Most often, longitudinal flatfoot of the 1st degree begins to form in overweight women, often in people (men and women) who, due to work or life rhythm, are in a constant static position. Typically, bilateral flat feet occur in salespeople, secretaries, and other similar professions. Further development of the disease is the appearance of the second and third degree of longitudinal flatfoot, which affects the entire functioning of the musculoskeletal system: curvature of the spine appears, balance is disturbed, rapid fatigue of the legs and discomfort when walking are felt.
Longitudinal flatfoot, according to statistics, is considered a fairly common disease, occurring in 20% of patients. Sometimes it is not longitudinal, but, on the contrary, transverse or combined flattening of the foot. As a rule, only in 3% of cases is flatfoot a congenital disease, and is almost always accompanied by more pronounced pathologies. Otherwise, the disease is acquired throughout life and is often observed in children after 3 years of age. Until this age, children’s feet are just developing and appear flat, although before the age of 3, it is almost impossible to accurately identify flat feet.
Among the adult population with longitudinal flatfoot of the 2nd or third degree, 95% are overweight people, or those who, due to professional or life rhythm, are forced to constantly be “on their feet.” Foot treatment is supervised by orthopedic doctors.
There are 26 bones, muscles and ligaments in the human foot. All of these parts ensure the functioning of a single organism responsible for walking, movement, and running. With proper formation of the feet, the load on the legs is distributed evenly, which allows you to maintain an even posture, balance, and maintain the natural position of the joints. When walking or running, a properly shaped foot reduces stress on the ligaments and joints. If the foot becomes arched, it almost completely touches the floor, and as a result, flat feet are diagnosed.
This disease causes poor posture, the development of unnatural motor stereotypies, and increases the risk of certain diseases associated with the activity of the musculoskeletal system.
Flat feet are a congenital ailment in the smallest percentage of cases (statistically, only 3%). Otherwise, children over 3 years of age and working adults, mostly young and mature, are susceptible to the disease. The causes of flat feet can be:
Longitudinal flatfoot is characterized by the appearance of a flat longitudinal arch of the foot. This can be easily checked by making a footprint on the floor or paper. If the foot is completely in contact with the surface, there is flatfoot. The foot becomes significantly longer, which is noticeable already at the first stage of the disease.
In medicine, there are three degrees of longitudinal flatfoot, each of which is characterized by different symptoms. The symptoms of each degree are as follows:
The initial stages, which include the first and second, do not cause serious inconvenience or trouble to a person. The first two degrees are quite easy to treat. The third stage is considered advanced and difficult to treat.
If one or more of the above symptoms appears, a person is advised to go to the hospital to avoid worsening the disease. The easiest and most effective method is considered to be calculating a special index, called podometric, according to the famous Friedland system. To calculate this index, the doctor measures the height of the foot from the end of its arch to the surface of the floor, and also measures the length of the entire foot from the edge of the heel to the tip of the big toe.
After all measurements have been taken, the height indicator is multiplied by 100 and divided by the length indicator. This result is the podometric index, which in a healthy person should not be other than 30. If the indicator is different, it is possible that the first stages of the disease are developing; when an index of 25 is obtained, the presence of a highly developed disease is evident. To verify the data obtained, additional studies are used: plano- and radiography. The first procedure is a study during which the sole is covered with a special color substance and the resulting foot print is examined on a piece of paper. An x-ray is taken with the foot in a lateral position and the image is sent to the appropriate doctor.
An accurate diagnosis should be made by a doctor of the appropriate specialty: a surgeon or an orthopedist. To diagnose the disease, it is necessary to conduct radiography, plantometry and podometry of the feet.
To get rid of the disease in question, it is recommended:
In addition to all of the above aspects, doctors may recommend treating the feet with special massages and physiotherapy. If these methods are found to be ineffective, especially if grade 3 longitudinal flatfoot is diagnosed, the doctor may prescribe surgery. Surgical intervention is divided into three groups:
Whether surgical intervention is worthwhile is determined taking into account the characteristics of the disease: the severity of the pathology, the nature of pain and discomfort. The most commonly used method is calf muscle tendon transplantation. If flat feet are observed as a result of an injury or in the presence of rickets, an osteotomy is performed. Upon completion of the operation, a cast is applied to the foot, which must be worn for about a month and a half. After the cast is removed, physical therapy, special massage and other conservative procedures are prescribed.
When observing longitudinal flatfoot in the early stages (first and second), the main efforts are made not so much for treatment, but for the prevention of the disease.
