military service is impossible for conscripts with grade 3 or 4 flat feet: they are unable to cope with the heavy load on their feet. To reduce health problems, it is necessary to treat the disease.
It will help to cope with the disease by contacting a specialist and taking an integrated approach.
Timely treatment will stop the progression of the disease. It is important to massage and take baths. The patient is recommended to do simple gymnastics exercises every day to develop the toes.
A special complex includes flexion of the feet and extension of them. Treatment for flat feet should be prescribed by a specialist. Your doctor may recommend using a special foot trainer. To make walking more comfortable, an orthopedic insole or special shoes are selected.
If you take your health seriously, you will quickly improve. The pain will subside and the patient will not experience any discomfort. The following are used as effective preventive measures:
It is recommended to constantly take vitamins to strengthen your immune system. When the body's natural defense system works without interruption, then a person is less susceptible to various diseases. In summer, walk barefoot on river sand or pebbles. Walking on uneven surfaces is an excellent preventive exercise that is beneficial for the body. A person with a strong immune system has a lower risk of developing flat feet. One of the causes of the disease is serious illnesses suffered in childhood: polio and diabetes.
Watch your legs and don't overload them! Consult your doctor about the optimal load. Follow the advice of experts and be healthy!
Flat feet is a disease of the musculoskeletal system, in which pathological processes occur that lead to flattening of the arch of one or both legs. The disease is characterized by disturbances in the mechanics of walking, which can lead to the development of complications in other joints, including the knees, hips and the spine itself.
In the 1st stage of the disease, the symptoms are minimal, but as soon as the 2nd stage begins, the clinical picture appears in all its glory: with symptoms of pain, difficulty moving and other signs. Also dangerous are flat feet of the 2nd degree with arthrosis, when the soft tissues of the foot and the connective cartilaginous tissues of the joint are involved in the process.
Both children and adults suffer from flat feet, and women suffer almost four times more often. There are congenital forms that progress over time, among which grade 2 valgus feet are often found (X is the shaped position of the child’s feet), and acquired forms that appear under the influence of various factors. For young men with flat feet, an interesting question is: are they recruited into the army or not with such a diagnosis? We will examine this topic in more detail.
It is worth mentioning that the diagnosis of “flat feet” is on the list of diseases for which military service in peacetime is contraindicated. But this applies to the last stage of the disease, when the question of whether they are taken into the army can be answered with certainty that they are not. Those with 2nd degree flat feet are allowed to serve in certain troops without complications. Of course, you won’t be able to serve in the paratroopers or the marines, but you can spend a period of military service while in the ground forces.
But here, too, doctors’ opinions may differ. The fact is that often with second degree flat feet complications arise, such as arthrosis, osteoarthrosis and even osteochondrosis in the spine. Therefore, before sending a young man to serve, he will undergo more than one medical examination.
This is due to the fact that in grades 2 and 3 there is a clear narrowing of the joint gaps, which is characterized by bone growths and inflammatory processes in the cartilage tissue. The foot, as you know, acts as a shock absorber, softening movements and not transmitting vibration to other joints and the spine.
But with flat feet, especially if a bilateral process is observed, the shock absorption function decreases and the load on other groups of joints increases. Consequently, they can become inflamed, deformed, and the patient may be at risk of arthrosis.
By the way, it is not uncommon for a young man with a second degree to be called up for service, but the disease progresses due to stress.
Then the corresponding question arises: will the soldier be commissioned? After an additional examination, the young man may indeed be discharged; for this purpose, an X-ray examination is prescribed.
Now let's talk about situations when they are not drafted into the army. In total, there are two types of the disease - longitudinal and transverse flatfoot, but in a child with congenital anomalies or in an advanced state, a combined form can be identified. So, if an examination reveals grade 2 flat feet with arthrosis, osteoarthritis, then the young man is not called up for service, since the diagnosis is a contraindication to sports and military service.
In the 2nd degree, irreversible processes occur in the structure of an adult’s foot, in which deformation of the foot is noticeable, pronounced clinical manifestations are noted, and gait changes. For example, a bilateral process greatly reduces performance and disrupts gait, which affects a person’s lifestyle.
