Various foot deformities that lead to flattening of the arches are the most common orthopedic disease. According to statistics, every second person suffers from flat feet to one degree or another. Many people believe that only children are susceptible to this pathology. But transverse flatfoot is an acquired condition and appears mainly after 35 years. It is especially common in women, which is associated with the weakness of the musculo-ligamentous system and the peculiarities of their lifestyle.
This disease is widespread, and its ICD 10 code is M21.4. This foot deformity is also called hallux valgus, and is popularly known as a “bump” or “bone” on the foot. It causes a lot of suffering and inconvenience, so patients try to get rid of the pathology by any means.
Unscrupulous manufacturers often take advantage of this, promising the miraculous disappearance of the “bone.” But the fact is that treatment of transverse flatfoot is possible only in grade 1. And all the “miracle” remedies can only slow down the deformation or relieve pain.
Normally, the foot has two arches - transverse and longitudinal. They are needed to redistribute the load when walking and maintain balance. These are natural shock absorbers that protect the joints and spine from shock and shaking.
Transverse flatfoot occurs when the transverse arch of the foot, located under the toes, becomes flattened. Normally, when walking, a person should rely on the 1st and 5th joints of the fingers, and between them there is a space for shock absorption. If it decreases or disappears, then they speak of the development of valgus deformity of the foot or transverse flatfoot.
The mechanism of development of this pathology is that when the ligaments that hold the metatarsal bones in the correct position are weakened, they move away from each other. This becomes especially noticeable in the position of the first finger, which deviates strongly outward. This leads to a redistribution of the load on the toes and flattening of the transverse arch of the foot. At the same time, the leg becomes shorter and wider, the patient experiences problems with choosing shoes, as well as pain when walking.
In adults, such deformation is almost impossible to correct, so the disease is considered incurable. Using various methods, you can only alleviate the patient’s condition and slow down the deformation.
There are three stages of development of transverse flatfoot. With grade 1 deformity, the thumb deviates no more than 20 degrees, the “bone” is still small, there is almost no inflammation and pain. Stage 2 is characterized by a deviation of up to 35 degrees, with a growing lump that is very annoying and painful. With degree 3 transverse flatfoot, the big toe overlaps the rest, its inclination is more than 35 degrees, severe deformation of the remaining toes, roughening of the skin on the foot, and limited mobility are observed.
Typically, transverse valgus flatfoot is known to people as a bunion. This bump on the joint of the big toe is formed due to the fact that the 1st metatarsal bone is directed outward, and the toe itself tilts inward. The joint comes into contact with the shoe, and an osteocartilaginous growth is formed - exostosis, which often becomes inflamed.
The disease is characterized by flattening of the transverse arch of the foot
According to statistics, in 8 out of 10 cases, transverse flatfoot develops in women. The main reason for this is weakness of muscles and ligaments due to hereditary predisposition or a sedentary lifestyle.
Therefore, the loads that women's legs experience lead to foot deformation. This means standing work, excess weight, as well as uncomfortable shoes or high heels. It is the latter factor that most often causes the appearance of a “bone” on the thumb. After all, hallux valgus, also called “cross-spread foot,” occurs due to increased load on the forefoot due to high heels.
In men and children, this deformity is much less common, mainly due to injuries or previous illnesses. These may be disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system, rickets, polio, or sports involving running or jumping. In this case, combined flatfoot develops, characterized by flattening of the longitudinal and transverse arch of the foot.
It is better to start treating transverse flatfoot before external symptoms of deformation appear
Conservative treatment of this disease is effective only at the initial stage, when the “bone” does not stick out much. Therefore, it is very important to consult an orthopedist as soon as the first symptoms appear. This may be quickly occurring fatigue of the leg muscles, or mild malaise. The doctor uses special research methods, and if the diagnosis is confirmed, he will prescribe treatment.
Once foot deformity has begun, it can only be corrected through surgery. But even in this case, the prognosis is not always favorable. Therefore, it is necessary to know what the first signs of hallux valgus are:
If treatment is not started on time, other problems may develop along with foot problems. The lack of shock absorption when walking causes increased stress on the joints of the lower extremities and the spine. Therefore, at stages 2 and 3 of transverse flatfoot, the patient may experience the following symptoms:
An orthopedic doctor will conduct diagnostics that will help prescribe the correct treatment.
