The foot is one of the main support links of the body. Its area is about 1% of the entire body surface. However, it is precisely on it that the main load is equal to the mass of the human body. The foot performs several functions: depreciation, support, balancing. Under the influence of certain factors, its arch undergoes deformation, a disease such as flat feet develops. As a result, the sole loses its shock-absorbing features, which is accompanied by unpleasant complications.
Flat feet - what is it?
The human foot is made up of 26 bones. They are interconnected by joints and ligaments, the movement of which is controlled by tendons and muscles. In a he althy person, the foot has 2 arches: transverse and longitudinal. They are located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe bases of the fingers and the inner edge of the sole. When walking, a person does not fully rely on the foot. Usually,three points are involved: the calcaneus, the area of \u200b\u200bthe base of the little finger and thumb. If the ligaments and muscles of the foot weaken, its shape begins to change. It gradually becomes flat. When walking, a person is forced to lean the sole on the surface. As a result, shock-absorbing properties worsen, flat feet develop. A photo of the deformity of the leg is presented in this article.
Vaults function as springs or levers, providing comfortable movement with minimal consequences for the body. Damage to this link entails a disruption of the entire system. The body, as you know, is a single whole. Any changes in the operation of one system necessarily affect the functioning of another. Flat feet can lead to damage to the hip and knee joints, deformation of the spine. If the foot does not cope with its functions, they move to the structures located above. The spine, knee and hip joints are not adapted to such a load, so they quickly fail.
Disease classification
The foot has two arches. Therefore, it is quite reasonable to distinguish the forms of the disease - longitudinal and transverse flat feet. The symptoms and treatment of each are discussed below. There is also a mixed (combined) version of the disease.
Classification of the disease by type also provides for the allocation of acquired and congenital flat feet. The first case is extremely rare and is the result of abnormal fetal development. Acquired flat feet may presentany age. It, in turn, is divided into several subspecies:
- static (occurs due to decreased muscle tone);
- rachitic (as a result of vitamin D deficiency in the body, the muscular apparatus is weakened);
- paralytic (develops against the background of polio);
- traumatic (appears as a result of injuries and fractures of bones).
Symptoms of flat feet
What signs should I pay attention to in time to prevent flat feet? Symptoms of this disease appear gradually. The very first sign of it is considered to be severe pain in the legs at the end of the working day. By evening, the soles and legs swell, cramps appear. It becomes difficult for women to walk in heels. Due to the increase in the foot, old shoes have to be discarded and new ones, but larger, have to be bought. Gradually, the pain syndrome spreads higher, passes to the knee and hip joints. Such signs characterize not only flat feet. Symptoms of a similar nature are observed with varicose veins. But the treatment for this disease is completely different.
To reassure yourself, you can conduct a simple test at home. To do this, grease the soles of the feet with a dye (for example, brilliant green or iodine). Then, on a sheet of paper, leave an imprint so that the load on the feet is even. After that, draw a line parallel to the plantar notch from the heel to the toes. Place a perpendicular in the deepest part to the outer edge of the foot. If the bottleneck imprintsoles occupies at least half of the first line drawn perpendicularly, you have flat feet. A photo of an example diagram is presented below.
Causes of the pathological process
Flat feet is a serious disease characterized by deformity of the foot. In ordinary life, no one pays attention to this defect. It is worth knowing the features of the disease in order to take timely measures to correct it. The causes of the disease can be both external and internal. Given the rhythm of life of a modern person and the neglect of one's own wardrobe, sometimes flat feet have a mixed etiology. Even everyone's favorite running shoes can cause foot deformity. Why? The outsole of the shoe has excellent cushioning. They take on the entire load, fixing the heel. As a result, the muscles relax, all conditions are created for the development of such a problem as flat feet. What is flat feet, how it occurs, is now clear.
Returning to the internal causes of the disease, it is worth noting a number of provoking factors. First of all, it is the presence of concomitant ailments. Among them, rheumatoid arthritis occupies a place of honor. It affects not only the cartilage, but also the ligaments that are responsible for supporting the foot. Injuries and mechanical damage to the foot also contribute to the development of a foot defect.