If you ask the question whether it is possible to cure flat feet at this stage, then the answer is not clear.
In the second degree, it will be difficult to cure flat feet in children and only possible to stop the progression of the disease in an adult or teenager. This difference is associated with the flexibility of the bones of the child’s body and increased rehabilitation capabilities. In adults, surgery is often the only treatment that helps. In children, valgus flatfoot of both feet is the most difficult to treat, but if you follow the doctor’s prescriptions, this will be possible.
Despite the three variants of the course of the disease, when either the transverse or longitudinal vault is affected or combined damage to the vaults occurs, the symptoms in the 2nd degree become similar. Differences may be observed upon external examination.
With the longitudinal form of the pathology of the 2nd degree, the arches of the feet become flat, causing the sole of the foot to completely come into contact with the floor covering. There is an increase in length. But with transverse flatfoot, the length of the foot decreases, but the sole seems to spread out and become wide. The appearance of the fingers changes, becoming hammer-shaped, while the thumb deviates to the side. In the second stage of the disease, deformation of both arches of the foot is often observed, resulting in a valgus form.
Among the complaints, pain in the legs stands out. If in the first degree pain occurs after exercise, then in the second degree the legs may hurt even at rest. In this case, pain is noted in the arches of the feet, spreads to the ankles and goes to the heel. The attack of pain intensifies when taking steps. The changed structure of the foot complicates the process of choosing shoes, and familiar shoes bring a feeling of discomfort when worn.
To alleviate the condition, a person has to give up sports and work that puts stress on the legs. In addition to the foot, as the pain progresses, it spreads upward, reaching the ankle, calf muscles, and knee.
Due to the increased load, the leg muscles begin to suffer, also manifesting as soreness and fatigue. If you put stress on your legs with 2nd degree flat feet, this may result in muscle cramps.
Outwardly, you can notice how a person’s gait changes; he begins to clubfoot. Swelling appears in the legs. Calluses and “corns” form on the sole, and a “bone” forms in the area of the big toe. Due to the lack of shock absorption function and increased load on the joints and spine, grade 2 flat feet with arthrosis often occur. Then not only the lower part of the legs hurts, but also the knees, hip joints and spine suffer.
Various methods are used to diagnose pathology. An accurate diagnosis can be made only after an x-ray is taken in a standing position. An inspection and collection of complaints are also carried out. To determine the degree, the angle of the arch of the foot is changed and the deviation index is determined.
Now let’s look at the question of how to cure grade 2 flat feet. It is worth noting that an important element of treatment is gymnastics. It is prescribed for all degrees and forms of pathology, and can be performed at home.
Exercises while sitting on a chair are effective:
Exercises No. 2-3 are performed 10-15 times. Walking around the room on the outside and inside of the foot is effective. To stimulate the muscles of the fingers, you can lift small objects with your fingers while sitting. It is also useful to place a pencil between your fingers and try to draw with your foot. A medical organization that treats flat feet must select a gymnastics complex that is optimal for the patient.
The therapeutic effect of gymnastics alone will be small, so you will need to undergo a course of massage and physiotherapy. To relieve pain and reduce inflammation, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed - Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Nimesulide. For severe joint pain, a blockade with hormones - corticosteroids - is necessary. For treatment, traditional medicine techniques are used - baths, compresses, rubbing. Baths with salt are useful, contrasting - with alternating cold and hot water.
In order to maintain healthy feet and prevent further progression of the disease, a child should immediately, if there is a threat of flat feet, start wearing orthopedic shoes. In grade 2, adults are prescribed to wear orthopedic insoles and shoes with special arch supports. In advanced conditions, surgery may be necessary.
When preventing flat feet, it is important to comply with the following requirements:
If there is a risk of developing flat feet or grade 1 is detected, then the goal of preventive measures is aimed at stopping the progression. You need to do gymnastics and undergo a massage course. If a patient complains of foot pain for the first time, he should not only be examined by a doctor, but also have an x-ray taken.
Flat feet often occur during pregnancy, so during this period you need to take care of yourself and not overwork your legs.
