The main reason why transverse flatfoot (photo 2) is the drooping of the transverse arch of the foot, which itself is extremely rare. Longitudinal-transverse flatfoot is much more common; this type is called combined. A disease such as transverse flatfoot appears due to muscle weakness. The body weight is distributed incorrectly, the bones cannot bear it and move apart. Longitudinal and transverse flatfoot changes the shape of the foot, it becomes flat.
The following symptoms of transverse flatfoot are distinguished:
Most often, curvature of the spine accompanies the disease. Treatment of transverse flatfoot is prescribed according to the degree of the disease.
When grade 3 flat feet (photo 3), the patient needs urgent treatment. The defect becomes noticeable to others, the leg swells greatly. The disease cannot be cured without surgery. Transverse and longitudinal flat feet cause severe pain in the legs and lower legs. Sometimes a person cannot walk. Level 3 flat feet look quite terrifying; the leg has no bend at all. The disease is often accompanied by problems with blood vessels.
Symptoms caused by grade 3 flat feet:
With this position of the foot, poor posture becomes obvious. Most actions are difficult. Level 3 flat feet require long-term treatment and rehabilitation.
In medicine, flat feet in children (photo 4) are divided into congenital and acquired. One type is present from the moment of birth, the other is formed in the process of growing up. Acquired flat feet in children occurs due to adverse external influences. Common symptoms of flat feet in children:
It is necessary to identify flat feet in a 1-year-old child in time, otherwise the problem will worsen after the foot is formed. Often this disease remains without treatment. What will form valgus flatfoot in children (photo below). Flat feet in a child occur due to:
Flat feet in a 2-year-old child usually develops rapidly. In turn, flat feet in newborns are a sign of intrauterine pathology. With timely diagnosis, successful treatment is possible. Flat feet in children under one year of age are observed by a doctor under strict supervision. A disease such as childhood scoliosis cannot be avoided by a child.
Longitudinal flatfoot is characterized (photo 5) by the plane of the arch of the foot. In this case, the shock-absorbing functions of the foot when walking are lost. The longitudinal form of the disease most often affects women. Grade 1 scoliosis may even occur due to heavy load. There are the following symptoms of longitudinal flatfoot:
Depending on the degree, treatment for longitudinal flatfoot can vary significantly. Sometimes it is advised to walk barefoot on soft ground or sand, and in some cases surgery is not necessary. Treatment of flat feet is a lengthy process and requires diligence on the part of the patient. Most often, it is impossible to quickly correct flat feet. Treatment may last several months. After a massage, symptoms of flat feet in adults (photo in gal) may temporarily disappear.
If a conditional diagnosis is made - grade 4 flat feet (photo 6), then there is a need for urgent surgery, otherwise this problem cannot be cured. Flat feet to this degree develop a clear defect, which is very noticeable from the outside. If previous degrees of flat feet (photo below) also required treatment with special insoles and physical exercises, then in this case, if you refuse surgery, you can remain disabled for life.
In many cases, spinal kyphosis accompanies the development of the disease. The person begins to stoop his back greatly, walking becomes difficult. Valgus flatfoot (photo in gal) also often develops to this degree. It is in this case that a person may completely lose the ability to move. There are different types of flat feet in adults, therefore, treatment will be selected individually for each person.
When grade 1 flat feet (photo 7), the patient is prescribed therapeutic massages, a course of manual therapy, and orthopedic insoles. Since the disease is only in its initial stages, it can be cured. Flat feet don’t look as bad as they do in advanced forms; only an experienced orthopedist can definitely determine the presence of the disease. Even at home, some people get rid of a disease that has just begun.
When it comes to level 2 flat feet (photo below), massage and physical therapy are not enough. However, with a timely visit to an orthopedist, this degree of the disease can be overcome.
If treatment is ignored, thoracic osteochondrosis can quickly manifest itself due to the large pressure on the spine with weak muscles. Therefore, grade 2 flat feet must be diagnosed in a timely manner in order to avoid problems with the spine and not lose the ability to walk.
Flat feet are perceived by some as a “frivolous” ailment that is not worth paying close attention to. However, this is not so - this disease can cause poor posture, lead to varicose veins and even thrombophlebitis. Therefore, the prevention of flat feet should not be ignored - but you should start by at least giving up uncomfortable shoes.
This seemingly “trifling” disease can turn into terrible torment for a person (“only some conscripts are lucky: with the help of pronounced degrees of flat feet they can avoid performing their “sacred military duty”).
Flatfoot is a drooping, flattening of the transverse or, less commonly, longitudinal arch of the foot.
Pay attention to the photo: with flat feet, the foot looks almost completely flat, without a pronounced dimple between the toe and heel.
There are three types of flat feet:
1. Paralytic , caused by polio or resulting from paralysis.
2. Traumatic , resulting from fractures of the bones of the feet or ankles.
3. Static - the most common, usually hereditary or acquired as a result of overload of the feet.
As you can see in the photo above, all types of flat feet differ from each other in the degree of severity of the longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot.