To accurately determine that foot problems are due to transverse flatfoot, you need to consult an orthopedic doctor. After a conversation and examination of the patient, he will prescribe special examination methods. First of all, this is an x-ray, which will help to exclude other pathologies of the skeletal system of the foot. To clarify the condition of the tissues, computer or magnetic resonance imaging is prescribed.
The easiest ways to determine whether you have flat feet are plantography and podometric tests. It is best to have them done by a doctor, but you can do it yourself. Plantography is the study of a foot print. You can do it on plain paper, after first smearing the sole with a thick cream or dye. Then stand straight on the leaf with both feet.
The Frienland podometric test is the calculation of the podometric index. To do this, you need to measure the height of your foot, multiply it by 100 and divide by the length of your foot. If the result is below 28, you should consult a doctor.
Unlike deformation of the longitudinal arch, transverse flatfoot is much more difficult to cure. Moreover, treatment is effective only at the initial stage of the disease. Since flattening of the arch of the foot occurs due to weakening of the ligaments and deformation of the position of the bones, only gymnastics or massage can help from conservative methods.
In addition, the use of special insoles for transverse flat feet is effective. They stop deformation and prevent complications. Special interdigital inserts that fix the fingers in the desired position help a lot. In severe cases, the doctor also recommends wearing special orthopedic shoes, which are selected individually.
Special orthopedic devices will help fix your fingers in the correct position
All other treatment is aimed at relieving pain and inflammation. These are physiotherapeutic procedures, traditional methods or external medicines. If arthrosis of the joints has developed, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
With flat feet of 2 and 3 degrees, the patient usually experiences serious discomfort when walking, severe pain in the legs and disturbances in the functioning of the entire body. Therefore, in these cases, only surgical treatment can help.
If a person is diagnosed with transverse flatfoot, he should try to limit the load on the foot. It is advisable to avoid standing for long periods of time and also not to gain weight. Shoes should be comfortable, heels no higher than 4 cm.
Special insoles help with transverse flat feet. They slow down the deformation and alleviate the patient's condition. Such insoles or orthopedic inserts must be used constantly. In addition, it is very important to follow all doctor's recommendations. After all, the treatment of this disease depends, first of all, on the efforts of the patient himself.
If you have transverse flatfoot, you need to wear orthopedic shoes or use special inserts and insoles
In the initial stages of hallux valgus, patients experience difficulties in choosing shoes, as well as aesthetic inconveniences. Reviews from women with protruding bunions indicate that it is no longer possible to wear beautiful open shoes; it is a shame to take off your shoes at a party, in the pool or on the beach.
Later, if the condition is not treated, the deformity causes more serious problems. This is the development of bursitis or arthrosis on the joint of the first toe. An inflamed “bone” makes it difficult not only to put on any shoes, but even to walk. This often leads to limited mobility and decreased performance.
Toe deformity increases. The constant load on the 2-4 heads of the metatarsal bones, which were previously almost not involved in walking, leads to their thickening, known as hammertoe deformity. Frequent trauma to muscles and tendons due to subluxation of joints in an unnatural position causes the development of contractures. Over time, the fingers stop moving completely.
The most pronounced symptoms of transverse flatfoot are observed in the area of the first toe. It not only deviates, “enters” the second finger, but due to the fact that the joint protrudes, osteoarthritis develops in it. Frequent consequences of transverse flatfoot are gait disturbances and the appearance of heel spurs.
Other organs and systems of the patient also suffer. Diseases such as arthrosis of the knee or hip joints, curvature of posture, osteochondrosis, radiculitis, displacement or herniation of intervertebral discs may appear. Varicose veins, heel spurs, or disruption of the heart and blood vessels often develop.
Bilateral transverse flatfoot has a particularly strong impact on health. Lack of shock absorption when walking causes permanent concussion. This causes disruptions in its work and frequent headaches. The patient experiences constant stress, which leads to irritability and neuroses.
To avoid developing foot deformities, you need to avoid wearing high heels.
It is completely impossible to cure flat feet in adults. All therapeutic methods are aimed at relieving pain and slowing down deformation. Therefore, the main way to avoid suffering is prevention:
Transverse flatfoot is a serious pathology. Despite the fact that many patients do not even go to the doctor and do not treat such a deformity, it leads to many serious consequences. Therefore, flat feet are a contraindication for military service. This suggests that a person with this disease does not have the same stamina and performance as a healthy person. Therefore, it is very important to protect your feet from deformation, and to begin treatment when the first signs of flat feet appear.