Human feet play an important role in physical activity; they soften steps and prevent negative effects on the musculoskeletal system when running and jumping from heights. But, like other parts of the musculoskeletal system, when exposed to certain factors, the feet are subject to pathological influence. The most common foot disease is flat feet. If the first and second degrees of pathology cause a feeling of discomfort and minor pain, then the third degree is dangerous not only by affecting the foot, but also other joints, and it is not uncommon for a person to be assigned a disability due to flat feet. Let's look at why 3rd degree flat feet affects the body as a whole.
It is also worth dwelling not only on the issue of painful symptoms in the foot area and difficulty moving with flat feet, but also on joint damage from arthrosis.
Over the years, the bone apparatus loses its strength and protective properties, therefore, with an increase in the load that occurs when the feet are affected, other joints also suffer. It is not uncommon for the knees, hips and spine to be affected. These factors cause grade 3 flatfoot with arthrosis.
The causes of the pathology are generally associated with increased load on the foot and ankle area. Factors such as wearing uncomfortable shoes or high-heeled shoes are common causes of pathology. The disease is also typical for people who spend a lot of time standing - these are salespeople, industrial workers, teachers and similar professions. Even when a person has a burning question about how to earn more money, he does not take care of himself. Athletes may be at risk of illness as they age if they have been injured or experienced overload. It is worth mentioning obesity and impaired metabolism, which lead to increased stress on the legs and feet as well.
In addition to the external reasons that a person creates for himself, there are also internal factors. With congenital or acquired weaknesses of muscles and ligaments, the threat of pathology increases, and injuries are also considered causes. Some infections and viruses can cause flat feet. A small percentage of all cases of disease are due to congenital pathologies, that is, the child is born with flat feet.
In general, it is much easier to cure this condition in children than in adults. Many teenagers and their parents are concerned about the problem: will they be accepted into the army with such a diagnosis?
Flat feet of the 3rd degree and the army are incompatible, which is stated in the regulatory documents on medical indications for service in the armed forces. Many people find this a plus, but it is worth mentioning that the advanced condition of flat feet is very difficult to cure. For adults, only surgery can radically help, but a child has a chance to correct the deformation process and stop the progression of the disease.
If in the first two degrees the foot still has shock-absorbing functions, then flat feet of the third degree deprives this opportunity. The consequences of this condition are sad: with each step there is no shock absorption, and the load goes to other joints. Nature has endowed the human foot with a powerful apparatus of ligaments, muscles, fascia, which are absent in the knees, pelvis and spine, therefore, the lack of softening worsens the condition of other joints, causing arthrosis, osteochondrosis and other pathologies.
It is worth dwelling on the classification of pathology, including the degree and forms of the disease. In total, there are three stages of the disease, although in some sources you can find the 4th, advanced stage. But we will focus on the most unpleasant - the third degree. The deformation process has already developed on the sole of the foot; the changes are clearly visible upon examination and are easily diagnosed.
With the 3rd degree, there is a flattening of the arches of the foot, of which there are two in total - transverse and longitudinal. Sometimes a combined pathology occurs when both arches are involved in the process. Consequently, the classification includes three types of pathology - transverse, longitudinal and combined flatfoot.
If we consider the degrees, then with the 1st there are no obvious clinical manifestations, the foot still has shock-absorbing properties, so symptoms of pain appear only in the lower part of the legs. In the second degree, the process of deformation begins actively; every step taken can already cause pain and discomfort. Shoes of the usual size no longer fit.
If you do not begin to actively treat the disease, then the disease enters the 3rd stage. Longitudinal flatfoot is characterized by an increased arch angle - it becomes more than 155 degrees, and its height is less than 17 millimeters. With a longitudinal form, the degree of angle between the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones becomes about 20. These indicators mean that the function of normal gait is disrupted, symptoms of constant pain predominate, and without treatment the person will face disability.
Before analyzing the symptoms of the pathology, you need to emphasize that you can get grade 3 flat feet on one leg or both at once, it all depends on the cause. Unilateral damage occurs with injuries, increased load on one foot - in drivers, for example.
