The signs of the common disease flat feet are well known even to the layman - the position of the foot turned inward, when the foot tends to “lie” closely on the floor when standing or walking. More often, the disorder begins to manifest itself in early childhood, as soon as the child gets on his feet. Flat feet are initially divided into acquired and congenital (hereditary). Acquired types include traumatic flatfoot.
The latter usually exhibits a valgus form, in which children's feet are positioned in an X shape—heels and toes pointing outward, and the middle of the foot tends inward. The disorder is diagnosed in children either in a maternity hospital, or during an initial examination by an orthopedic doctor in a children's clinic through an X-ray or plantoscopic examination of the feet.
A non-specialist will not be able to make a diagnosis: until the age of 2-3 years, the feet of all children without exception look flat. The arch of the baby's foot is covered with a special “shield” consisting of fat cells. The purpose of the shield in children is to protect the weak bones of the not fully formed arch from possible damage. With age, adipose tissue in children disappears, and the foot opens completely. Now the deformation, if present, is visible to the naked eye. With congenital flat feet in children, it is highly advisable to make a diagnosis and begin treatment before the critical moment occurs - this significantly increases the chances of recovery.
The cause of congenital flatfoot is a violation of intrauterine development of the fetus. The occurrence of hereditary flat feet is facilitated by the factor when a close relative suffers from congenital flat feet, the risk of the defect in children increases, and the disease is inherited in selected cases.
Some parents are frightened by the word “innate,” leading to sad thoughts about difficulty and the impossibility of correction. The latter sometimes brushes off doctors’ warnings, especially when it comes to boys: just think, flat feet - it’s okay, they won’t take you into the army. Even my grandfather, who walked his entire life, lived well into old age. Now that the car has turned from a luxury item into a universal means of transportation, removing the need for long walking from life, it is quite possible to easily get along with inherited flat feet.
Both groups of parents are deeply wrong in their reasoning. Looking at congenital flat feet in children as a serious, untreatable disease is harmful and wrong. Under certain circumstances, without treatment, this disease can become lifelong, which is true mainly if the defect managed to “preserve” until adulthood, when the final ossification of the skeleton occurs. The nature of a child's body is designed so plastically that deformations that become irreversible in adults can be seriously corrected in children; in most cases, treatment leads to the complete disappearance of disorders.
The seriousness of the disease cannot be underestimated. The consequence of flat feet is rapid fatigue and heavy gait. If you do not pay attention to the violation, in the not so distant future serious diseases of the spine begin - osteochondrosis, scoliosis. The latter is extremely dangerous in childhood; persistent curvature of the spine causes general skeletal deformation, which is extremely difficult to correct. There are concomitant pathologies of internal organs - the heart, lungs, suffering from chest deformation.
In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to eliminate it. But surgery only periodically leads to complete recovery. Sometimes scoliosis even causes disability. It is quite possible to avoid these troubles if you take the necessary measures in time.
The main methods of treating flat feet, aimed at strengthening the muscles and bones of the legs, correcting musculoskeletal pathologies, are massage and therapeutic exercises. When a diagnosis is made, measures should be taken early. The necessary consultations for parents will be given by instructors from the massage and exercise therapy room at the children's clinic. It is possible to do the exercises yourself at home, but to achieve recovery you will need to exercise systematically for months and even years.
It is better to start classes with a massage - the procedure warms up the muscles and ligaments, making them elastic. The main techniques are stroking, pinching, kneading and rubbing the sole and back of the foot. They are performed with the palm, edge or fist, with slight pressure that does not cause any unpleasant sensations in the child. At the same time, a general massage of the lower legs, knees and hips is performed. Then they start the gymnastics complex.
In a vertical posture, the weak musculo-ligamentous apparatus of the feet does not leave the possibility of completely eliminating the risk of developing an incorrect position. It is better to start physical therapy exercises in a lying or sitting position, and only some time later, having gradually strengthened the muscles, move on to walking.
An approximate set of exercises is performed by a child sitting on a chair, holding his hands on his belt (parents make sure that the child maintains correct posture during exercise). The exercises are performed 6 times in a row; if the child gets tired quickly, the multiplicity can initially be reduced to 3 times, and gradually increased to 6.