Flatfoot is a foot deformity characterized by drooping arches. Orthopedists distinguish three types: longitudinal flatfoot (i.e. drooping of the longitudinal arch of the foot), transverse and longitudinal-transverse (respectively, when both the longitudinal and transverse arches are drooped). Arches are natural “arches” that raise the foot in certain places to provide optimal mobility and “spring.” When the arches are lowered, the leg becomes flat – hence the name. In advanced cases, flat feet are easily recognized visually, but more often special tests are performed for diagnosis.
If the problem is not identified in time and not addressed, flat feet can lead to a whole string of other troubles. When walking, running, jumping, the foot provides an impulse to the entire musculoskeletal system, and if the load is distributed incorrectly, not only the feet, but also the knees, and even the spine can suffer. So, many people do not even suspect that flat feet are a common cause of lower back pain. In addition, flat feet lead to deformation of the ankle and knee joints (so-called valgus). People call this problem “X-shaped” legs.
Women are more susceptible to flat feet than men. The main reason is pregnancy. The fetus growing in the womb creates additional stress on the legs, and if the expectant mother walks a lot, flat feet may develop. This doesn't mean you should avoid activity during pregnancy. You just need to choose the right shoes, and during pregnancy planning, strengthen the foot muscles (we'll talk about this below).
Another reason why women are more likely to suffer from flat feet is shoes. Girls often start wearing uncomfortable high-heeled shoes from an early age, which disrupts the balance between the muscles of the foot and can lead to drooping arches. Excess weight also plays an important role. If among adults the statistics are distributed approximately equally between the sexes, then among minors girls are more likely to be overweight than boys. And when such a load falls on fragile bones and joints, the consequences can be unpleasant.
Be that as it may, flat feet are not a death sentence at all; you can live with it fully and even train. You just need to be able to do it correctly to minimize risks.
Whatever type of flat feet you have, follow these rules:
People with flat feet often have weak ankle joints, so when moving, the knees and spine receive more stress. At an advanced stage, it is not recommended to run and perform jumping exercises - especially those that involve landing on a full foot (for example, jumping out of a squat). Such movements create a shock load on the knees and lower back.
With flat feet in the initial stages there are no such restrictions, however, it is necessary to train only in properly selected shoes, preferably with orthopedic insoles.
As for the upper body, flat feet do not interfere with training in any way. The only thing you should avoid is heavy standing presses, but girls rarely perform such exercises anyway. But in training the legs and buttocks, which are often a priority for the fair sex, some adjustments need to be made.
It is necessary to squat with a wide stance, be sure to spread your toes to the sides. The position of the lower leg will help to avoid excessive stress on the arches of the feet and will not allow the knees to fall inward. The same goes for the leg press. Deadlifts are also best performed sumo style.
You shouldn’t get carried away with training your calves if you have flat feet. Due to the disproportionate distribution of the load, the calf muscles receive a lot of stress even during normal walking. It is flat feet that often cause “too massive” calves, which girls sometimes complain about.
“Single-legged” exercises with light weights can be very useful - single-leg Romanian deadlifts, lunges, split squats. They develop the stabilizing qualities of the foot, strengthening the corresponding muscles.
Of course, you also need to start strength training only in the right shoes.
Exercise therapy to correct flat feet should be performed more often, even every day. Do this in the morning as an invigorating exercise, in the middle of the working day to warm up, at the end of your workout as a cool-down - whatever suits you. The complex is simple and consists of only three exercises:
Be sure to stretch your ankle ligaments. Due to flat feet, they shorten and become rigid, which can lead to injury. Regular stretching will help avoid this. The simplest stretching exercise is to sit on the floor, stretch your legs in front of you, grab your toes with your hands and carefully, slowly pull them towards you. At the point of peak tension, you should linger for 10-15 seconds, then rest for 5-10 seconds and repeat 5-6 more times.
We have tried to present information regarding fitness for flat feet as clearly as possible. However, do not forget that this problem is not a small thing, so you should not only read articles on the Internet, but also regularly visit an orthopedist.
Flat feet is a change in the shape of the arches of the foot, accompanied by the loss of its shock-absorbing (spring) functions. Depending on which arch of the foot is flattened, transverse and longitudinal flat feet are distinguished. There are also congenital and acquired flat feet. About 45% of all adults suffer from various forms of flat feet. Pathology is more often detected in women. Flat feet cause foot pain that occurs while walking. Often, with flat feet, calluses and corns form on the soles, and Hallux valgus deformity. In addition to X-ray examination, the diagnosis of flat feet includes plantography and podometry. Treatment consists of constantly wearing arch supports or orthopedic shoes, periodically taking massage courses, exercise therapy and physiotherapy.