The main symptom of the disease is pain, and in stage 3 not only the feet or ankles hurt, but also other joints. The knees and pelvic bones begin to suffer first. The pain also affects the muscles in the calves, lower back, and thighs. Each step is difficult, as the pain intensifies with exercise. Working capacity decreases, athletes have to give up training.
Due to foot deformation, there is a problem with choosing shoes. Externally, there is an expansion of the foot, a change in the shape of the toes, and the formation of calluses and “corns” occurs.
Although longitudinal flatfoot is less common, it causes severe deformation of the foot. Additionally, you can see swelling in the ankle area. There comes a time when the load on the spine increases, the back begins to hurt, and headaches appear. Outwardly, it is noticeable how the thumb is tilted to the side.
With transverse flatfoot, there is a decrease in the size of the feet, their divergence to the sides and the deviation of the first toe outward. Other fingers become hammer-shaped, and stage 3 is characterized by a protruding bone in the big toe. “Calls” are observed on the sole, constantly increasing in size. As a complication, bursitis may develop with flat feet, which worsens the course of the disease and increases the duration of treatment.
As you know, children also suffer, and since in childhood, due to the developed subcutaneous fat layer and flexible skeleton, it is not easy to immediately identify a pathology that is constantly progressing.
This is what can lead to a teenager getting stage 3 of the disease. Symptoms in children are similar to those that appear in adults:
In children, treatment rarely begins with surgery; doctors try to fight it conservatively, prescribing foot massage, exercise therapy and physiotherapy. This opportunity to cure flat feet in children exists due to the capabilities of the growing body and the rapid healing properties. Let's look at the problematic issue of how to treat advanced flat feet in children and adults and whether it is possible to do without a scalpel.
Treatment of grade 3 flat feet in most cases is not carried out conservatively, since irreversible deformation processes occur, the person experiences severe pain and not only in the legs. Longitudinal flatfoot has a greater chance of cure; with it, you can do without surgery, stopping the progression of the disease.
For this purpose, massage, physical therapy, and physiotherapy are prescribed. It is imperative to reduce the load on your legs, and if you are obese, go on a diet.
If there is no effect from such treatment, then an operation such as a tendon transplant or resection of part of the bones is prescribed. After the operation, you need to develop a technique for practicing exercise therapy, which will have to be done for a long time.
The main nuance of treating any form of flat feet is wearing orthopedic shoes or insoles. Moreover, even with a unilateral lesion, it is undesirable to wear one insole or orthopedic boot, since the load on the second leg increases. Symptoms of pain can be relieved by taking or injecting drugs from the NSAID group, and hormones (glucocorticoids) are prescribed.
With transverse flatfoot of the 3rd degree, the possibility that surgery will be performed is high. Unfortunately, the pathology cannot be cured in other ways. The possible effect of conservative treatment is minimal, since pain will not allow you to do exercise therapy, massage and other procedures. Osteopathy and reflexology techniques help with pain in the joint and spine.
After the operation, there is a chance (and more than one) to recover fully, the main thing is to follow the rules of rehabilitation, undergo a course of physical therapy, you need to monitor your weight and wear orthopedic shoes.
Not every parent with newborn sons thinks about the need to perform plantography and x-rays on the child in advance and identify the degrees of flat feet, arthrosis and scoliosis for military service. As it turns out, a boy needs to treat such a foot pathology from a very early age, since legislators in leading countries - Russia, Ukraine and Belarus - annually change and tighten the requirements for the health of conscripts. According to the requirements, those who were previously given an exemption from conscription and enrolled in the reserves are not exempt from conscription.
But in a small child, recognizing the presence of flat feet is not so easy. The younger the child, the more his foot prints will resemble 1-2 tbsp. flat feet. In preschool age, it is better to conduct an examination directly with an orthopedic doctor. He will be able to more accurately diagnose and prescribe treatment.
From the very first steps of a child, you need to pay attention to the signs of flat feet, as well as scoliosis:
Closer to conscription age, parents and teenagers themselves are concerned about the question of whether they will be recruited into the army with 3rd degree flat feet, complete with arthrosis, and 2nd degree scoliosis. In their legislative documents as of January 1, 2014, the leading countries: Russia, Ukraine and Belarus were unanimous on issues relating to 1-3 degrees of flat feet and the conscription of boys into the army. The article on foot deformities states that only 3-4 tbsp. flat feet are unavoidable. Category B-3 is replenished with diseases of the 2nd degree: deforming arthrosis and flat feet.