When the child completes the complex quickly and correctly, without long stops and complaints of fatigue, a signal is given to parents that the child’s muscles have become stronger and they are now allowed to begin exercises while standing and walking:
In addition to physical exercise, shoes are important for correcting congenital flat feet. Choose something that is light and comfortable to wear, with a small arch support inside. The right shoes have a strong heel that secures the heel and ankle in the correct position and must be securely laced. Regular boots or sneakers have similar qualities. If the doctor recommends constantly wearing special orthopedic shoes, it is better to act according to the recommendations - while the child is small, the concepts of fashion and style do not matter.
By observing the right conditions, parents can be firmly confident that they will be able to achieve complete correction of congenital flat feet. In the future, negative consequences will not interfere with an adult child, without limiting important life parameters: playing sports, choosing a profession, organizing a personal life. Recovery is possible, but it must be remembered that the key will be patience and perseverance in overcoming the disease.
Flat feet is a deformation of the shape of the foot with lowering of its arches. With such deformation, the feet completely lose their spring and shock-absorbing abilities.
In a normal state, the human foot has two arches - longitudinal (along the inner edge of the foot) and transverse (located under the bases of the toes).
Both arches of the foot perform a very important function - maintaining balance and absorbing the shaking that occurs when walking. But if the muscles and ligaments of the feet stop working and become weak, then the normal shape of the foot is disrupted - it settles and becomes completely flat, losing its main function - the spring function.
In this case, the entire load that the feet previously took on is forced to compensate for the joints of the legs (hip, knee, ankle) and the spine. And since by their nature the joints and spine are not designed for this, they cope with this function quite poorly and fail very quickly.
This is why many people feel pain in the back and legs, but not everyone understands that the root cause of all this is flat feet.
Flat feet is a disease that results in rapid fatigue when walking, pain in the feet, knees, hips and lower back.
Pain begins to appear when the body no longer has enough strength to ensure normal and safe movement. It is because of flat feet that the ankle, knee and hip joints suffer, and pathological posture also develops. Which ultimately, as a result of disruption of the support system, can lead to arthrosis and scoliosis. The development of varicose veins is also associated with flat feet.
Therefore, it is very important that the muscles and ligaments of the feet are strong and support the foot in an elevated state, removing the load from the joints of the legs and spine.
Interestingly, flat feet occur both in people with sedentary professions and those who spend their entire working day on their feet. This is due to the fact that in the first case, the muscles and ligaments become weak due to lack of loads, and in the second case, the loads are too large and the ligaments and muscles simply cannot cope with them.
As we have already said, the human foot has two arches, therefore, first of all, all types of flat feet are divided into longitudinal flat feet (decreased longitudinal arch of the foot) and transverse flat feet (decreased transverse arch). Accordingly, the foot can increase both in length and width. If a person experiences flattening of the longitudinal and transverse arch at the same time, then they speak of combined flatfoot, or as it is also called longitudinal transverse flatfoot. Moreover, both types are very common, but transverse flatfoot is usually the predominant of the two.
Also, all types of flat feet can be divided into congenital and acquired. But here, too, everything is very simple. Congenital flat feet, which are treated from the first days of a baby’s birth, are very rare and are a consequence of a malformation of fetal tissue. Therefore, basically, flat feet are always acquired.
Acquired flatfoot occurs at absolutely any age and comes in several types:
Traumatic flat feet are the result of fractures of the bones of the foot and ankle, as well as damage to the soft muscle tissue and ligaments that strengthen the arch of the foot.
As a result of polio, as well as as a result of paralysis of the foot and tibial muscles, paralytic flatfoot may occur.
Rachitic flatfoot is a consequence of previous rickets. Rickets disrupts the proper formation of the bones of the foot. The bones of the foot become more fragile and under the influence of loads the foot becomes deformed and flat feet form.
The most common form is static flatfoot (80% of all cases), the causes of which may be:
Many of the listed symptoms of flat feet may correspond to varicose veins, therefore, at the first appearance of pain in the foot and lower leg, you should immediately consult an orthopedist.