The causes of flat feet can be a lack or excess of load on the legs. This can also be a person’s professional activity, for example, a forced working posture while standing (workers or salespeople stand on their feet all day), playing sports that place inadequate stress on the legs, wearing inappropriate shoes (for example, high-heeled shoes, rigid platform, high heels.).
Flat feet can develop in early childhood due to rickets, and also at a later age due to pregnancy, diabetes or obesity. In adults, flat feet are more common in women than in men.
The main symptoms of flat feet are rapid fatigue of the legs, aching pain in the foot and ankle, and swelling, which often occurs in the evening and disappears in the morning. With flat feet, circulatory problems in the lower extremities may also occur.
Flat feet are fairly easy to recognize. To do this, you just need to smear your foot with oil or cream, and then leave its imprint on a sheet of white paper lying on a flat surface. Typically, with flat feet, at least half the width of the original part of the foot is imprinted, since the foot does not have the required size of the notch.
You can tell that you have flat feet by noticing rapid wear on the inside of the soles of your shoes.
But the degree of flatfoot is most accurately determined clinically and radiographically under conditions of physiological load of the examined foot with the patient standing on a specially made stand. This technique allows you to assess the entire condition of the musculoskeletal, ligamentous and articular apparatus.
Before treating flat feet, you need to determine the causes of its occurrence. To relieve pain caused by walking or other stress on the feet, you can use ointments such as viprosal, finalgon, diclofenac, etc. Also, the group of medications that can be used to treat flat feet includes conventional analgesics.
To restore the natural shape of the foot, corrective insoles (instep supports) should be used.
In severe, advanced cases, it is necessary to wear special orthopedic shoes (usually lace-up boots with a solid sole and lateral support for the foot).
It is recommended to take massage courses regularly.
It is advisable to go swimming.
In the evenings (and if necessary, also during the day) take hot baths with sea salt.
And, perhaps, the main thing here is physical therapy.
1. To perform the first exercise for flat feet, take the starting position while sitting on a chair. The knees and heels are connected, the right foot is strongly extended. You should bring the forefoot of your left foot under the sole of your right, and then repeat this exercise, changing legs.
2. Stroke the left shin with the inner edge and plantar surface of the right foot. Then repeat the exercise, also changing legs.
3. Bend and straighten your toes. This exercise should be repeated 10-15 times.
4. Place your feet shoulder-width apart with your heels on the floor. Then begin to rotate your feet in different directions, changing the direction of rotation. Then do the same, already standing, holding the back of the chair. Do this 10 times.
5. Use both feet to grab and lift the ball.
6. Grab and lift the pencil several times with your toes.
7. Starting position: sitting on a chair, then standing on the floor (feet shoulder-width apart). Turn your feet in one straight line, first heel to heel, and then toe to toe. You can hold on to the back of the chair with your hand. This exercise should be performed 10 times.
8. Turn your feet to the outer side, and then to the inner side. Perform 10 times.
9. Also, the set of exercises for flat feet includes the following: standing on your toes and keeping your feet parallel, move to the outer edge of the foot, and then return to the starting position.
10. Sitting on a chair, and then on the floor, rise to your feet, leaning on the outer arch of your feet. When rising from the floor, you can help yourself with your hands. Perform 10 times.
11. Starting position: standing. Rise on your toes and heels: a) placing your feet on the same line with your toes inward, b) placing your feet on the same line with your toes out.
12. Starting position: standing. Lunge forward with your right foot, and then turn 180°, switching legs. Perform this exercise 10-12 times.
13. Standing on your toes, shift from foot to foot. Do this exercise 10 times.
14. Sitting on a chair, alternately raise one and the other leg as high as possible. The leg should be straight. Perform 10 times.
15. Standing, take 30-50 steps on your heels, on your toes, on the inner ribs of your feet, and then on the outer ribs of your feet.
16. Final exercise: walking from heel to toe in a standing position. It is recommended to take 30-50 steps with each leg.
Many parents have heard about flat feet. But not everyone attaches due importance to this pathology, considering it a purely cosmetic defect. But in vain. Over time, missing a problem can lead to the development of a whole “bouquet” of complications.
Normally, a person’s foot rests on three points: the heel, the area near the little toe and the area located under the big toe. They are held together by ligaments, muscles and tendons. Structurally, this entire structure forms two arches - longitudinal and transverse, which act as shock absorbers when walking. Thanks to them, the gait acquires lightness, elasticity and endurance.
With flat feet, one of the arches becomes flattened. The foot settles, and the main point of its support becomes the middle part.
Load redistribution leads to:
Each step may be accompanied by pain in the foot, calf muscles, and ankle joint. In the absence of serious treatment, flat feet deterioration of posture and curvature of the spine cannot be avoided.