For guys with flat feet and varying degrees of complexity of the disease, putting a lot of stress on their legs, walking and running a lot is contraindicated. However, neither legislators nor the army take these contraindications into account. Therefore, the ranks of the army are replenished with stooped conscripts with 2nd degree scoliosis without dysfunction, which requires treatment in adolescence, dystrophy and encephalopathy, and not only with 1st and 2nd degree flat feet and arthrosis.
When conscripts undergo a medical examination, doctors at military registration and enlistment offices do not detect diseases, and guys with scoliosis, arthrosis and flat feet are not sent to clinics for examination in order to have grounds to release them and not conscript them into the army. The medical commission only conducts an examination, but does not make a diagnosis. Before coming to the military registration and enlistment office, conscripts must be examined by doctors for a year and have with them all the necessary certificates and a package of documents, which will provide the basis for the military registration and enlistment office to conduct a more thorough examination of diseases: arthrosis, flat feet and scoliosis.
The army classifies the disease into 4 degrees, according to which it assigns conscripts to groups.
Group “A” includes flat feet with the presence of serious functional impairments. The conscript is included in category “D” and due to his unfitness for service, he will not be drafted into the army.
The diagnosis includes such foot deformities as complete, cauda equina, calcaneal and varus, equinovarus and plano-valgus due to trauma or diseases that prevent the use of military shoes for wearing.
Group “B” includes conscripts from the 3rd-4th grade. transverse or 3rd art. longitudinal flatfoot with moderate functional impairment: exostoses (spike-like benign bone and cartilaginous formations on the surface of the bone), severe pain, arthrosis in the center of the foot and contractures of the fingers. The diagnosis includes the above-described degrees of flat feet.
Such conscripts are classified as category “B” and sent to the reserve with a military ID, as being of limited fitness (unfit in peacetime). During hostilities, they are drafted into the army.
Group “B” also includes guys with flat feet if there is a slight functional impairment of the legs (ankles). Namely: there are no symptoms of arthrosis (deformation of the bone joints of the center of the foot) and valgus position of the heel bone with longitudinal flatfoot of 2-3 degrees. In addition to grade 2 flat feet, the diagnosis includes grade 2. arthrosis and scoliosis. Such conscripts are also classified as category “B” and are not accepted into the army in peacetime.
Group “G” includes conscripts with transverse or longitudinal flat feet of the 2nd degree, which is objectively confirmed visually and by photograph. They will be in the “B-3” category; they will be drafted into the army, but not into all branches of the military. The diagnosis includes osteoarthritis, arthrosis, deforming arthrosis of the 1st stage. without exostosis and contracture of the fingers at 1-2 tbsp. flat feet.
To confirm all degrees of the disease, along with concomitant pathologies, the conscript is sent for an x-ray and a photograph of the feet on both legs (standing) is taken in a side and straight view. Next, the radiograph is studied and the pathology of the foot is classified, assigned to a certain degree of deformity and group. Only an orthopedic surgeon can determine the degree of pathology. The military commissar must determine, in accordance with the doctor's diagnosis, the level of suitability of the conscript for the army.
Longitudinal flatfoot includes:
The army takes guys with 1-2 degrees of flat feet, but in peacetime they don’t take guys with 3 degrees.
Transverse flatfoot includes:
With arthrosis of the center of the foot, the tissues of the cartilages that connect the joints become inflamed and destroyed, this leads to pain, contractures of the fingers, exostoses against the background of longitudinal or transverse flatfoot of the 3rd degree. Therefore, conscripts are not taken into the army.
As for the second degree of scoliosis, with the absence of functional impairments, conscripts have been accepted into the army since 2013, which is permitted by the Regulations on Military Medical Examination, approved by the regulations of the Russian government. What the spring conscription will be like in 2015 worries parents and their sons. Many parents are against their sons being drafted into the army. Also, the conscript male generation is looking for different ways to evade service. Those who enroll in studies, which they do not leave for years, those who are ready to pay off. But the good news is that there are still those who want to fulfill their civic duty.