Longitudinal flatfoot and its symptoms:
Transverse flatfoot and its symptoms:
As you can see, there are many reasons for flat feet, but the main reason, about 8 out of 10 cases, is poor development of the muscles and ligaments of the foot. Therefore, in order to properly form the arch, you need to constantly train them. Without load, the foot muscles become weak and are unable to support the foot in a normally elevated state, which is the cause of flat feet.
Degrees of flat feet. Flat feet 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree. Depending on the size of the angle of the arch of the foot, three degrees of flat feet are distinguished. Flatfoot of 1st, 2nd and 3rd degrees has its own characteristics in the longitudinal and transverse form.
Each type of flatfoot has its own characteristic features, but it is still possible to identify some common features in both types of illness.
In general, grade 1 flatfoot is usually called mild flatfoot. At this time, the disease is more like just a cosmetic defect.
Grade 2 - intermittent, or moderately pronounced flatfoot - is usually characterized by changes that are visible to the naked eye. The disease gains strength, and the person begins to experience pain in the foot and ankle. At the same time, the gait changes, some clubfoot or heavy gait appears.
Grade 3, or severe flatfoot, is a complete deformity of the foot. This leads to disruption of the musculoskeletal system, and scoliosis, osteochondrosis, arthrosis, or even herniated intervertebral discs may develop. The pain becomes stronger, the person experiences difficulty walking, and one can forget about playing sports at this stage of the disease.
These were the common features of both types of flat feet, and now we will look at each type of disease in more detail.
With longitudinal flatfoot, the longitudinal arch becomes flat, and the foot comes into contact with the floor with almost its entire surface. The length of the foot increases slightly. Longitudinal flatfoot occurs, as a rule, in young women who are overweight, as well as in people whose work requires constant static stress (salespeople, accountants, secretaries). The greater a person's weight, the greater the load on the feet.
The first degree usually does not bother a person, with the exception of fatigue in the legs and pain in the feet during physical activity. The second degree makes itself felt by increasing pain in the legs and difficulties in choosing shoes. The third degree of longitudinal flatfoot causes constant pain in the feet, legs and even lower back, and choosing shoes at this stage is not only difficult, but sometimes even impossible.
Let us consider in more detail the physiological characteristics of each degree of longitudinal flatfoot:
With this type of flatfoot, the transverse arch of the foot is flattened, and its length is slightly reduced. The toes change into a hammertoe shape and the big toe deviates from the rest. Transverse flatfoot is typical mainly for women 30-50 years old. At the same time, so-called “corns” and “bundles” (bone growths on the toe).
The first degree of transverse flatfoot usually manifests itself in periodic pain in the feet, especially in the forefoot. The second degree brings pain localized under the heads of the middle metatarsal bones. The third degree makes itself felt by constant and severe pain under the heads of the metatarsal bones, and, as a rule, significant corns form there.
Now let’s look at the physiological features of each degree of transverse flatfoot in more detail:
At first glance, a child’s foot is the same as an adult’s foot, only in a smaller form. However, upon closer examination, it turns out that this is not the case. A child's foot is flat, but this does not mean that all children are flat-footed. During the “child-adult” period, the foot goes through a series of metamorphoses, forming into a full-fledged functional organ of the human skeleton.
From birth, a child's arches are filled with subcutaneous fat, so the child's imprint will always be flat. The correct formation of the foot begins with the baby's first steps. And by the age of three or four years, the bones, muscles and appearance itself acquire the outlines of an adult foot, which allows the baby to be on his feet longer. The older the child, the better the clearance of the arch of the foot is visible. In some cases, the foot is formed incorrectly and flat feet occur. However, if the foot was formed correctly in childhood, a person is still not immune from this disease in the future.
Most often, flat feet are determined by a doctor using plantography. The patient's feet are smeared with a special solution, after which he stands on clean sheets of paper. The painted print itself is examined. This method works well for adults. In children, due to the age characteristics of the foot, an error may be made when using this technique.
As can be seen in the figure, the younger the child (especially under 3-4 years old), the more the imprint of his foot resembles flat feet. Therefore, to diagnose flat feet in children and identify its symptoms, they often resort to a direct examination by an orthopedic doctor.