In children, flat feet are most often diagnosed after 3 years of age. At an earlier age, the feet are covered with a dense layer of fat and visually have a flat surface. This is due to the fact that the musculoskeletal system in children is not sufficiently developed. At 9-16 months, when the child begins to take his first steps, the fatty “pads” on the soles take on the function of “springs”, protecting fragile bones. The formation of “adult forms” of the arches begins at 2-3 years and ends by 5 years. It is at this time that the orthopedist can detect the first signs of pathology.
Here's how a child's foot should form and develop with age:
Children at risk are:
The diagnosis is made based on an examination of the patient and the results of pedobarography, a computer technique that allows one to evaluate the function of the foot in real time.
While walking, a person's legs experience overloads comparable to those felt by astronauts when launching a spacecraft. However, properly developed arches of the feet act like springs with each step and protect all other parts of the musculoskeletal system from shock. So, the pelvic bones receive no more than 20% of the force of the legs hitting the ground, and the head - no more than 3-5%.
If the shock-absorbing function is lost, all shocks are transmitted upward practically unchanged. The load on the spine seriously increases, which affects the formation of correct posture. The patient involuntarily slouches or deviates his body position when walking to the side. Over time, this leads to curvature of the spine - scoliosis or spinal kyphosis. Therefore, it is important to start treating the disease on time, without waiting for negative consequences to develop.
In principle, the vast majority of parents already at an early stage see the child’s problems associated with flat feet. But it’s still better to know how the legs of a child with flat feet may look externally.
Up to the age of 18, flat feet respond well to treatment using conservative methods. The set of therapeutic measures is selected individually, depending on the age of the child and the severity of the pathology.
In general, your doctor may recommend:
The main goal of such procedures is to improve blood circulation in the foot so that deformed bones and ligaments can better cope with the load.
Young patients are required to undergo therapeutic exercises. A special complex is aimed at strengthening the muscles of the feet, raising the arches and correcting incorrect gait. Exercises must be performed daily for 20-30 minutes. You will say: this is a lot! yes, that's a lot. But you have a child who needs this in more time....Each one is different and special! Don’t waste your time while your children are small and you won’t regret it when they are big.
An approximate complex of therapeutic exercises for children with flat feet:
Also, with such a problem, special exercises would be appropriate. For example, riding a bicycle (the pedals have a cone-shaped roller, which will help with the formation of the arch of the foot). Rope climbing, swimming, walking on sand, and, undoubtedly, special exercises used for this disease will also have a beneficial effect.
Video of exercises for children with flat feet:
In addition, the specialist recommends using orthopedic insoles. They will help relieve deformed areas of the foot and correct mild forms of flat feet. Arch supports are made individually, based on a cast of a child’s foot. As you walk, the insoles take on the shape of your shoes, so you will need to purchase a separate set for each pair. The shoes themselves should have hard backs, low heels and flexible soles. Wearing orthopedic models can be indicated only in severe forms of pathology.
After 18 years, if the disease continues to progress and conservative therapy does not bring relief to the patient, surgery is resorted to. The bones of the foot are fixed in the correct position using titanium implants.
Flat feet is a pathology accompanied by a change in the shape of the foot, which is felt on its arches (both longitudinal and transverse).
The foot contains a large number of bones, which are connected to each other by ligaments and joints. Muscles and tendons are responsible for their motor activity. When the leg moves, the muscles first lengthen and then shorten again, changing shape.
All the muscles that make up the foot can be divided into two groups:
The main task of such a massage, of course, is:
The child initially lies on his stomach. After the first “course of massage” is completed, the child is turned over onto his back and the same massage “manipulations” are performed.
The massage is carried out as follows:
With this massage, the massage therapist uses the following technique:
When you get to the ankle massage, you need to pay attention to the front and back surfaces of the lower leg muscles, and after that move directly to the arches of the feet. At this stage, techniques such as rubbing, sliding, and pressing are used.
Ideally, massage should be performed in combination with gymnastics (corrective).
The duration of the procedure takes on average 15-20 minutes.
In the video below you can very well watch and “learn” techniques for massaging a child’s feet
Why an orthopedic mat is useful for children suffering from flat feet:
There is quite a wide range of orthopedic mats on sale today. They are specially made for children in bright colors and with a variety of components. What is important to know?
1st - an orthopedic mat cannot save your child from flat feet, but it will become one of the links in the chain that will help your child not get stuck in this disease, but move forward;
2nd - such a rug is useful at absolutely any age (even adults with simply sore (varicose, arthrosis...) legs can safely use it);
3rd - the child will not get much pleasure from walking on such a carpet, it will be a little difficult for him and he needs to be either stimulated (by play) or disciplined (by education);
4th, rugs with natural materials (for example sea stones) are better, the effect will be better. So watch the video and make such a rug yourself - it’s not just cheaper. this is qualitatively better.