In medical practice, there are different requirements for diagnosing foot disease. When undergoing a military medical examination, to confirm the diagnosis of flat feet and the degree of deformation, X-rays of both feet are taken in frontal and lateral projections, performed under load (standing). Studying x-rays taken in two projections allows us to classify flat feet according to the type and degree of foot deformation.
Longitudinal flatfoot is a deformity in which the foot touches the floor with most of the sole, and the length of the foot increases (dropped arch).
with longitudinal flat feet of the 3rd degree of any foot are not accepted into the army.
The degree of longitudinal flatfoot is determined by a profile radiograph in a standing position under load.
Normally, the arch angle is 125-130 degrees, the height of the arch is 39 mm.
Article 68 of the Schedule of Diseases
angle of the longitudinal internal arch: from 131° to 140°
vault height: from 35 mm. up to 25 mm.
angle of the longitudinal internal arch: from 141° to 155°
vault height: from 24 mm. up to 17 mm.
angle of the longitudinal internal arch: from 155°
vault height: less than 17 mm.
Transverse flatfoot is a deformity of the foot in which there is a flattening of the transverse arch, the support of the anterior section falls on the heads of all five metatarsal bones, the metatarsal bones diverge, and the length of the feet decreases; there is also a deformation of the 1st toe in the form of an outward deviation, while the middle toe deformed in a hammer shape.
Those with transverse flat feet of degree 3 or higher are not accepted into the army.
The degree of transverse flatfoot is determined by a radiograph of the fore and middle sections of the foot in a direct projection, performed under load (standing).
angle between 1-2 metatarsal bones: from 10° to 12°,
First finger deflection angle: from 15° to 20°;
angle between 1-2 metatarsal bones: from 12° to 15°,
first finger deflection angle: from 20 to 30
angle between 1-2 metatarsal bones: from 15° to 20°,
First finger deflection angle: from 30° to 40°;
angle between 1-2 metatarsal bones: from 20°,
angle of deviation of the first finger: from 40°;
Arthrosis of the foot joints is a disease in which inflammatory processes of soft tissues and destruction of cartilage (connective) tissues in the joints are observed.
Those with grade 3 transverse or longitudinal flatfoot and severe pain syndrome, exostoses, contracture of the toes and the presence of arthrosis in the joints of the midfoot are not accepted into
The stage of arthrosis is determined by x-rays of the foot; the narrowing of the joint space and marginal bone growths from the edge of the joint space are measured.
Less than 50 percent narrowing of the joint space
Marginal bone growths not exceeding 1 mm from the edge of the joint space
Narrowing of the joint space by more than 50 percent Marginal bone growths exceeding 1 mm from the edge of the joint space Deformation and subchondral osteosclerosis of the articular ends of the articulating bones
The joint space is not visible on the x-ray. Pronounced marginal bone growths. Gross deformation and subchondral osteosclerosis of the articular ends of the articulating bones.
At a certain age, the question often arises: how compatible are flat feet of the 1st, 2nd or 3rd degree and the army? Moreover, this is a fairly common disease; flat feet of varying degrees of complexity are very common. Typically, running and putting stress on the foot are contraindicated for such a disease, and the army ignores these contraindications. As a result, the disease can seriously progress over 2 years. Let's figure out what legislators in countries such as Russia, Ukraine and Belarus think about this.
To go or not to go, that is the question...
Since the largest country under consideration is Russia, we’ll start with it. In this case, the conscript should read the latest edition of Regulation No. 123 dated February 25, 2003, namely, “schedule of illnesses. People with flat feet will be especially interested in article No. 68 in the section on musculoskeletal diseases. After carefully studying this document, you will figure out for yourself whether you are in danger of joining the army or not.
A similar document in Ukraine is Article 62 of the section “Diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissues, their consequences,” which is included in the “Regulation of diseases, conditions and physical disabilities that determine the degree of suitability for military service.” This document was approved by order of the Minister of Defense of Ukraine No. 402 dated August 14, 2008. Here you will find information on how this disease is interpreted when conscripted into the Ukrainian army.