At home, parents can independently identify the following signs of flat feet in children:
If you notice at least one of these signs in your child, you should consult a doctor.
Sometimes flat feet are congenital, but this is the exception rather than the norm. Among all cases of flat feet in childhood, these are approximately 3%.
Indian researchers found that city residents who regularly wore shoes had flat feet three times more often than those who spent their childhood in the countryside and had the opportunity to walk barefoot. Consequently, the foot is better formed in natural and primitive conditions.
Other medical studies have found that the correct formation of the foot is influenced by the amount of load on it. The less physical activity a child has, the more likely he is to develop flat feet. This is especially true for our time, in the age of high technology and universal computerization. Children increasingly prefer the computer to playing outside and going for walks. As a result, flat feet in children are increasingly occurring together with poor posture.
The development of flat feet in children is greatly influenced by the shoes the child wears. Parents should know that shoes for a child should have a small heel (half a centimeter), soft arch support and a hard heel. In this case, the arch support compensates for the absence of stones and unevenness underfoot.
A child should not wear someone else's shoes - worn-out shoes will not distribute the load on the feet correctly.
For proper foot formation, a healthy diet is important. It is important to ensure proper phosphorus-calcium metabolism and the presence of vitamin D.
The formation of the arch of the foot requires constant training; barefoot walking is good for this. It is advisable that the child at least sometimes walk on sand, grass, pebbles and other uneven surfaces. Such surfaces can be recreated at home. Instead of the same pebbles, peas will do. In this case, the child may be wearing socks, but not shoes. These simple measures will help prevent flat feet in your child.
The easiest and fastest method to find out if you have flat feet is as follows. Find a rich cream and generously lubricate the entire surface of the foot. Then take a white sheet of paper and stand on it with your foot smeared with cream. You need to stand straight, leaning on your entire foot, otherwise the method will simply be useless. Next, take this sheet of paper and carefully examine the resulting footprint. Along the line of the inner edge of the foot there is a notch, which normally occupies a little more than half of the foot in the middle. If such a notch is not observed, or if the notch is very narrow, this may indicate the presence of flat feet.
In addition to this rapid test, there are a number of additional signs that may indicate the presence of flat feet:
Certain features of foot deformation can help determine transverse flatfoot. The presence of this type of disease is usually indicated by:
Despite the fact that the above signs may indicate the presence of flat feet, they can also be signals of other diseases, for example, endocrine or vascular. In any case, if you have this kind of complaint, it is advisable to consult a doctor who will help identify the cause and determine flat feet, if the person really has it.
Diagnosis of flat feet includes a variety of methods:
Correcting flat feet is only possible in childhood, since the skeleton has not yet ossified and is relatively flexible. That is why it is very important to be able to recognize flat feet in children as early as possible. However, to determine flat feet in a child only after reaching 5-6 years of age. This is due to the fact that the bone structure of the child’s foot is not yet strong enough and is mainly a cartilaginous structure. In addition, children's feet may appear flat due to the presence of a fatty cushion that protects the bone base. Due to the above reasons, when determining flat feet in children under 5 years of age based on the imprint of the sole on a sheet of paper, an error may be made, so children of this age should be examined annually by a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. Diagnosis of flat feet in children over six years of age can be carried out using platnography, however, experts still recommend periodically visiting an orthopedist for preventive purposes.
To prevent flat feet, people whose profession involves constant standing are advised to place their feet parallel and rest from time to time, moving the center of gravity to the outer edge of the foot. It is also useful to massage your feet after a working day, rubbing them. Foot massage can be done by walking barefoot on grass, sand or gravel. At home, you can use a special massage mat.
For other people, all they have to do is choose their shoes rationally and listen to the sensations of their feet. Avoid shoes that pinch, rub or simply cause any discomfort.