How to make an orthopedic mat yourself at home - video instructions
Simple rules of prevention will help prevent the development of flat feet:
Recently, the diagnosis of “flat feet” in a child has been heard more and more often, but not every parent takes this disease seriously and treats it. But, unfortunately, this disease can cause other serious complications, since the child’s musculoskeletal system is not yet fully formed.
Therefore, one should not give up on the diagnosis, and once it is made, the disease must be treated. Fortunately, treating flat feet does not require major surgery and treatment is quite affordable. In many ways, the success and outcome of treatment depends on the parents.
If your child is three years old, it is too early to panic. As a rule, by the age of six, such flat feet go away on their own - over time, the foot will take on the shape of an adult. If there are signs of the disease, consultation with a specialist is mandatory.
Particularly effective in treating flat feet are special exercises that strengthen the muscles of the foot. The exercises are easy to do with your child at home, with the help of some equipment. A set of exercises is prescribed by an orthopedist. But, as a rule, they are performed every day for twenty minutes.
Let's look at some of them below:
Such exercises are also suitable for the prevention of flat feet, and will cause absolutely no harm. So that the child has a desire to perform them, this can be done to cheerful children's music in a playful way. For example, invite your baby, holding a felt-tip pen or pencil with his toes, to draw various shapes.
For faster and more effective treatment of flat feet in children, a specialist may prescribe a therapeutic massage. Massage is allowed for children aged two months and older.
To prevent and treat flat feet, in the summer it is recommended that the child walk barefoot on various uneven surfaces: grass, pebbles, sand.
Let your baby be healthy!
Bruxism is a paroxysmal contraction of the masticatory muscles that occurs periodically during sleep and is accompanied by grinding of teeth and clenching of the jaw. According to available data, bruxism occurs in 1-3 percent of people. The disease can occur in both infancy and adulthood. Bruxism is a low-pitched clicking or grinding sound that lasts for several minutes or seconds... . .
Contents What types of calluses are there on the heels? For what reasons does a callus appear on the heels? Symptoms of a callus on the heels Treatment of a dry callus on the heel Treatment of a wet callus on the heels Treatment of a core callus on the heel In what cases should you urgently consult a specialist? People believe that you should take better care of your feet than your face. The point is that there is worry and running around. . . .
Contents What are the benefits of oats? Oat oil Use of oats in the treatment of various diseases Oat decoction for the flu Oat tincture for the treatment of urolithiasis Oat for getting rid of a bad habit - smoking Oat decoction for exhaustion of the body Oat tincture for insomnia Oat tincture for chronic gastritis and hepatitis Oat wraps for arthritis Decoction of oats Decoction of oats for pancreatitis How to cook decoction oats? How to drink oat decoction? Contraindications to treatment with oat decoction. Healing. . . .
Prevention of cervical osteochondrosis and the consequences of this disease. See photo information here. . . .
Sweating is a natural process of the body associated with the human need for cooling. If the body is very hot, then the whole body sweats, but if it is cool, then only the feet may sweat. What to do if you have unpleasant foot odor? Of course, wash your feet more often, change your socks or tights, and use foot deodorant. Well, what if it's not. . . .
Flat feet are a fairly common disease among children and adults. It can be of several types depending on the nature of the lesion. For classification, signs of flat feet are identified, indicating its degree and type, on which the order of treatment subsequently depends. Symptoms may differ slightly in children and adults.
With flat feet, deformation of the foot occurs. The more severe this is, the higher the severity of the disease.
The basis for classification is the location of the deformity on the foot. Based on this feature, different types of flat feet are distinguished: longitudinal, transverse, mixed. They got their name from the two main anatomical arches of the foot - longitudinal and transverse, which are deformed during the development of the disease.
The main symptom of flat feet is foot deformation - longitudinal and transverse arches disappear
With any type of deformation, the foot becomes flat and the arches disappear, this can be seen in the photo. In adults, deformation of the bones near the big toe also develops, and the fingers are often modified.
The pathology has 3 degrees, in which the main symptom is pain. The higher the degree, the more acute the pain and the more difficult it is to relieve. Early signs and symptoms are as follows:
Areas of overgrown, rough skin appear on the feet, causing discomfort when walking. They are localized at the thumb, as can be seen in the photo. Further, in grades 2 and 3 due to foot deformation, the following appear:
For all degrees of flat feet, the use of orthopedic insoles is prescribed
With any degree of the disease, including the 3rd, obvious external signs appear:
There are 3 degrees of longitudinally or transversely manifested deformation of the foot, the symptoms of which increase:
Prevention of flat feet must be done systematically
In children under 2-3 years old, flat feet are an anatomical feature. On the arch of a child’s foot there is adipose tissue, which turns into muscle tissue when honing the walking skill. It is important not to miss the moment when the first signs of the disease appear and to begin correcting it in time, especially if there is a hereditary predisposition to this:
The second sign is the fingers curling inward. The child begins to step exclusively on the inner edge of the foot and becomes somewhat clubbed.