Belarusians are recommended to read article No. 68 “Instructions on determining the requirements for the health status of citizens when registering for conscription, conscription for compulsory military service, service in the reserve, military service of reserve officers...”. The title of the document is very long, so we present only the first part of it. This instruction was approved by Resolution of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health No. 51/170 of December 20, 2010.
It is worth noting that in this case, legislators of all three countries showed rare unanimity; the issue of flat feet of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd degree and military service was considered absolutely equally everywhere, and if you read the documents carefully, you get the impression that they written by the same person, only in different languages. In general, we can say that the armies of Belarus, Ukraine and Russia perceive flat feet almost equally. How exactly - let's look further.
Since we have already understood the similarity of the documents, we will consider the issue in general. So, in all lists the disease is divided into 4 groups.
Group “a” refers to a serious dysfunction due to flat feet; in this case, the conscript falls into category “D” and is considered unfit for military service.
Group “b” implies moderate dysfunction due to flat feet; in this case, the conscript is in category “B”—limitedly fit (not fit in peacetime). Such a person receives a military ID and is sent to the reserve; he is exempt from conscription. A person of this category can only be drafted into the army in wartime.
Point “c” describes minor dysfunctions due to flat feet, in this case the same category “B” awaits the conscript.
Point “d” implies the absence of dysfunction when there is objective data. Here the “B-3” category is already in place, fit for military service, with the exception of some branches of the military. It should be noted that the Ukrainian law does not define the category; people with point “d” simply receive the status “fit”, but this does not change the essence.
When determining the degree of flatfoot, the doctor should be guided by:
Diagnoses according to position No. 123 are distributed as follows:
a) cauda equina, varus, hollow, calcaneal, equinovarus, plano-valgus deformed foot, which was formed as a result of injuries or diseases, preventing the use of military shoes;
b) 3rd degree flatfoot (transverse or longitudinal);
c) 2nd degree flatfoot (only with 2nd degree arthrosis);
d) 1st or 2nd degree flatfoot (with deforming arthrosis of the 1st degree in the absence of contracture of the fingers and exostoses).
At the same time, the article states that flat feet of 1-2 degrees not accompanied by osteoarthritis is not an obstacle to military service.
It follows that longitudinal or transverse flatfoot of the first and second degree will not cause a conscript to be placed in any of the “non-conscription” categories if it is not burdened with other diseases, but those conscripts who have been diagnosed with 3rd degree flatfoot are “unfit for duty.” peacetime" and are exempt from conscription.
This is the task of a clinic doctor, namely an orthopedic surgeon. Based on the above documents, he must draw a conclusion and make a diagnosis. The military commissar himself cannot make a diagnosis ; he simply does not have the right to do so. His task is only to determine the level of suitability for service in accordance with the doctor’s diagnosis.
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Violation of the anatomical position of the foot and its deformation entail serious consequences for the patient. Flat feet of the 3rd degree disrupts the functioning of large joints of the lower extremities, the spinal column and reduces the quality of life of a person. Flat feet in an advanced stage can cause disability. There are longitudinal and transverse flat feet. Part of the transverse deformation accounts for up to 56%, and longitudinal flatfoot for up to 32% of all possible disturbances in the shape of the foot.
The main reason for third-degree flatfoot is the complete lack of prevention and treatment of the initial stages of foot flattening. As flat feet progress, the ligaments and muscles of the foot begin to weaken, and the bones become separated from each other and the main function of shock absorption is disrupted. There is a group of risk factors that increase the possible likelihood of developing deformities:
When the foot ceases to perform its direct function of shock absorption, the load on the ankle joints increases, as well as on the knee and hip joints. When walking, the surfaces of the joints begin to hit each other, which causes pain and injury. In most cases, advanced flatfoot is combined with arthrosis, scoliosis and osteochondrosis. Characteristic symptoms of grade 3 flatfoot are:
If there is untimely medical intervention, flattening of the advanced stage can cause the development of planovalgus foot. In this case, the patient’s foot begins to turn with the sole inward. This is a type of flatfoot of the 3rd degree of the longitudinal type. Transverse flatfoot of the 3rd degree causes excessive deviation of the big toe outward, and the rest take on the shape of a hammer.