Flat feet is a change in the shape of the arches of the foot, accompanied by the loss of its shock-absorbing (spring) functions. About 45% of all adults suffer from various forms of flat feet. Pathology is more often detected in women.
The foot supports the weight of the body, prevents a person from falling while walking, and plays the role of a shock absorber and lifting mechanism. In performing all these functions, the arches of the foot are of great importance - rigid and at the same time elastic formations, which include the bones of the foot, its ligaments and muscles.
There are two arches of the foot: transverse (the arch from I to V of the metacarpal bone, which becomes visible if you take the foot with your hand from the sides and squeeze it in the transverse direction) and longitudinal (the arch in the area of the inner edge of the foot). The purpose of the arches of the feet is to maintain balance and protect the body from shocks while walking.
When the muscular-ligamentous structures are weakened, the muscles and ligaments of the foot cease to cope with high loads, the foot flattens and “settles.” At the same time, its shock-absorbing function is reduced. Concussions during walking are transmitted to the overlying sections (spine and joints of the lower extremities), in which, due to constant overload, degenerative changes develop (osteoarthrosis, postural disorders, osteochondrosis).
When the transverse arch of the foot is flattened, we speak of transverse flatfoot, and when the longitudinal arch is flattened, we speak of longitudinal flatfoot. When both arches flatten, combined flatfoot develops.
Acquired and congenital flat feet are possible. Congenital flatfoot is a rare pathology (2-3%), caused by impaired development of the foot in the prenatal period. In children, congenital flat feet are usually diagnosed at the age of 5-6 years, since at an early age the arches of the feet are not yet sufficiently developed, and signs of flat feet are detected normally in all children.
Acquired flat feet can occur at any age. Depending on the causes of development in traumatology and orthopedics, it is divided into:
The proportion of transverse flatfoot, according to various sources, ranges from 55% to 80%. The disease usually develops in middle-aged people (35-50 years old). Women suffer from transverse flatfoot 20 times more often than men.
This type of flatfoot is characterized by a decrease in the length of the foot, a fan-shaped divergence of the metatarsal bones, deformation of the first toe (Hallux valgus), which in everyday life is usually called a “bone,” and hammertoes.
Normally, the transverse arch of the foot, formed by the heads of the metatarsal bones, has the shape of an arch. The main support when standing and walking lies on the heads of the V and I metatarsal bones. With the development of flat feet, the supporting structures of the arch of the foot weaken: the plantar aponeurosis, which bears the main load in maintaining the arch, the interosseous fascia and the muscles of the foot.
The support is redistributed to the heads of all metatarsal bones, while the load on the head of the first metatarsal bone decreases, and the load on the heads of the II-IV metatarsal bones increases sharply. The first toe deviates outward, the head of the first metatarsal bone and the first toe form an angle. Osteoarthritis occurs in the first metatarsophalangeal joint. Pain appears and the range of motion in the joint decreases.
Increased pressure from the metatarsal heads causes a thinning of the layer of subcutaneous fatty tissue on the plantar surface of the foot, causing a further decrease in the shock-absorbing function of the foot. Corns form on the sole in the area of the metatarsal heads.
Depending on the severity of the angle between the first toe and the first metatarsal bone, the following degrees of transverse flatfoot are distinguished:
As a rule, patients with transverse flatfoot consult a doctor about a cosmetic defect of the foot, less often about pain while walking, corns on the sole, rough skin growths or inflammation in the area of the first metatarsophalangeal joint (Hallux valgus).
However, during the survey it usually turns out that a patient with flat feet has been bothered for a long time by more or less pronounced burning or aching pain in the foot while walking. Upon examination, deformation of the foot is revealed: flattening of its transverse arch, characteristic deformation of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, and with pronounced flat feet - hammertoes.
Conservative therapy is effective only at stage I of flat feet. The patient is recommended to reduce body weight, choose comfortable shoes without heels, and reduce static loads on the foot. It is recommended to wear special insoles and bolsters.