This indicates foot deficiencies and allows us to suggest the onset of flat feet. If these two signs appear in your child, then you need to take him for a consultation with an orthopedist, without waiting for deformation and hardening. The earlier they are detected, the greater the opportunity to prevent further development of the disease.
Parents are always extremely concerned about the health of their baby. As soon as a little person begins to take his first steps, parents begin to think about flat feet. This disease is quite common. Therefore, parents need to have good knowledge in this area so that, if there is a defect, they know how to treat flat feet in children.
Flat feet is a foot defect in which the presence of an indentation is excluded. Thus, the foot looks flat, support occurs over its entire surface.
The baby is born with a completely flat foot. Only over time, usually about 5 years, does a curve resembling an adult foot form.
This bend is a necessary shock absorber when walking, jumping, running and any activity that involves impact on the foot. In its absence, excessive pressure occurs, which affects the health of the spine and the baby as a whole. Therefore, you should be careful about the condition of your child’s feet.
There are several types of flat feet. Moreover, it can be classified according to various criteria.
Based on the position of the arch of the foot, there are:
In turn, the acquired species can be divided into subspecies:
Flat feet have several degrees of severity:
All these types can occur even in the youngest children. Therefore, when the first signs appear, you should monitor the condition of the baby’s legs.
To prevent flat feet in children as quickly as possible, you need to pay attention to the symptoms.
So the signs of flat feet include:
If you have these symptoms, you should have your feet examined by a specialized orthopedic doctor. Using the plantography method, a specialist will determine the presence of this defect and advise how to treat flat feet in a child in the future.
Like an orthopedic doctor, it is possible to carry out a simple manipulation that will help determine the presence of flat feet in a child at home.
To do this, you should prepare an image of a healthy foot print, a clean sheet of paper, as well as paints, rich cream, or simply wet the baby’s feet a little. Then you should put the child on the piece of paper. In this case, the footprint will be visible. By checking with a photo of a healthy foot, you can see if there are signs of flat feet.
If there are signs of flat feet in children, the causes should be identified. There are several reasons that affect foot deformation:
Parents sometimes do not understand at all, to the extent of their ignorance, that the consequences of flat feet are extremely serious. To be convinced that prevention and treatment of this defect? These are important events, you should look at the list of consequences.
As a result of a child having flat feet, as well as its consequences, many diseases develop, for example, osteochondrosis, in later life. Therefore, it is much easier to eliminate the defect in childhood before the body is fully formed.
Measures to prevent flat feet in children will help avoid this scourge, and will also help alleviate the situation in adulthood, when the disease is difficult to treat.
There are several preventative activities that can be easily performed by your baby. These include:
For a more fun and exciting fight against flat feet, you should conduct classes with your baby. To do this, perform various exercises.
Performing these exercises regularly will reduce the risk of flat feet. Exercises also work well for existing illnesses. Allows you to relax your feet well from tension.
The most important point to prevent flat feet is the presence of well-chosen shoes.
Some tips for choosing:
Don’t skimp on shoes for your baby, because the child’s body is very malleable. The health of your child should be your priority.
Treatment of flat feet in children is possible in the presence of the first and second degrees. In this case, cure can be fully guaranteed. For this purpose, in addition to preventive measures, a number of procedures are prescribed. Therapeutic massage, reflexology, exercise therapy, baths with herbal decoctions or sea salt, physiotherapy (electrophoresis, iontophoresis), thermal treatment, or surgical intervention are carried out.
If children have flat feet of the third degree, treatment is possible with all these measures, but they do not provide the opportunity for a complete cure. But they make life much easier for the child. They also mitigate the consequences in adulthood.
Flat feet? This is a serious disease that is especially common in children. In order for your baby to grow up healthy, you need to provide proper care for all parts of the body, including the legs. Carry out activities with your baby to avoid serious consequences in the future. After all, the child's health? This is the merit and happiness of the parents.
The human foot performs the functions of support and walking. It experiences significant static loads, supporting a person’s weight and preventing him from falling while walking. The foot performs the function of shock absorption and lifting mechanism. The foot contains 26 bones. It is less mobile than the human hand, but its bones are stronger and flatter. The bones of the foot are connected to each other by strong ligaments. In order for the foot to perform all these functions, arches are present in its structure.
The foot rests on the calcaneal tubercle and the heads of the metatarsal bones. Between them there is a longitudinal arch. The transverse arch is located under the heads of the metatarsal bones, which are arranged in an arch. The function of these arches is shock-absorbing. Vaults are capable of changing and returning their shape, i.e. spring, which helps dampen shocks and vibrations when moving.
The foot has transverse and longitudinal arches. The longitudinal arch is more pronounced. Its internal part is formed by the talus, navicular, three wedge-shaped and three metatarsal bones. It performs the function of shock absorption. The outer arch is intended primarily for support and consists of the calcaneus, cuboid and two metatarsal bones.