The impact of external factors is easy to prevent if you take care of your own he alth and carefully approach the choice of shoes. Among the exogenous causes of flat feet include the following:
- excessive exercise;
- lack of work-related activity;
- hormonal disorders, pregnancy;
- The wrong shoes.
Longitudinal flatfoot
In this form of the disease, there is an increase in the length of the foot against the background of lowering the longitudinal arch. As a result, the sole is in full contact with the floor. The main sign of deformation is the reduction of the gap between the inner edge of the foot and the floor surface itself. Patients with this diagnosis develop clubfoot over time.
There are three degrees of the longitudinal form of flat feet:
- At the first stage of the development of the disease, there is no visible deformity. Discomfort in the legs appears after prolonged exertion. When pressed, pain occurs.
- The second degree is characterized by a change in the arch of the foot. Painful discomfort increases and spreads to the ankles and legs. Muscles gradually lose their elasticity.
- The third degree of the disease is characterized by a pronounced deformity of the foot. Pain in the legs does not go away even in the evening. There is discomfort in the lower back, reduced ability to work. It is difficult for a person diagnosed with longitudinal flatfoot of the third degree to walk in ordinary shoes.
Transverse flatfoot
With this form of the disease, the length of the foot decreases, the big toe deviates, and the middle toe is deformed. It takes on a hammer-like appearance. At the base of the first toea small lump appears.
There are three degrees of transverse flatfoot. Their differences are due to the angle of deviation of the big toe.
- The first degree is a mild transverse flat foot. Symptoms of the disease appear as it progresses. The deviation of the thumb does not exceed 20 degrees. After physical exertion, painful discomfort appears. On the foot, corns are clearly visible in the area of 2-4 fingers.
- At the second degree, the deflection angle is already 35 degrees. Under load, there is a burning sensation in the area of the sole, corns increase in size.
- The third degree of the disease is characterized by constant pain. The deflection angle is greater than 35 degrees. Some patients develop bursitis. This is a disease accompanied by inflammation of the periarticular sac.
Mixed flat feet are considered separately. We have already considered what longitudinal and transverse flat feet are, and this pathology is accompanied by symptoms that are characteristic of both species. The manifestation of signs of a mixed form is distinguished by a greater degree of their severity.
What is the difference between flat feet in children?
The leg of a child under five years of age is a fragile structure that is in the process of formation. Therefore, parents have a great responsibility. They must prevent the disease, recognize it in time and start treatment.
Children rarely talk about he alth problems. If they andtry to hint, parents do not pay attention to them. Children lead an active lifestyle, are in constant motion, which is usually accompanied by fatigue. But there are certain points that parents should pay attention to:
- flattening of the arches of the feet;
- unevenly worn shoes;
- child's complaints about leg pain after outdoor games.
If the child's gait has changed, he began to move less, it is necessary to consult an orthopedic doctor. An experienced specialist can recognize flat feet at an early stage. Symptoms and treatment of this disease in children practically do not differ from those in adults. Its only feature is the reversibility of the pathological process. The gradual maturation of the child is accompanied by a natural disposal of the disease. The foot is formed up to 13 years. During this period, it is necessary to focus on physical activity (running, walking). As a result, the muscles will begin to develop harmoniously, and the foot will acquire the correct shape.
Medical examination
Flat feet in adults and children can be determined based on the clinical symptoms of the disease. To assess the degree of the pathological process, a serious examination of the patient is required. It includes several items. This is:
- Plantography allows you to determine the severity of the pathological process using prints. To do this, a solution of methylene blue is applied to the feet. Then make prints on a blank sheet of paper. Plantography provides indicativearch data.
- Friedland's podometry method allows you to estimate the percentage of the height of the foot to its length.
- The clinical method is based on the construction of a special triangle. Its base is equal to the distance from the metatarsal head to the heel tubercle. The vertex of the triangle is in the center. The first leg reaches the highest point of the calcaneal tuber, the second - to the head of the metatarsus. Normally, the height of the vault should not exceed 60 cm.