Flat feet of the 3rd degree, without signs of arthrosis
Arch height 18mm
(I know that the third degree is more than 156 degrees and less than 17mm)
(once again I have 3 reports on my hands and in all three I have 3rd degree flat feet (one report from the N.N. Priorov CITO))
Left leg 150 degrees, arch height 22 mm
Right 154 degrees, arch height 25mm
(this is for 2009)
“We get up in the morning, do exercises with a heavier barbell (or a means that replaces it). Then we go for a walk along the streets of our hometown and walk for 2-3 hours. The point is that under load, the feet “flatten” and the height of the longitudinal arch DECREASES accordingly , and as the height decreases, the angle of the longitudinal arch INCREASES (simple geometry).
Then we go to a medical facility to take photographs of the feet under physiological stress. The procedure is:
You stand on one leg, try with all your might to “bend” it in the direction opposite to the knee (i.e., do not bend it at the knee, but ON THE VERSACE), bend the other leg at the knee and move it slightly to the side (45 degrees) and back, with your hand (hands) ) lean against the wall so as not to fall. Tilt your body slightly forward, the main weight should fall on your toes and a little on your heel.
Then everything is repeated with a change of legs.
But, you can use the wall “for its intended purpose”! We try with all our might to “press” against the wall with our hand(s), pressing UPWARDS on the wall (to increase the load on the leg.), the main thing is to stand straight, otherwise the pictures will be incorrect.
That's not all. If you just stand on one leg, you may feel that your foot is not completely pressed to the floor, so before planting, raise your toes up (the higher the better), plant your foot and lower your toes. You may now feel more “pressed” to the floor than before.
These little tricks allowed me personally to reduce the height of the arch by 5 mm in both feet, and increase the angle of the longitudinal arch by 7 degrees, which led from the second degree of flatfoot to the third.
These are not all ways to increase the degree of longitudinal flatfoot, but only painless ones; there are others, but this is already in the realm of self-harm.
Be sure to practice a lot at home, otherwise you will fail at the radiologist’s examination as if you were on an exam."
And they also advised me this thing. You put your foot on your heel. Then you pull your big toe (stretch your leg) and place your leg as stretched as possible. AND YOU PRESSURE WITH ALL YOUR STUPIDITY.
I took x-rays several times. Sometimes when I was doing it, they put me on a platform that was 10 centimeters high, and sometimes another (on which I usually do X-rays in a supine position) half a meter high. So, if you stand on one that is half a meter high, then it is very convenient to rest your hands on the ceiling. Then you can put pressure on your leg VERY, VERY hard and you still need to relax your leg - this will make the degree greater, you need to try to bring your knees together and place your leg not strictly perpendicular to the floor, but tilted as much as possible."
With longitudinal flatfoot, the longitudinal arch of the foot is flattened, and the foot itself comes into contact with the floor with almost its entire surface.
At the same time, even the length of the foot, that is, the size of the leg, may increase.
Longitudinal flat feet most often occur in young, overweight women, as well as in people who spend a lot of time standing on their feet.
The load on the feet is proportional to the person's weight. Flat feet can vary in severity.
The first degree is not too disturbing, but with increased physical activity, fatigue in the legs and pain in the feet may appear. This is a mildly expressed flatfoot, the angle of the arch of the foot is 131-140°, the height of the arch is 35-25 mm.
The second degree is characterized by increasing pain, as well as difficulties in choosing shoes. The level of the arch of the foot is 141 - 155°, its height is up to 24-17 mm. The talonavicular joint begins to show signs of curvature.
The third degree of longitudinal flatfoot causes almost constant pain in the feet, legs and even lower back; choosing shoes at this stage can be very difficult, and often completely impossible. With grade 3 longitudinal flatfoot, there is a noticeable increase in the angle of the arch - over 155°, as well as a decrease in its height - less than 17 mm. Deforming arthrosis of other joints of the foot is noticeable.
Longitudinal flatfoot degree
The diagnosis of “Longitudinal flatfoot” and determination of its degree should be carried out strictly by an orthopedic surgeon, and not by the patient. The data is provided only for the purpose of familiarizing yourself with this foot problem.
Diagnosis of longitudinal flatfoot and determination of its degree is carried out using various methods.
Most often, this is the determination of the podometric index using the Friedland method. The orthopedist measures the height of the foot from the floor to the top of the arch with a special compass. Then measures the length of the foot from the end of the big toe to the edge of the heel. Next, the height of the foot is multiplied by 100 and divided by the length.
The resulting figure is the podometric index. Normally it is in the range of 29-31.
If the index is 27-29, then this indicates that there is longitudinal flatfoot.
If it is equal to 25, then the degree of flat feet is already high.
A more accurate method for identifying flat feet and its degree is plantography. A special dye is applied to the patient's soles, and then he stands on a clean sheet of paper. From the imprint on the sheet, the doctor can tell whether there is foot pathology and how severe it is.