The transverse arch is located in the front of the foot and is formed from the heads of the metatarsal bones. A decrease in the height of the arches due to foot deformation is called flat feet. In this case, the hindfoot rotates medially, and the forefoot flattens out. All this is accompanied by a change in the relative position of the bones, a disruption of their normal blood supply and nutrition.
Flat feet are common, especially in people who constantly perform physical activity involving their feet. It is believed that more than 45% of adults suffer from flat feet.
Flat feet can be congenital (congenital flat foot), which is quite rare, no more than 2% of all cases, and acquired.
Acquired flatfoot is divided into:
Paralytic flatfoot (paralytic flatfoot) occurs after polio. The reason for the development of flat feet in this case is paralysis of the muscles of both the foot and the tibial muscles. The severity of flat feet depends on the severity of paralysis.
Rachitic flatfoot develops after suffering from rickets. Rickets disrupts the normal formation of the bones of the foot. The bones become less strong and under the influence of stress, when muscles and ligaments are weakened, the foot becomes deformed and flat feet form.
Traumatic flatfoot occurs after fractures of the bones of the foot (calcaneus, tarsal and metatarsal bones), as well as after fractures of the ankles.
Static flatfoot is the most common. More than 80% of all cases of flat feet are explained by weakness of the muscles and ligaments of the foot and lower leg. Factors contributing to the development of static flat feet include increased body weight, hereditary factors (weakness of the ligaments, impaired muscle tone and strength), wearing high-heeled shoes, uncomfortable or tight shoes, and static overload of the feet.
The muscular-ligamentous apparatus plays an important role in maintaining the springing properties of the arches. With overwork, prolonged stay in an upright position of the body, decreased tone of the foot muscles, the risk of developing flat feet increases. The inner arch of the foot is supported by the tibialis anterior and posterior, the plantar flexor muscles, and the extensor pollicis longus muscle.
As their function decreases, the inner arch of the foot drops. The ligaments of the foot initially hold the arch, then they stretch, the navicular bone is displaced from its usual place, and the heel bone rotates inward. The joint capsule stretches on the outside and shrinks on the inside. In children, flat feet are diagnosed starting from the age of four, since the arches of the feet are fully formed only by this age.
Prevention of flat feet is necessary already in kindergarten. There are sets of exercises for this. It is also recommended to wear shoes with a small heel, a hard sole, and a good fit on the foot. If flat feet occur, physical therapy, physiotherapy, and wearing special orthopedic shoes made individually are prescribed. Sometimes they resort to applying a plaster cast to form a correct arch, followed by wearing orthopedic shoes. With further progression of flat feet, the child may require plastic surgery on the foot. Surgery can be performed no earlier than ten years of age.
A very simple test for flat feet can be done at home. Lubricate the sole with rich cream and stand on a sheet of paper. You will get a print of the foot, from which you can judge its condition. If the inner edge of the print does not work out - there should be a notch there that occupies more than half of the foot - or this notch is not wide enough, then, alas, you have flat feet.
There are also more effective methods - these are 3 D scanning and radiography. The last method is good because it allows you to clearly determine the degree of flat feet down to degrees.
Why does flat feet occur?
Flat feet can be caused by excess weight, standing work, or uncomfortable shoes (and high-heeled shoes are no exception). Flat feet are caused by changes in the body during adolescence, pregnancy or aging. In people with “sedentary” professions, flat feet can develop due to a lack of normal physical activity. The cause of flat feet lies in various congenital pathologies (for example, cerebral palsy), and in diseases of the nervous system such as cerebral stroke, herniated intervertebral discs, multiple sclerosis.
What types of flat feet are there?
Flat feet can be congenital or acquired during life. Congenital flat feet can be detected in a child at 5-6 years of age. Timely diagnosis of flat feet is very important, since only at a young age is complete recovery from this disease possible.
There are longitudinal and transverse flat feet. Transverse flatfoot is again more common in women and over time causes a foot deformity called Hallux Valgus, more commonly known as a bunion.
According to the severity of the deformity, flat feet are divided into three degrees. It is difficult for a person to notice level 1 flat feet: the legs get a little more tired in the evening, and sometimes the ankles swell. But the minor illness progresses and gradually turns into level 2 flat feet: pain in the feet becomes constant, severe and rises to the knee. Flat feet of the 3rd degree is the most difficult case: pain in the feet, legs, knees, frequent swelling of the ankles, playing sports and even just walking causes terrible agony. Working capacity is significantly reduced. Headaches and lumbar pains poison life. Oddly enough, many people only at this stage of the disease turn to a specialist for help.
Flat feet progresses quickly and can lead to scoliosis, osteochondrosis, radiculitis, arthritis, arthrosis, varicose veins and other diseases. Flat feet accelerates wear and tear of the entire musculoskeletal system! That is why at the first signs of flat feet you need to urgently consult a doctor!
