One of the important components of an ideal figure are beautiful legs. However, nature has not rewarded everyone with good external data. Legs can also have a number of shortcomings, which is why women sometimes become constrained and withdrawn. This problem worries men as well.
The beauty of the figure and, in particular, the shape of the legs are also important for them. How to fix what is not given to us from birth? To do this, modern medicine offers a variety of surgical and non-surgical methods.
Common problem
According to medical statistics, one person in a thousand has a shortened leg. Moreover, the difference in the length of the lower limbs exceeds 2 cm. This condition, as a rule, is detected by chance. If different leg length is congenital, then it is usually asymptomatic. This is the danger of this pathology.
Types of shortening
The reason for the difference in leg length may be:
- congenital;- acquired.
In the first case, the pathology makes itself felt already at an early age, and then begins to gradually progress. If you suspect an existingthe problem of the approximate difference of the legs can be determined independently. The next step should be to consult a specialist.
Complications with different leg lengths
Pathology has extremely unpleasant consequences. She becomes the reason:
- back pain;
- pelvic tilt;
- occurrence of deforming arthrosis and aseptic necrosis in the area of the hip joint;
- disturbances of statics and gait; - the occurrence of concomitant injuries;
- violations of ergonomics;
- muscle imbalance.
Manual Therapy
What to do if a person needs a leg correction? One of the ways out of this situation is the use of manual therapy techniques. Specialists working in this field act gently but purposefully, making the effort necessary to relax tense muscles.
In addition, a person who needs a leg correction must perform special exercises and constantly improve their physical form. Strong musculature will support the bones of the skeleton and allow the back to straighten. In addition, swimming, horse riding, and training on special equipment are recommended.
Special items
If one leg is shorter than the other, it is recommended to wear an orthopedic heel pad. They are also called compensatory insoles. Such products are selected individually and produced relatively quickly.
Orthopedic heel pad designed for stabilizationthe position of the feet and the spinal column, the suspension of flat feet and scoliosis, as well as to relieve particularly stressed areas of the spine.
If the difference in the length of the legs is significant, then the patient, in addition to compensatory insoles, needs arch supports. Only together they will unload the feet and spine, correct posture.
In order to get used to the insoles and arch supports, a person will need some time. So, slight discomfort brings inconvenience to the patient only during the first seven days. After this period, the condition improves significantly. Orthopedic heel pads and arch supports practically cease to be felt by a person. At the same time, he becomes much more comfortable walking, and the discomfort in his legs and back ceases to bother him.
For leg correction, heel pads are used, made of latex and covered with leather. Such products not only reduce the load on the joints and heels. With their help, functional and anatomical shortening of the lower limbs is corrected within 8-12 millimeters.
However, it is worth remembering that in the case when pain in the spine and feet persists for more than seven days of using the product, you should consult an orthopedist. The doctor will individually select the heel pads necessary for the patient.
Ilizarov Method
In the 90s of the last century, orthopedic correction of the legs began to be actively introduced. This is a set of various surgical techniques aimed at correcting acquired and congenital deformities of the lower and upper limbs of the human body. This direction, which is also called anthropometric cosmetology, arose thanks to the developments of the orthopedic surgeon G. A. Ilizarov. Correction of the length of the legs, according to this direction, is performed using an external fixation device.
The technique received another name - compression-distraction osteosynthesis. It is based on the law that Ilizarov discovered and formulated. It says that the tension that occurs when bones are stretched, as well as the soft tissues surrounding them, stimulates the processes of bone tissue regeneration and growth.
Correction of the leg, produced by this method, is carried out by dissecting the bone. This procedure is called an osteotomy. If the correction of the leg is necessary in the thigh area, then the femur is subject to dissection. Sometimes surgeons need to lengthen the lower leg. In this case, the tibia and fibula are subject to dissection. The bone edges formed as a result of such manipulations are not completely connected. Between them there is a gap of 1 mm. At the same time, the leg is fixed with the help of rods and spokes fixed in half rings or rings of the Ilizarov apparatus. Further, the whole structure is constantly stretched. The distance between the bones gradually increases to 1 mm within one day. Thus, the correction of the leg occurs. It lengthens due to the stretching of the bones. This process is called "distraction".
Sometimes this lengthening of the legs is very painful. In such cases, the patient is prescribed analgesics. After a period of discomfort and paindecrease significantly.