For flat feet of II and III degrees, surgical treatment is performed. There are many methods for correcting the deformity of the first toe, however, not a single operation eliminates the cause of transverse flatfoot - weakness of the ligaments and muscles of the foot. Isolated surgical intervention (resection of Hallux valgus - a protruding section of bone) and surgical treatment, including resection of a section of bone in combination with plastic surgery of the joint capsule and tendon transplantation, are possible. In the postoperative period, a patient with flat feet is recommended to constantly wear arch supports or shoes with special insoles.
This type of flatfoot flattens the longitudinal arch of the foot. The foot lengthens, spreads out and comes into contact with the support with almost the entire sole. The proportion of longitudinal flatfoot ranges from 20 to 29%. The disease often develops in young patients (16-25 years old).
The process involves the bones, muscles and ligaments of the foot and lower leg. The bones of the foot move in such a way that the heel bone rotates inward, and the forefoot deviates outward. Tension in the peroneal tendons increases and tension in the tibialis anterior tendons decreases. The midfoot expands. The patient's gait becomes clumsy; when walking, he strongly spreads his toes to the sides.
There are four stages of longitudinal flatfoot:
At the pre-illness stage, a patient with flat feet is concerned about rapid fatigue when walking, pain in the upper part of the arch of the foot and the muscles of the lower leg after prolonged static loads.
In the stage of intermittent flatfoot, pain appears not only at the end of the working day, but also after prolonged standing or prolonged walking. Tension of the lower leg muscles is detected, and sometimes temporary contractures develop. The longitudinal arch of the foot has a normal shape in the morning, but becomes flattened in the evening. To assess the severity of flat feet, special techniques are used (podometry, plantography, radiography).
During the development of flat foot, pain appears even after small static loads. The foot expands and flattens, the height of its arch decreases. Gradually, the gait begins to change.
There are three degrees of flat foot:
In the absence of treatment, a planovalgus foot subsequently develops, in which pain appears at the slightest static load. Hallux valgus deformity (a sharp turn of the foot with the plantar side inwards) and pronounced flattening of the arch of the foot are revealed.
In the pre-illness stage, the patient is recommended to develop a correct gait (without spreading his toes), walk barefoot on sand or uneven surfaces and regularly unload the muscles of the arch of the foot, periodically transferring the load to the outer surfaces of the feet while standing. A patient with flat feet is prescribed exercise therapy, massage and physiotherapy: magnetic therapy, SMT, hydromassage, etc.
In the stage of intermittent flatfoot, the above measures are supplemented by a recommendation to change working conditions to reduce the static load on the feet. For flat feet, orthopedists prescribe wearing orthopedic shoes and special insoles as part of a set of therapeutic measures. With further progression of flatfoot, surgical treatment is indicated. In the stage of flatvalgus foot, conservative methods are ineffective. Various plastic surgeries are performed: resection of bone sections, tendon transplantation, etc.
An article about how and why high heels lead to flat feet, further foot problems and how you can get rid of transverse flat feet and prevent the development of foot problems.
Experts estimate that 65% of women wear high heels more than 40 hours a week and do not intend to part with them, and 35% of them do not consider a 5 cm heel to be a heel, although all orthopedists agree that a 4-5 cm heel is the most correct. This often leads to stagnation in the legs with the ensuing consequences - the trophism of the skin, deep tissues, ligaments and muscles is disrupted. Often the spine is involved in the process - posture changes, pain appears.
It would seem like a dead end situation: you need to find a compromise between a 4-5 cm heel and a higher one, which women usually wear. Let’s say right away that there is a solution and you will read about it later. Now, just to know and understand the problem, familiarize yourself with how problems arise in the legs - this will help break cause-and-effect relationships and avoid diseases in the legs in the future.
Let's look at it in order: take a look at the picture, where you can see the normal arches (transverse and longitudinal) of the foot. The foot on the plane rests on 3 points: 1st - the head of the first metatarsal bone; 2nd point – head of the fifth metatarsal bone; 3rd point - tubercle of the calcaneus. Between these points there is a tendon formation - the so-called sail or plantar aponeurosis. It seems to pull all three points together, and thus the foot can acquire a more or less curved arch.
The sail “works” by springing while walking, running and jumping. It is clear that enormous loads are placed on him. Therefore, the ligaments, muscles of the foot, and therefore the sails, must be in good condition.
Due to wearing narrow shoes, and especially high heels, the foot slides down when walking and wedges into the toe of the shoe. This is where the most important thing happens: the distance between the first and second points of support of the foot begins to get closer, the aponeurosis loses its load and sags, i.e. it does not contract points 1 and 2.
