Every second person on earth suffers from flat feet. This problem is not age-related; it is often acquired in childhood. The most unpleasant type is transverse flatfoot. We will talk about the symptoms and treatment of this disease in the article.
Flat feet in themselves represent a process of foot deformation. It occurs due to excessive stretching of the tendon, loss of tone of the muscle base. Transverse flatfoot is manifested by a change in the position of the tendons. Due to its stretching, the metatarsal bones suffer; they diverge too much, because there is no dense frame holding the correct position.
Such deformations contribute to the protrusion of the big toe bone, which occurs in stages and interferes with walking and wearing shoes. The tendon gradually changes direction, creating discomfort when a person moves. The metatarsal bone is so deformed that an obvious hump is formed, which over time becomes overgrown with cartilage tissue and becomes ossified.
Note! Transverse flatfoot is quite difficult to recognize in the early stages of development. The posture of a planned trip to the doctor, additional diagnostics will never be superfluous, even if you are sure that everything is in order.
Each type of this disease has its own special features. Transverse flatfoot can be recognized if attention is paid to the following factors:
In addition, a burning sensation occurs in the area where the problem is located; a person may experience pain in the vertebral region of the back. Symptoms that become pronounced can become harbingers of the second, less often the third stage of development of this type of flatfoot.
Attention! If transverse flatfoot is not detected in the initial stages, there is a high probability that treatment will have to be performed by surgical intervention. When the protruding hump is ossified, treatment with conservative methods is impossible.
Transverse flatfoot develops more often in women - men are more resistant to this type. Most often, the problem arises due to a hereditary factor; a predisposition to the disease can manifest itself both at an early and in a more mature age of a person.
The number of reasons can be supplemented by such factors as poor blood circulation. Transverse flatfoot never occurs on its own, so it is necessary to clearly monitor your lifestyle and its daily quality.
Note! Prevention is the best way to avoid problems in the future. This should be taken especially seriously by people who have a genetic predisposition to the problem.
Representatives of modern medicine have divided the extent of this problem into three main types.
Each degree has the same symptomatic manifestations; the more serious the situation, the more noticeably they make themselves felt; discomfort becomes a constant companion of a person.
Attention! It is impossible to determine the extent of the disease solely visually. It is necessary to seek help from a qualified doctor.
Traditional methods of treatment are effective in the first stage of development of this type of flatfoot, and bring partial relief in the presence of the second stage of the disease.
One of the popular methods of combating the symptoms and consequences of the disease is iodine massage. Only a 3% percent solution should be applied to the affected area, while rubbing the affected area with light movements.
The same can be done with vinegar essence, but do it with extreme caution to avoid burns.
An equally effective method of folk prevention is walking on small stones, pebbles, sand, and logs. It is believed that such procedures can return the foot to the correct position.
Getting rid of flat feet using wormwood is carried out as follows:
It is believed that this herb helps to increase blood flow, which will tone the muscles and become the first impetus for returning their normal position.
Attention! These methods are effective only at the initial stage of the problem. They must be carried out regularly and in a timely manner.
To relieve discomfort and pain in the affected area, you can use the following recipe:
It is recommended to make foot baths using herbal decoctions, sea salt, and contrast baths. Oak bark, sage herb, peppermint leaves, and linden flowers are suitable for preparing the decoction. You can rub your feet with tinctures of the same herbs, only in alcohol.
Note ! A qualified specialist will help you determine the most appropriate procedures. All requirements for their implementation must be strictly observed, without deviations from the schedule.
To eliminate the symptoms of transverse flatfoot and reduce the existing deviation, healing mud is used. Such procedures can be done at home. The corresponding muds can be purchased at the pharmacy. They are used for wrapping and rubbing the sore spot.
Important! The positive effect becomes noticeable after just a month of intensive use.
There are no contraindications for use. The duration of treatment is determined by the attending physician. Mud treatment is more effective if combined with other types of therapeutic and preventive procedures.
Ointments for the treatment of transverse flat feet are made on the basis of medicinal herbs. They can be prepared at home and stored in the refrigerator. It must be used several times a day, combined with intense rubbing and massage movements, which can be done either by a specialist or independently at home. Treatment with ointments should be comprehensive; you should not completely abandon physical activity at the time of the procedure.