Shape of baby's feet and arches
An unsteady standing child aged 6-18 months usually has an O-shaped (varus) leg shape. With the onset of upright walking, the child begins to spread his legs wide in an attempt to maintain balance. In this case, the knees, as a rule, shift inwards, towards the midline of the body, and gradually, by 2.5-3 years of life, an X-shaped (valgus) shape of the legs may appear. On this occasion, one of the patriarchs of Russian orthopedics, M. O. Friedland, wrote that a child who begins to walk “must go through a complex school of balancing act.” With a very small supporting surface of the feet and a high center of gravity of the body, the child must, first of all, learn to maintain balance when standing and moving. Further, with the strengthening of the muscular-ligamentous “corset” of the body, the shape of the legs is usually aligned: the foot, lower leg, knee and thigh are centered and aligned along the same line - the vertical axis of the lower limb.
As the child grows, the position of the feet, the shape and individual curves of the arches of the feet change accordingly. The alignment of the feet undergoes natural physiological changes and by the age of 8-9 years the feet should take a neutral position when the midline of the heel bone lies close (+5°) to the vertical axis of the lower leg and the entire lower limb.
In the 60s, employees of the Leningrad Institute of Prosthetics, led by Professor S. F. Godunov, conducted a detailed study of the “maturation” of the arches of the feet of children of toddler and kindergarten age. A total of 4881 children from 2 to 18 years old were studied. The results showed that 97.6% of 2-year-old children have flat feet, and 72% of them have grade III flatfoot. With age, the number of flat feet decreased sharply, reaching minimum numbers by 9 years. At this age, longitudinal flatfoot of degrees I and II was found only in 4.3%, degree III - in 0.8% of the examined children.
Judging by the results of this and numerous other studies, by the age of 7-9 years, the arches of the feet, the shape of the legs and posture should gradually align and acquire the shape characteristic of an adult. Adolescence and the period of intense endocrine changes account for the next period of increased vulnerability. During this period, the musculoskeletal system of children is most prone to deformation. Gender, age, genetic characteristics and especially environmental factors can significantly influence the further formation of posture, the shape of the legs and arches of the feet.
Thus, natural, age-related alignment of the shape of the legs does not always occur. For example, girls are naturally more flexible, plastic (hypermobile), but if this flexibility is excessive, and the muscular-ligamentous “corset” of the body lags behind in development, the X-shaped shape of the legs and excessive deflection (hyperlordosis) of the lower back remain for a long time, perhaps all life. Some children's coaches, in pursuit of flexibility, try to constantly “stretch” their players, creating “supermen” with loose joints. Increased flexibility is good only with a balanced muscular-ligamentous system of the joints. Also, excess weight or a sharp increase in weight also negatively affects the posture, shape of the legs and the “maturation” of the arches of the child’s feet.
, varus or valgus foot is often observed , as well as congenital clubfoot , which can also lead to undesirable consequences.
The varus position of the feet (O-shaped) is often called clubfoot, although this is not entirely correct. Congenital (or true) clubfoot is one of the most severe deformities of the musculoskeletal system, which manifests itself in a child in the first days of life and requires serious and long-term treatment. Forefoot adduction is much more common than true clubfoot and is mainly combined with an O-shaped curvature of the legs. However, there are also combined deformations of the feet, when the inward deviation of the anterior parts is combined with the outward deviation of the heels and flat feet. Forefoot adduction (as well as other defects of the musculoskeletal system) often develops in children who are weakened, physically poorly developed, who suffered from rickets at an early age, and who are often and long-term ill. Therefore, everything that is aimed at the general strengthening of the body will serve as prevention. Massage and gymnastics in the first year of life, sufficient physical activity of the child, properly selected shoes - all this will contribute to the formation of healthy feet. Parental control over the correct placement of feet when standing and walking in children under 3 years of age is of great importance, when this skill is being formed. Clubfoot usually gets worse with age, so although there are cases of self-healing, serious attention should be paid to it. Treatment of planovarus feet is complex, under the supervision of an orthopedic doctor or exercise therapy doctor. Simultaneously with therapeutic exercises, physiotherapeutic procedures, special massage, orthopedic styling or shoes are prescribed. Special (differentiated) massage of the lower extremities is best carried out against the background of a general tonic massage of the whole body (except for the hands). If for some reason this is not possible, then you can limit yourself to a massage of the lower back, gluteal region and legs.