And in the body, everything is arranged in such a way that if some part does not “work”, then they stop “feeding” it (remember, maybe you saw, when a plaster cast is removed after a limb fracture, the muscles of that limb are much thinner than those of a healthy one). This situation also occurs with muscles, ligaments, and most importantly with the aponeurosis of the foot: tissue degeneration occurs, followed by dysfunction.
We continue, heels (shoes) are usually worn for several hours a day and this is enough to disrupt the nutrition of the foot tissues. At home, wear loose slippers or walk barefoot on a flat, flat surface.
And since the aponeurosis began to degrade, it completely ceases to perform its contracting function. As a result, the upper point of the transverse arch (the head of the 3rd metatarsal bone) rapidly descends towards the floor.
Why is this bad? The foot does not fully perform the springing function when walking, the work of the muscles and ligaments of the foot is disrupted; posture is disturbed; congestion occurs in the foot, lower leg and above it.
Constant, persistent pain in the legs appears, and all conditions are created for the development of varicose veins of the lower extremities. Remember, the first symptom of a problem in the feet is the condition of the legs in the morning, i.e. when you get up and in the morning you feel that your legs are not rested - this is the first “bell” that you have congestion in your feet.
And if in the morning there is increased pain in the legs, swelling, changes in color and sensitivity of the skin, you should know that serious and immediate measures are needed. These are symptoms of the onset of varicose veins. This is where action needs to be taken.
Therefore, after wearing heels, you need to massage your feet.
What else is noted about transverse flatfoot : a common visible symptom of flatfoot is “bones” on the legs. They arise due to a change in the point of contact of the head of the 1st metatarsal bone with the surface of the floor, shoes when walking (especially in heels).
As we have already said, with transverse flatfoot, points 1 and 2 diverge from each other, while the big toe remains in place (narrow shoes “help” it with this) and turns inward due to an increase in the distance between the metatarsal bones in the form of a fan.
Next, the “bone”—the head of the 1st metatarsal bone—gets packed and an area of very painful periosteum appears. As a defensive reaction, the periosteum begins to grow and thicken, and the well-known unloved large “bones” appear.
There are traditional solutions: conservative and surgical. But it is important to influence the root cause of flat feet, then effectiveness is guaranteed. It is necessary to qualitatively improve the condition of the aponeurosis of the foot, to give it nutrition in the form of a constant flow of fresh blood!
A total foot massage will cause the aponeurosis to begin to tighten points 1 and 2, i.e. heads of the 1st and 5th metatarsals. Experience shows that even those who have bunions notice that after such a massage the big toe begins to straighten out, pain in the feet goes away, the arch gradually begins to recover, which means transverse flat feet go away.
Author: Orthopedic Market CIRCLE OF HEALTH - all rights reserved.
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A healthy human foot is a movable combination of bones that make up two arches. This is necessary to perform shock absorption functions when walking. But under certain conditions or due to congenital developmental features, the foot acquires a flat shape. This happens 4 times more often in women than in men. Most likely because they have weaker foot muscles and ligaments, and they are more likely to wear uncomfortable shoes.
Some people do not know why flat feet are dangerous. Therefore, they consult a doctor when the consequences become irreversible. But it has already been proven that often arthritis, osteochondrosis, curvature of the spine, headaches and other problems can be consequences of flat feet.
Only the human foot has a unique property - it springs when moving. This occurs due to a complex system of ligaments, muscles and movable bone connections. This design works like a shock absorber, absorbing impulses from steps. Thanks to this, the load on the spine and leg joints is compensated, and the brain is protected from concussions.
The foot achieves its shock-absorbing properties due to its special design: it has a vaulted structure. The longitudinal arch is the concave part on the inside of the foot. Thanks to it, a person manages to maintain balance and avoid unnecessary stress on the joints and spine. The transverse one is located at the base of the fingers and helps to evenly distribute the load when walking.
Foot deformity due to flat feet can occur for various reasons. Most often it is caused by increased stress on the legs. This may occur while playing sports, doing strenuous physical work, lifting heavy objects, or standing for long periods of time. Therefore, loaders, runners, salespeople, hairdressers, and couriers often suffer from flat feet. Increased stress on the legs can also occur during pregnancy or in overweight people.
But those who do not fall into these categories need to know why flat feet still develop. Flattening of the foot can occur due to weakening of the ligaments and muscles that hold the arches in the correct position. This happens with a sedentary lifestyle, when a person sits most of the time, or in old age. The foot is also deformed due to various injuries, wearing high heels or narrow, uncomfortable shoes.