Prevention of flat feet in children begins from the first year of life. At this age, it will consist of the prevention and treatment of rickets and other neurological diseases that can cause flat feet. During the period when a child takes his first steps, you should think carefully about choosing children's shoes. How to choose the right children's shoes is described in detail in our article “Shoes for flat feet.” We should not forget that no shoe, even the most useful one, can replace a child’s barefoot walk on grass, sand and other natural uneven surfaces. Research by Indian doctors shows that those who spent a “barefoot” childhood are three times less likely to suffer from flat feet than those who wore shoes since childhood. However, there is one “But” in this rule. It is good for a child to walk barefoot on the grass, but walking barefoot on a completely flat and hard floor is harmful.
For older children, you can conduct special games with elements of foot gymnastics. Such gymnastics may include such simple exercises as walking on your heels, on your toes, on the outer and inner sides of the foot. Jumping in place, lifting your heels (while keeping your toes in place), crawling with your toes back and forth. It will be useful to roll gymnastic sticks with a diameter of 2-3 cm or tennis balls with your feet, lift small objects from the floor with your toes and climb gymnastic stairs. All this develops the muscles of the feet well and improves their blood supply.
Any gymnastics will show better results if it is combined with water procedures. For example, swimming is a good means of stimulating not only the tone of the body's skeletal muscles, but also hardening.
On the Internet, here and there, you can easily find not only sets of exercises for the prevention of flat feet, but also sets of exercises for the treatment of flat feet. I must say they are very similar. Many exercises for the treatment of flat feet are also used for its prevention. All of them are performed barefoot.
Exercises for flat feet are a preventive measure to keep your feet healthy and reduce the risk of developing flat feet.
Attention! The information on the site does not constitute a medical diagnosis or a guide to action and is intended for informational purposes only.
The more intensively civilization develops, the more pronounced the impact of progress on the quality of life and human health. This is natural and natural. But, paradoxically, not always with a “plus” sign. Medicine directly connects a number of pathologies that have literally become the scourge of modern society with the development of scientific and technological progress. Flat feet is one of them.
According to statistics, almost every second resident (more than 40%) of developed countries has foot pathology. These are the consequences of the results of our comfortable and high-tech life: limited physical activity, excess weight, wearing uncomfortable shoes in an effort to follow fashion.
Congenital flatfoot is diagnosed in no more than 5% of cases, in the rest it is acquired. This means that the development of pathology could have been avoided, often in early childhood. Then, for the first time, deformation of the feet occurs, which only gets worse with age (without proper correction).
Critical periods for the correct formation of the foot correspond to periods of intensive growth of the child: 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The bone apparatus is not yet strong, the ligaments are too extensible, the muscles are not trained enough. When children begin to learn to walk, they try on their first shoes. All together creates the prerequisites for the occurrence and development of static foot deformities.
In the general structure of acquired flatfoot, transverse is most often diagnosed: in approximately 65% of cases. In second place is longitudinal, which, as a rule, is accompanied by planovalgus deformity of the foot.
Common causes of acquired flat feet:
calcium and vitamin D deficiency;
excess weight in early childhood;
sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity.
The right shoes should:
tightly fix the foot and ankle joint. Lace-up or Velcro fasteners are preferred. Shoes that press or, on the contrary, fit loosely on the foot, are not suitable;
be made (including insoles) primarily from natural materials;
have a rigid high heel to prevent lateral curvature at the ankle joint;
It is necessary to have a stable corrugated (in no case smooth) sole with a small heel (1–1.5 cm). This prevents overstretching of the ligaments when walking, allows you to correctly distribute the load on the feet, and has a beneficial effect on the formation of the longitudinal arch of the foot;
have a size reserve that does not interfere with the child’s walking. When trying on, it is better to focus on the insole: it should be 0.5–1 cm larger.
The more intensively civilization develops, the more pronounced the impact of progress on the quality of life and human health. This is natural and natural.
But, paradoxically, not always with a “plus” sign. Medicine directly connects a number of pathologies that have literally become the scourge of modern society with the development of scientific and technological progress. Flat feet is one of them.
According to statistics, almost every 2nd resident (more than 40%) of developed countries has foot pathology. These are the consequences of the results of our comfortable and high-tech life, low physical activity, excess weight, wearing uncomfortable shoes in an effort to follow fashion trends. In the end, we have what we have.