Bliskunov Method
Sometimes a patient is operated on using a different method. This is the Bliskunov technique, which has a slightly different concept. According to this method, the apparatus by which the bone is stretched is implanted into the bone tissue. The whole further process in this case, as a rule, takes place at home. The fact is that surgeons leave a ratchet mechanism on the outside of the leg. It is not difficult to regulate it, which the patient does on his own.
Indications for surgery
The maximum result that can be obtained if the leg is corrected surgically is an increase in the lower limb by 16 cm. In this case, the size of the lower leg and thigh changes differently. The results of such an operation lengthen them by 6 and 10 cm, respectively. However, the specific indicator will depend on the individual characteristics of the patient and the method of surgical intervention.
The need for surgery is assessed based on medical and aesthetic indications, which include:
- disproportionality of the length of the lower limbs, taken in relation to the torso;
- the presence of acquired or congenital defects in the bone tissue of the legs that interfere with the normal movement of the patient;
- incorrect bone fusion after a fracture;
- different leg lengths;- a person's desire to become taller.
Post-operative period
The process of leg lengthening takes five to seven months. Only then can the installed device be removed. Next beginsthe period of fixation, which is necessary so that the deformation of the legs does not occur. At this time, the patient needs rest and a dosed amount of physical exercise to prevent muscle atrophy and joint dysfunction, which can occur in the absence of physical activity. This recovery period lasts four to six months.
When can a patient start exercising? Serious loads are only allowed 4 months after the end of the fixation period. But you can skate or roller skate, actively dance or jump only after a year.
Curvature of the lower limbs
The correct shape of the legs is when they, with their full convergence, touch at four points, namely:
- in the middle of the thigh;
- in the knees;
- in the middle of the lower leg;- in the heels.
Any deviation from this rule indicates that a person has crooked legs. At the same time, the nature of the curvature is:
- C-shaped, when only the heels touch;- X-shaped, when only the shins touch.
In addition, the curvature of the legs is false, due to improper muscle development, as well as true, caused by deformation of the bones of the lower extremities.
Non-surgical ways to fix defects
How to straighten crooked legs? In some cases, the patient may be helped by regular yoga classes or a set of exercises. Correctly selected clothes will also allow you to hide crooked legs.
Yoga classes allow you to tone your muscles, thoroughlystrengthening them. And a set of special exercises is designed to relax hard and strengthen soft tissue areas. The compression of special loads between them, for example, bricks, will also allow you to build the joints of the lower extremities.
Surgery
With surgical methods for correcting the curvature of the legs, the patient cannot avoid a long period of rehabilitation. This is due to the serious surgical intervention.
Patients are offered two types of surgery:
- plastic;- orthopedic using the Ilizarov apparatus.
The first of them involves plastic surgery of the legs. The main indication for it is true, false, X-shaped and C-shaped curvature. Krutoplasty is performed in case of a lack of muscle tissue in the lower leg area, caused either by previous diseases or hereditary factors.
A device for correcting Ilizarov's crooked legs, which is also used when aligning the lower extremities, eliminates false and true curvature.
Compression distraction apparatus allows you to fix bone fragments and put them in the correct position by stretching or compressing. With this method, the patient is allowed to get out of bed after two or three days, using crutches or a walker to walk.
To keep fingers small
The beauty of the human body is affected not only by the shape of the lower limbs. The aesthetic appearance of the legs is spoiled by too long fingers, as well as damaged nails. The thumbs of the lower ones also look ugly.limbs that have a broken shape. All this does not allow a person to choose comfortable and good shoes and causes pain and discomfort when walking.
In order to get rid of this problem, the correction of the toes is proposed. You can align them and reduce the length using surgical methods. The result of such an operation is a decrease in the length of the fingers by 1.5-2 cm. This procedure is simple and is performed on an outpatient basis. All manipulations are performed under local anesthesia. But sometimes, at the request of the patient, general anesthesia is used. The essence of this intervention is the removal of a small amount of bone tissue and excess skin. At the end of the operation, the surgeon installs a pin, which plays the role of a retainer that promotes proper healing of the phalanx.
The rehabilitation period after such an intervention lasts almost a month, during which the patient is recommended to wear special shoes. Also, an orthopedic surgeon will advise the most optimal motor mode.
To give beauty to the legs on the fingers, nails can also be corrected. This is a prosthetic technique using special acrylates and gels.
Correction of the nail begins with the removal of a cast from it. After that, an impression is made, with the help of which a prosthesis is cut out of a special transparent plastic. An artificial nail is placed on a previously treated damaged area.