Some diseases can lead to metabolic disorders in bones and soft tissues, as a result of which they can no longer perform their functions correctly. Therefore, the causes of flat feet include rickets, diabetes, digestive disorders, and endocrine diseases.
A new science, psychosomatics, also pays attention to the problems of flat feet. She notes that the foot flattens in those who do not feel self-confident, do not see support in life and support from loved ones.
Heavy loads and uncomfortable shoes often lead to the development of flat feet.
At the initial stages, it is very difficult to recognize the symptoms of flat feet in adults. A person may not pay attention to rapid fatigue of the leg muscles, a feeling of heaviness, or swelling in the evenings. Then he may notice that his shoes quickly begin to wear down and become deformed, especially on the inside. It becomes small as the foot has increased in size. Women already find it difficult to wear heels as they cause painful cramps.
Pain with flat feet can be not only in the muscles of the foot or calves. Due to the loss of shock-absorbing functions, the joints of the legs begin to deteriorate, the spine and even the brain suffer.
Flat feet in adults is one of those diseases that progresses quickly and is almost impossible to cure. Therefore, it is so important to promptly determine the presence of pathology. You can check the condition of your feet yourself using a simple test: lubricate your soles with oil or rich cream and stand on a sheet of paper. Then study the footprints.
But to understand whether you have flat feet, you need to know what the footprint of a healthy foot looks like. The indentation on the inside should take up more than half of the print, and there should be free space in front between the toes and the ball of the foot.
An orthopedist is a professional specialist in diagnosing flat feet. This is done based on a visual examination and a conversation with the patient about the symptoms that are bothering him. But the diagnosis is confirmed only after an instrumental examination. Computer diagnostics of the feet, podometry and radiography are carried out.
Special diagnostic procedures will help determine the presence of flat feet and its features.
This disease has been known to medicine for a long time and has been well studied. Therefore, the classification of flat feet is carried out in different directions. If we take the cause of development, then we distinguish between congenital and acquired flat feet during life. A diagnosis of traumatic, rachitic or static flatfoot can also be made.
Depending on the location of the deformation, it can be longitudinal, transverse or combined. And to prescribe the correct treatment, it is important to determine the severity of the disease.
Sometimes the disease is caused by a hereditary predisposition or characteristics of intrauterine development. But congenital flatfoot is rare, and it can be noticed after birth only in severe deformities. Typically, children are diagnosed at 5-6 years of age.
But most often, flat feet are acquired during life. Muscle weakness, increased loads, incorrect choice of shoes, injuries or various diseases lead to deformities. In accordance with this, several types of flat feet are distinguished.
When the longitudinal arch of the foot flattens, longitudinal flatfoot develops.
This condition, when the longitudinal arch of the foot gradually disappears, occurs most often in young people aged 15 to 25 years. Sometimes this form of flatfoot appears due to obesity. It is characterized by the fact that the foot becomes flat, the size of the leg increases, and the heel completely flattens. In this case, after putting stress on the legs, severe pain and swelling occur, especially in the ankle joint.
More than half of the cases of flat feet in adults are of this type. Transverse flatfoot occurs when the arch of the foot flattens under the toes. Most often this happens due to increased stress on the foot. Therefore, such deformities develop in people over 35 years of age. Women who like to walk in high heels especially suffer from transverse flatfoot. It also develops in people who spend a long time on their feet.
The most common type is bilateral transverse flatfoot. Its peculiarity is an increase in the width of the foot, its shortening, rapid fatigue of the calf muscles, as well as severe curvature of the big toe. This condition is also called hallux valgus, or simply called bunion.
There are three stages of the disease according to the severity of the deformity. With 1st degree flat feet, only slight fatigue of the legs is observed. Muscles may ache, but only slightly. At the second stage, deformation and disappearance of the arches of the feet are already noticeable. The pain is almost constant and can be very severe. It becomes difficult for a person to walk and stand. Women can no longer wear high heels.
With grade 3 flat feet, various complications develop. Not only the feet hurt, but also the joints of the legs, back, and headaches appear. The foot is very deformed, which deprives the patient of the opportunity to wear ordinary shoes, and sometimes even to move at all. A photo of the legs of a person with the last degree of flat feet shows why it is difficult for him to walk.