Note! A properly selected ointment can quickly eliminate the problem at the initial stage of development. The selection of such a remedy should be made based on the recommendations of the attending physician.
One of the treatment and preventive measures is wearing orthopedic shoes. Orthopedic insoles are selected according to the size of the foot. This method helps to keep the foot in the correct position at all times, which helps the foot return to its correct shape. Orthopedic insoles must be selected taking into account all the characteristics of a person’s foot, so this selection should be made by a doctor.
A number of specially designed exercises used together with other methods of getting rid of flat feet have an excellent positive effect. An example of such exercises could be the following:
Preventive measures for transverse flatfoot include frequent barefoot walking, active physical activity, minimizing the wearing of uncomfortable shoes, control of physical activity - avoiding excessive stress. The role of leg exercises in this regard is also great. If you adhere to these recommendations, you can forever forget not only about transverse flatfoot, but also about all its types.
Flat feet is a serious condition that involves flattening of the arches of the feet. As a result of these changes, unpleasant phenomena such as pain in the feet, ankles and legs occur. In addition, the spine may suffer, causing pain in the lumbar region. A very important place in the correction of flat feet is occupied by special orthopedic shoes and insoles for flat feet.
Orthotics, or orthoses, are advanced shaped inserts that are used to support the arch of the foot.
Thanks to properly selected insoles, the load on the foot is distributed correctly.
An orthopedist will explain to you how to get rid of flat feet or at least stop its progression, as well as reduce its manifestations, during a face-to-face consultation. After the necessary examination, the specialist will make appropriate recommendations regarding orthopedic shoes and insoles.
The manufacturing technology of orthopedic insoles for flat feet consists of the following stages:
Orthotics are best made from a plaster cast of the foot, but can also be made from a print or computer image. The structural elements of the insoles are made of safe and durable materials, for example, polyethylene foam. The average lifespan of insoles for flat feet is 2 years, but they usually last much longer.
In the process of corrective therapy, there is often a need to change the design of the product. For example, you have to raise the metatarsal support or change the roll zone. Instructions for correcting the shape of the insoles are given by the attending physician. In this case, the shape of the insoles and the material will directly depend on the shape and degree of flat feet.
If you have flat feet, you need to be especially careful when choosing shoes. Properly selected shoes will help slow the progression of the disease and reduce discomfort. But high-heeled shoes that do not match the shape of the foot will only aggravate the deformity and can even provoke complications of flat feet. In a word, the further course of the disease depends on what shoes to wear with flat feet.
Important: if you have an early stage of development of flat feet, then you can get by with just comfortable shoes made from high-quality natural materials. But with stage 2 and especially stage 3 of the disease, you will have to wear orthopedic shoes almost all the time to avoid complications.
What to look for when choosing shoes:
One of the most important properties of good shoes is comfort. High-quality and comfortable shoes can last a long time and will help you cope with unpleasant sensations in your feet after a long day at work. The listed criteria are suitable not only for people with early signs of flat feet, but also as a prevention of the disease.
Attention: it should be remembered that even short-term but regular wearing of high-heeled shoes, and especially stilettos, greatly increases the risk of developing flat feet in women. Platform shoes have a similar effect on the function and shape of the foot.
Orthopedic shoes for flat feet in adults and older children are made individually, taking into account the anatomical features of the foot, the type and degree of flat feet. For example, with a flatvalgus foot with a deviation of the big toe to the outside of the foot, shoes should have a high and hard heel and a wide toe. Young children sometimes use standard orthopedic shoes. If necessary, orthopedic insoles are also used at the same time.
Shoes made to order from a plaster cast of the foot most fully fulfill their purpose. Currently, you can order quite beautiful orthopedic shoes, which in appearance are practically no different from ordinary models.
Important: if you have longitudinal or transverse flatfoot, only a specialist can correctly prescribe treatment and orthopedic insoles. You cannot try to make a diagnosis on your own and self-medicate. Untimely and incorrect therapy can lead to disastrous consequences. In advanced cases, it is even necessary to perform surgical intervention.
Flat feet are not such a harmless disease. It can lead to rapid wear and tear of all elements of the musculoskeletal system, including the spine. Therefore, treatment for flat feet should not be neglected.