Congenital flatfoot is diagnosed in no more than 5% of total cases. The rest is acquired, which means that the development of pathology could have been avoided. But changing your lifestyle is quite difficult; there is not always enough time and energy for physical activity, therefore, one of the easiest ways to prevent flat feet is to wear orthopedic insoles. With the development of flattening of the foot, the appearance of a “bone” in the absence of treatment, the deformation progresses, can cause constant pain and lead to the need for surgical treatment.
Critical periods for the correct formation of the foot correspond to periods of intensive growth of the child: ages 1 year, 3 and 5 years. The bone apparatus is not yet strong, the ligaments are too extensible, the muscles are not sufficiently trained... All this creates the preconditions for the occurrence and development of static deformities of the feet.
In the general structure of acquired flatfoot, transverse flatfoot most often develops: in approximately 65% of cases. In second place is longitudinal.
are not many reasons for acquired flat feet Most common:
Gennady Uryev, head of the consultative and outpatient department of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics, PhD, traumatologist-orthopedist of the highest qualification category:
— Until the age of 5-6 years, it is easier to prevent or correct the development of foot deformities, since the child’s musculoskeletal system is still flexible and plastic. But it is categorically impossible to let things take their course, hoping that everything will be rebuilt on its own. The diagnosis of flat feet can only be made by a qualified orthopedic doctor. Therefore, regular consultations (at 6 months, at 1 year and then once a year) are of fundamental importance.
This is all the more important because before the age of 3 it is impossible to visually recognize flat feet: the bony part of the baby’s foot is hidden by a layer of fat, which performs a “spring” function: it reduces the impact load on the still fragile body when walking.
The following symptoms may serve as a signal for parents that they should not postpone a visit to an orthopedic doctor:
Treatment and prevention of flat feet
Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to completely get rid of foot deformity if it is diagnosed in adulthood. But the sooner deviations are identified and correction is started, the greater the chances of stopping the development of pathology, and reducing its manifestations to a minimum that does not affect a person’s quality of life.
Treatment of flat feet involves an integrated approach: therapeutic massage, therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy, orthopedic insoles. If necessary, drug therapy is prescribed.
When correcting (and, above all, preventing!) flat feet, massage and the right shoes are of particular importance.
There are special orthopedic devices for massage: mats, bolsters, balls, etc. Walking barefoot has a beneficial effect. The surface should be textured, embossed, like pebbles (a hard, flat floor in an apartment is not suitable)... Foot massage improves blood circulation, strengthens the muscles and ligaments of the legs, and promotes the correct formation of the arch of the child’s foot.
As for the correct shoes for the prevention or correction of flat feet, the criteria are clearly defined.
Gennady Uryev, head of the consultative and outpatient department of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center of Traumatology and Orthopedics, PhD, traumatologist-orthopedist of the highest qualification category:
— A special role in the treatment and prevention of flat feet is given to orthopedic insoles. They help to “unload” the foot and correct the deformation at the initial stages. You need to purchase insoles from manufacturers specializing in the production of orthopedic products and shoes. In this case, you can be sure that the products meet the required standards.
The more intensively civilization develops, the more pronounced the impact of progress on the quality of life and human health. This is natural and natural. But, paradoxically, not always with a “plus” sign. Medicine directly connects a number of pathologies that have literally become the scourge of modern society with the development of scientific and technological progress. Flat feet is one of them.
Congenital flatfoot is diagnosed in no more than 5% of cases, in the rest - acquired. This means that the development of pathology could have been avoided, often in early childhood. Then, for the first time, deformation of the feet occurs, which only gets worse with age (without proper correction).
Critical periods for the correct formation of the foot correspond to periods of intensive growth of the child: 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The bone apparatus is not yet strong, the ligaments are too extensible, the muscles are not trained enough... When children begin to learn to walk, they try on their first shoes. All together creates the prerequisites for the occurrence and development of static foot deformities.
In the general structure of acquired flatfoot, transverse is most often diagnosed: in approximately 65% of cases. In second place is longitudinal, which, as a rule, is accompanied by planovalgus deformity of the foot.
Common causes of acquired flat feet :
There is a misconception that flat feet in children under 6 years of age is physiological in nature and does not require correction.