Varus curvature of the legs is determined in a child standing with his feet tightly pressed if his knees are deviated outward and there is a gap between them, the size of which can be used to judge the magnitude of the deformation. The main cause of O-shaped legs is rickets. However, this defect can also occur in practically healthy children who were allowed to stand and walk too early, that is, when the weight of the body was still an excessive load for the child’s too pliable bones. Children who are overweight and heavy suffer especially. With varus deformity, uneven development of the knee joint occurs. An increase in the external condyle of the femur and a decrease in the internal one leads to compression of the internal meniscus, the joint space becomes wider on the outside and narrower on the inside. The ligaments that strengthen the knee joint are stretched, especially on the outside. The bones of the lower leg are often curved with a convexity outward. In severe cases, the thigh rotates outward, and the lower third rotates inward. The feet acquire a flat-varus alignment: the heels are deflected inward, and so are the forefoot. Clubfoot develops. The child does not fully extend his knees, which is noticeable if you look at him from the side. It is necessary to treat O-shaped curvature of the legs, since in advanced cases the gait is disturbed, the child often falls, and gets tired quickly. The spine suffers: various posture disorders appear, scoliosis is possible. Long-term and persistent treatment under the supervision of an orthopedic surgeon can significantly reduce the deformation of bones and joints, normalize muscle tone and ultimately lead to a complete cure. The child's body is very plastic, everything in it grows and changes, so the conservative method of treatment is especially effective. This method necessarily includes (in mild cases it is the basis) massage and therapeutic exercises. Orthopedic shoes are selected taking into account the doctor’s recommendations: they should be new, not worn, with a hard back, and provide good support for the ankle joint. An inwardly angled heel or custom-made orthopedic insoles are used. You should not wear soft slippers or felt slippers at home; it is better to walk barefoot, giving the small muscles of the foot the opportunity to develop. In severe cases, corrective styling is used during sleep and special shoes are worn constantly. All children need to have a special massage and do therapeutic exercises with them.
Valgus deformity of the legs. We can talk about valgus (X-shaped) curvature of the legs when the distance between the inner ankles with tightly compressed and straightened knees exceeds 4-5 cm. Contrary to popular belief, this is not a congenital defect, not a hereditary quality, but an acquired defect . Curvature of the legs most often appears a few months after the child stands on his feet and begins to walk. This is explained by the excessive load on the lower limbs during the period of rapid growth and the still weak muscular-ligamentous apparatus. With hallux valgus, the main changes occur in the knee joint. If you look at such a child from the side, you will notice hyperextension of the legs at the knee joints. The feet gradually become deformed and acquire a stable flat-valgus position - the heels are deviated outward. Flat feet develops. In advanced cases, the gait suffers - the child walks unsteadily, awkwardly, gets tired quickly, and complains of pain in the legs. If one leg is curved by the other, curvature of the spine, scoliosis, often develops. Treatment of hallux valgus is a difficult and lengthy matter and requires constant attention and perseverance from parents. Try to convince your child of the need for therapeutic measures, giving them the appearance of a game, create a stable habit. The child should avoid standing for long periods of time, especially with legs spread wide apart. Standing this way is harmful, as it increases the inward deviation of the knees and the abduction of the feet outward. But when the legs are closed, the weight of the body falls through the middle of the knee joint onto the outer edge of the foot, the purpose of which is to bear the weight of the body. It is necessary to periodically rest your legs, refrain from long walks and prolonged games while standing. When walking, you should wear specially selected orthopedic shoes with outward sloping heels or corrective insoles. But the question of wearing such shoes should be decided by an orthopedic doctor. In any case, shoes should be comfortable, new (you cannot wear someone else’s shoes) and always have a hard heel. At home, if there is no need to wear orthopedic shoes all the time, it is better to walk barefoot to train the muscles of the foot. In summer, it is also very useful to walk barefoot on sand, pebbles, and grass, giving your feet and toes freedom of movement. In case of significant deformities of the legs, treatment with orthopedic splints, corrective placement, and surgical treatment is used. The stability and normal functioning of the knee and ankle joints depends on the condition of the surrounding muscles. With the help of massage and specially selected exercises, weakened and stretched muscles are strengthened and overly tense muscles are relaxed. Massage is carried out in courses of 12-20 procedures, daily or every other day, with breaks between courses of 2-4 weeks. The intensity of the massage gradually increases towards the middle of the course. It is necessary to avoid sudden, painful movements; the child should have a pleasant feeling after the massage.
Congenital clubfoot is a severe deformation of the musculoskeletal system of a child. The disease is predominantly bilateral and is more common in boys. From an anatomical point of view, clubfoot is a congenital contracture of the joints of the foot, as a result of which the relationship of the bones is disrupted and gross changes occur in the muscles. Diagnosis of congenital clubfoot is not difficult; the main signs are: internal rotation of the sole with raising the inner edge of the foot and lowering the outer one, adduction of the foot in the forefoot, plantar flexion, significant limitation of mobility in the ankle joint. When a child begins to walk, leaning on the damaged foot, its deformation intensifies, the shape and function of the entire leg is disrupted, and gait and posture suffer. Treatment should begin as early as possible, from the first days of the child’s life. At an early age, when the child’s muscles and ligaments are pliable and easily extensible, it is possible to place the foot in the correct position. Therapeutic exercises and massage are carried out in combination with orthopedic treatment. Special massage and corrective exercises are performed against the background of restorative massage and gymnastics, appropriate to the age and development of the child.
Trust your health to professionals!
The site is constantly filled with information .