With severe longitudinal-transverse flatfoot, the foot becomes completely flat
Every child is born with flat feet. When children begin to walk, the function of a shock absorber is not performed by the arches, but by a special fat pad on the sole. The correct shape of the foot is formed only by the age of 3-5, so before this age it is almost impossible to determine whether a child has flat feet. Therefore, doctors recommend that all parents carry out preventive measures: massage the legs, do gymnastics, allow them to walk barefoot, especially on pebbles, sand, or special orthopedic rugs. It is very important to choose the right shoes for your baby.
If a child is diagnosed with flat feet, all doctor’s recommendations must be followed. You should not hope that the disease will go away on its own. On the contrary, without treatment the deformation will only get worse. And you can get rid of flat feet only until the complete ossification of the skeleton is complete - until about 15-18 years.
Many people do not know what the dangers of flat feet are, so when the first symptoms appear, not everyone goes to the doctor. Because of this, the disease progresses and leads to complications. The loss of shock-absorbing properties of the foot can cause pathologies of the knee joints, as the load on them increases. The spine also suffers - now it is the spine that has to compensate for the shaking and impacts when walking. Therefore, intervertebral hernias, pinched nerves, vertebral displacement, osteochondrosis or radiculitis appear.
But most often the consequences of flat feet are visible on the condition of the legs. Deformation of the feet leads to the appearance of calluses, corns, heel spurs, and changes in the shape of the toes. The gait also changes, and club feet may appear. Incorrect placement of the foot bones leads to poor circulation in the legs. Because of this, varicose veins may develop.
If flat feet are not treated, degenerative-dystrophic processes will develop throughout the entire musculoskeletal system.
To prevent complications, you should not self-medicate. And although almost all therapeutic measures are carried out at home, only a doctor can prescribe them after an examination. Treatment of flat feet must be comprehensive. It is not possible to quickly get rid of the deformity, and in many cases, especially in adults, it is only possible to stop its progression and relieve pain. Therefore, you need to tune in to regular, long-term treatment, which may take more than one year.
Therapeutic methods must be chosen so that they do not only alleviate symptoms. Treatment should strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the foot, correct the position of bones and joints, and form a correct gait. We also need measures to normalize metabolism in the body, improve blood circulation, and strengthen the immune system.
To relieve leg pain, it is recommended to use painkillers and physiotherapeutic procedures. But the main methods of treatment are measures aimed at strengthening the muscles and correcting foot deformities. What treatment is most often prescribed:
To treat flat feet, special orthopedic insoles and other devices are used.
As soon as the first signs of the disease appear, it is very important to choose the right shoes. Women will have to give up fashionable shoes with narrow toes and high heels. Shoes should be the right size, with low heels, 3-4 centimeters. It is necessary that the sole and upper be soft, and the toe should not be narrow. It is especially important to choose the right shoes for children. You should not buy it for growth; it is not advisable to wear flip-flops without a backdrop or heels until you are 5-6 years old.
At stages 2 and 3, flat feet require special orthopedic shoes. Doctors will help you choose one. It usually covers the ankle joint, has lacing and a special instep support.
The main method of treating flat feet is special exercises for the legs. It is necessary to strengthen muscles and ligaments. You need to exercise regularly, preferably even 2-3 times a day for 10-15 minutes. All exercises to correct flat feet are simple. You can even do them at work. These are rotations with the feet, rising on the toes, walking on the heels, the inner and outer parts of the foot. Walking on sand, pebbles, and massage mats is helpful.
Many people ask doctors whether it is possible to run with flat feet. This is not prohibited, but you should not get carried away. If you choose the right shoes, don’t exercise for too long or too often, gradually increase the load and warm up your muscles before training, then running with flat feet won’t do any harm, and will even be beneficial.
Special exercises will help strengthen the muscles and ligaments of the foot
By following certain rules, you can avoid deformation and maintain foot health. The most important thing is to lead an active lifestyle from childhood to strengthen your muscles. It is useful to engage in swimming, cycling, dancing. You need to walk barefoot more often, especially not on a smooth surface, but on pebbles or sand. Daily foot massage will help improve blood circulation and strengthen muscles. You should try to give up uncomfortable tight shoes and wear high heels less often.
To avoid increased stress, it is necessary to monitor your weight and not spend long periods of time on your feet without rest. It is not recommended to engage in professional running or weightlifting. Sports such as skiing or skating should also be avoided.
Flat feet are a serious pathology. It affects the health of the entire body. The disease must be treated. After all, due to foot deformation, the entire body suffers.