This is all the more important because before the age of three it is impossible to visually recognize flat feet: the bony part of the baby’s foot is hidden by a layer of fat, which performs a spring function (reduces the shock load when walking).
For parents, the following symptoms may serve as a signal that they should not postpone a visit to an orthopedic doctor:
Unfortunately, it is no longer possible to completely get rid of foot deformity once it is diagnosed. But the sooner deviations are identified and correction is started, the greater the chances of stopping the development of pathology, and reducing its manifestations to a minimum that does not affect the quality of life.
Treatment of flat feet involves an integrated approach - therapeutic massage, therapeutic exercises, and physiotherapy.
If necessary, drug therapy is prescribed.
When correcting (and primarily for preventing) flat feet, self-massage and the right shoes are of particular importance.
For self-massage, there are special orthopedic devices: mats, bolsters, balls, etc. Walking barefoot has a beneficial effect. The surface should be soft, textured, embossed: grass, pebbles, sand (a hard, flat floor in an apartment is not suitable). Self-massage of the feet improves blood circulation, strengthens the muscles and ligaments of the legs, and promotes the correct formation of the arch of the foot.
As for the correct shoes for the prevention or correction of flat feet, the criteria are clearly defined. The right shoes should:
Channel One in the program “Little Things in Life” talked about how to get rid of a bunion without surgery in just 1.5-2 months. All you need is for this.
Many people experience bumps on their feet. This disease can be inherited from relatives. More often than not, women are more susceptible to the disease than men. Bones appear and, as a result, flat feet.
Our patient, a 45-year-old woman, was one of the first to try the new technique. She is the first to have grade 4 hallux valgus deformity corrected without surgery Our center tested a special device, a foot corrector. The idea of the method is to gradually straighten it by applying a little force on the thumb.
If the disease is still at an early stage, then experts advise wearing special insoles, splints, clamps, and also inserts that fit between the toes.
With the help of special devices, you can prevent further development of the disease, as well as relieve pain and inflammation.
If the desired effect is not achieved, then massage the bone on the leg. You also need to reconsider your diet. Perhaps he is wrong.
It should be borne in mind that shoes also affect the condition of the feet, so you need to choose comfortable ones. In addition to all of the above, you can perform leg exercises and use physiotherapy.
Massaging the bumps on the feet is aimed at relieving muscle tension and eliminating pain. You should focus all your attention on this procedure for such a serious problem.
Still, it is better to contact a specialist who will perform a professional massage, as he knows all the rules for this procedure. Although the services of a master are quite expensive, massage needs to be done every day.
If you can’t pull off a master or don’t have time to go to the salon, then look for instructions on how to do a massage and follow all the rules.
Massage for hallux valgus requires preparation. The feet must first be steamed in hot water. For this purpose, baths are used, which are prepared according to the recipes of our grandmothers.
After the baths, the feet are smeared with warming cream and placed on a cushion. It is used to relieve pain that appears during rubbing.
No operation is needed if used.
Massage for hallux valgus is done daily. It is quite simple, although you need to follow its sequence:
Foot massage technique
Massage for hallux valgus helps you relax, which will distract you from pain.
There are no contraindications to this procedure. Only if you are pregnant or have venous diseases, consult a doctor.
Don't forget that massage is not performed under the knees. After all, there are blood vessels that are located close.
Do not forget that foot massage with a bump on the toe should not be carried out without consulting your doctor. After all, you yourself will not determine at what stage your disease is. Massage will help relieve unpleasant symptoms, but only a specialist can cure this ailment. At the first hint of illness, consult a doctor and be healthy!
Statistics show that for more than half of patients the disease ultimately ends with surgery. But medicine does not stand still, and a development has already appeared that is designed to radically solve this serious problem.
The disease progressed quite quickly. At first this lump just gave me discomfort on my leg. Then I started to get very sick. Due to the fact that the big toe began to bend inside the foot, he began to push the second, which began to rise up and rest against the top of the toe of the shoe. And a painful callus formed at the bottom of my foot. And by the age of 54, I could no longer walk in my shoes at all! My legs felt like they were in a red-hot vice.