Our feet are the organ that does a tremendous job every day, experiences a huge load and does not attract excessive attention of the owner. But if the feet begin to hurt and deform, then the whole body suffers, because in this case, simple walking causes discomfort. In addition, foot deformities lead to posture disorders and back problems due to improper distribution of the load on the spine. In modern conditions, there is a huge number of different foot deformities. Our article will help you learn more about such a disease as equinovarus deformity, or horse foot.
What is the deformation
The named disease is characterized by a pathological condition of the muscle or bone tissue, in which the foot of a person is excessively arched forward, giving the impression that the person wants to stand on the toe.
Depending on the severity of the disease, the horse's foot may be more or less pronounced. In mild cases, the deformity can manifest itself in excessive mobility of this part of the leg: a person can easily extend the toe and in a relaxed state the leg remains in this position.
Severe disease leads tothe constant elongated position of the foot, it becomes impossible to put it perpendicular to the leg, which means that it is impossible to walk normally. Due to the similarity of a single-point support with such a deformity to a horse's hoof, the disease has received the popular name "horse foot". The photo shows what the leg looks like with this disease.
What leads to the development of the disease
This deformity can affect one or two legs at the same time. The disease can be acquired, resulting from an injury or concomitant disease, or congenital, especially if there are relatives in the family with a diagnosis of horse foot. The causes of this disease are conditionally divided into two main groups:
- muscle problem;
- bone problem.
In the first case, the source of deformity development is an overly strained calf muscle, as well as the Achilles tendon. This group of muscles, as it were, “stretches” the leg along the back of the lower leg and lowers the toe down.
Horse foot in a person can also develop as a result of surgery or injury, if the muscle group of the lower leg has been damaged and cannot perform its function normally.
When there are problems with the bones, the situation can be complicated by the presence of a tumor or inflamed joints on the foot. In this case, a neoplasm or an enlarged joint deforms it, redistributes the load on the fingers, as a result of which horse foot syndrome is formed.
What can provoke the development of deformity
There are a number of factors that can lead to the development of the described disease. Among them, experts identify the main ones:
- Genetic predisposition. The presence of the named problem in the genus significantly increases the risk of developing pathology.
- Neurological diseases. Deviations from the nervous system lead to tightness of certain muscle groups. Most often, this is the reason for the child's horse foot.
- Injuries, surgical operations in the feet and legs. In this case, there is a high probability of damage to the calf muscles, which may result in the formation of scar tissue on them and excessive muscle tension.
- Frequently wearing high heels. Such shoes are certainly beautiful, but the position of the foot in high heels leads to tension and contraction of the calf muscle. If the leg is in this state for a long time, muscle atrophy occurs, as a result of which a pony foot is highly likely to develop.
Diagnosis of foot deformity
The described problem is treated by a narrow specialist called a podiatrist. If it is not possible to get to such a doctor, you can contact an orthopedist.
In order to confirm the diagnosis of "horse foot", the specialist conducts a visual examination and prescribes the necessary studies.
At a visual examination, the doctor assesses the degree of deformity: he can ask the patient to move the foot, make circular movements while standing and sitting, when the leg is bent at the knee. Thus, it can be seen to what level the patient can raise his foot relative to the heel.
Also, a specialist can assess the strength of the ankle muscles: for this, he presses on the patient's toes and asks him to resist. Such simple manipulations make it possible to determine the diagnosis and the degree of progress of the disease.
To confirm the diagnosis established by visual examination, the patient may be offered additional examinations such as x-rays and MRI, on the basis of which the final diagnosis of horse foot is made. The specialist selects the treatment depending on the cause and severity of the disease.
Main areas of treatment
Foot deformity is difficult to treat. It is very important to seek the advice of a specialist in a timely manner. The earlier the stage of the disease at the time of treatment, the more effective the treatment will be. It includes several main areas:
- Drug therapy. It is aimed at getting rid of the inflammatory process in the joints and muscles, as well as removing excessive excitability of nerve endings, leading to muscle stiffness.
- Physiotherapy. It includes performing a complex of therapeutic and preventive exercises, as well as massage of the feet or (if necessary) the entire surface of the legs.
- Using orthopedic correctors. This direction of treatment consists in the daily use of corrective overlays, insoles, insoles, as well as specialized shoes.
- Surgical treatment. This is an extreme treatment option, which is used in the absence of the effect of other methods.
Alternative treatments
Horse foot is very difficult to correct. At the same time, the disease often affects children, in whom the musculoskeletal system is just being formed, which is why it experiences additional stress.
An alternative method of treating such a deformity, called the Ponseti method, has proven to be excellent. It shows high performance, especially when used in children and adolescents.
This technique involves the use of plaster casts, which are applied in a certain way. After a certain time, the bandage changes, and with it the position of the foot, which it fixes, also changes. By alternating plaster casts according to a scheme developed by a specialist individually for each patient, you can achieve excellent results in a relatively short period of time.
Traditional medicine methods
A vast array of traditional medicine has a cure for every diagnosis and occasion. The horse foot is no exception.
Traditional healers offer to treat this problem at home with decoctions of herbs, mud baths and compresses, as well as hydrogen sulfide baths. But in the case of foot deformity, traditional medicine can only do harm. It will not work to heal with its help - the problem lies in the muscles and bones with which you need todaily and carefully work, and do not apply compresses to them.
The harm from using such products lies, first of all, in the loss of time: instead of trying to restore the normal position of the foot with baths and herbs, you urgently need to run to a specialist for massage and physiotherapy.
If there are signs of a horse foot or other deformities, you should not trust self-treatment and traditional medicine, you need to consult a specialist.
Is there a prevention?
In order for the feet to be he althy, look and feel good, you need to follow certain rules:
- Wear comfortable shoes with low heels.
- Use orthopedic insoles or arch supports.
- Do simple exercises daily to strengthen the arch of the foot and ankle muscles. These include walking on toes and heels, the inside and outside of the foot, pulling the sock away from you and towards you, circular foot rotations.
Such measures will allow not only to maintain the he alth of the described part of the leg at a high level, but also to notice the first signs of problems in time. If the first difficulties arise in performing general strengthening exercises, this is an occasion to visit an orthopedist or podiatrist.
The state of he alth of the legs and feet cannot be underestimated, because they bear a heavy load every day at the slightest of our movement. Maintaining their he alth every day with the help of comfortable shoes and simple exercises, you can avoid various deformities not only of the feet and jointslegs, but also the spine. This will allow you to have he althy, beautiful legs and excellent posture.