The transverse form of flatfoot often leads to inflammation in the bursa surrounding the joint.
The combined type of flatfoot, combining transverse and longitudinal, leads to obvious problems with walking due to impaired distribution of body weight. The functions of shock absorption undergo changes, causing the knee and hip joints to deteriorate much faster. Part of the load with bilateral flat feet is placed on the spine and as a result, an intervertebral hernia can form.
The simplest and most common way to diagnose flat feet is to perform a stain test. To do this, the patient's feet are painted with water-soluble paint and printed on a sheet of paper. The fingerprints will be evidence of the disease and will also help determine the stage of the disease.
Another clear sign of foot deformity is wear and tear on your shoes. If you have flat feet, the tread on your shoes wears out on the inside. If there is the slightest disturbance, you should contact an orthopedist for diagnosis and further consultation.
During the examination, the doctor performs an analysis of the image obtained using a special device - a podoscope. The diagnosis includes the correct location of the landmarks of the foot and ankle, as well as the range of motion and the angle of deviation from the norm.
To confirm the preliminary diagnosis, an x-ray examination is prescribed. This allows you to determine the nature and extent of changes in the foot. An x-ray is taken in two projections in a standing position on one leg - the angle of inclination for grade 3 flat feet is above 150 degrees, and the height of the arch is no more than 17 mm. Below is a photo of legs with 3rd degree flat feet.
A patient diagnosed with flat feet should remember that therapy can take many months, and sometimes even years. It depends on whether the person is ready to unquestioningly follow the orthopedist’s recommendations. Treatment for grade 3 flat feet consists of taking medications, orthopedic treatment and surgical interventions. It all depends on the stage of neglect of the pathological process.
Treatment measures with medications include the use of protective agents and medications with general strengthening properties. This group includes:
If inflammatory processes occur in the foot, combined with degenerative phenomena, therapy can be supplemented by taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and injections of corticosteroids into the joints.
In the case of stage 1 and 2 flat feet, it is advisable to use orthopedic measures - wearing specially selected shoes and insoles. This will unload the foot, distributing the person’s weight evenly. In advanced stages of flatfoot, the use of orthopedic measures can only be part of complex therapy. The selection of orthopedic shoes should be carried out individually, depending on the type and degree of degenerative changes in the foot.
If your doctor prescribes orthopedic insoles, you should be regularly examined for changes in the configuration of your feet. If the angle of the foot changes, you need to select and replace the insoles with new ones, taking into account the angle of the arch of the foot.
An important part of the complex treatment of grade 3 flat feet is special therapeutic exercises, which help strengthen the ligamentous-muscular apparatus of the foot. The main recommended exercises for flat feet are:
It is worth noting that all of the above exercises must be performed every day for at least half an hour.
Surgical treatment is prescribed only in cases of low effectiveness of previously described treatment methods, as well as in cases of severe degenerative changes in the foot. Surgeries for third-degree flatfoot are designed to eliminate deviations of the first toe, as well as remove the accumulated infiltrate in the area of the tendon ligaments and bursae. An important aspect is the correction of deformations of bone structures, excision of specific growths on the bones. The main indications for surgical intervention on the foot:
Methods of surgical interventions are divided into soft tissue operations, in which changes are made to the ligaments of the foot and tendons. Another type of surgery involves changes to the bones of the fore and middle parts of a person’s foot. The most common method of surgery for third-degree flatfoot is subtalar arthrodesis. During the manipulation, a small incision is made in the area of the subtalar sinus of the foot and a special implant made of titanium is placed there. This makes it possible to change the position of the foot bones in severe pathology, correcting longitudinal arches and eliminating flat feet.
The surgical intervention itself is performed within half an hour, and the hospital stay lasts from 1 to 3 days. This type of manipulation is most effective for people aged 10 to 25 years.
If you experience discomfort when walking, it is recommended to consult a specialist for advice. This will avoid the serious consequences of illness and foot surgery. Although surgery increases the chances of full recovery and normal functioning of the feet, it is worth remembering the long recovery period.