- The X-ray method is also based on the construction of a triangle, but in this case the angle at the apex is measured. This setting should not exceed 130 degrees.
Based on the results of the examination, the orthopedic doctor can confirm the diagnosis and make recommendations for treatment.
With flat feet they take to the army? This question worries many young men who have reached the age of majority. If a conscript is diagnosed with a deformity of the foot of 1 or 2 degrees, he is subject to service in the ranks of the armed forces. With longitudinal or transverse flat feet of the 3rd degree, the young man is released from the army. He is given a military ID marked "limited fit".
Principles of treatment
Many do not pay attention to flat feet, they ignore the first symptoms. In fact, this is a rather serious and rapidly developing pathology, which is practically not amenable to therapy. It can be completely cured only in childhood, when the foot has not yet been fully formed. In adults, therapy is aimed at slowing the development of the disease and preventing complications. Treatment of the pathological process is complex. Patientstrengthen muscles, eliminate pain, stop progressive longitudinal / transverse flat feet. Symptoms and treatment of these varieties of the disease are practically the same. Now let's take a closer look at modern methods of therapy.
Drugs in combination with physiotherapy help to eliminate pain. Patients are prescribed systemic analgesics (Ibuprofen, Aspirin), as well as topical ointments (Dolgit, Voltaren).
The basis of therapy is therapeutic exercises. A set of exercises is selected by an orthopedist, taking into account the stage of the disease and the age of the patient. A good therapeutic effect gives a foot massage. Regular procedures help to normalize blood circulation, increase muscle tone. Unfortunately, all of the above methods of treatment are effective only at the initial stage of the disease. With severe deformities of the foot, only one option helps - surgery.
The treatment of this disease in children requires a different approach. Most often, longitudinal flat feet are diagnosed in young patients (all parents should know that such deformation cannot be ignored). Pathology is perfectly treatable if it is detected in a timely manner. The bones, ligaments and muscles of the child are susceptible to conservative therapy. A positive therapeutic effect is given by exercise therapy and massage. If a child has congenital flat feet, they begin to treat him from the very first days of life. To do this, use special bandages and splints.
What is the danger of flat feet?
The human bodyworks as a whole. Between all organs there are not only anatomical, but also functional connections. With flat feet, a shift in the center of gravity occurs. To maintain balance, a person is forced to constantly deviate in the opposite direction. Over time, the deformation increases, and the back noticeably rounds. Violation of posture and flat feet have similar causes of development. This is a weakness of the connective tissue, muscles, as well as obesity. In a he althy person, the arch of the foot acts as a shock absorber. With flat feet, it is lost. As a result, the spinal column and knees have an increased load. This leads to even more severe curvature of posture, scoliosis.
Foot deformity can lead to other specific complications, including:
- ingrown nails;
- curvature of fingers;
- heel spurs;
- dystrophic changes in the legs;
- clubfoot.
Children with this diagnosis also have impaired cushioning of the foot. As a result, the vibration of the body during movement is transmitted to the legs and spine. Constant irritation of the joints leads to inflammation, arthrosis develops. The influence of flat feet on the spine is reflected in its curvature. The child is constantly tormented by pain in his legs and head, his ability to work and school performance are declining.
Prevention of disease in children and adults
To exclude the development of flat feet, it should be periodically prevented. First of all, doctors recommend paying attention to shoes. Today, almost everystore you can buy special orthopedic shoes and insoles. The range of similar children's products is striking in its diversity. Do not forget that shoes and insoles cannot correct foot deformity. They only prevent its development.
To strengthen the muscles, it is useful to do contrast baths. It is necessary to alternately dip your feet in basins of cold and hot water. In addition, regular intake of natural vitamins (A, E, C, D) and trace elements (such as copper, selenium, and calcium) contribute to muscle strengthening.
Prevention of flat feet in children can start with increased physical activity. Martial arts, skiing and horseback riding are considered useful. In summer, you can walk barefoot on mowed grass, pebbles. Such daily walks have a positive effect on the motor skills of the small muscles of the foot.
