Most diseases and he alth problems begin in our early childhood. However, not all parents notice them in a timely manner and seek help. The main reason for this, as a rule, is not the removal and complete indifference of adults, but elementary ignorance and lack of relevant information about certain diseases. One of these problems, which is difficult to recognize for an unprepared person, is the varus foot. What it is? How to determine and how to treat an ailment, we will tell in this article.
General information about foot varus
How bad. the disease appears in childhood, when the baby is just starting to take his first steps. During this period, his foot is the most vulnerable, since the process of its formation has not yet been fully completed. What does this type of deformation look like? According to experts, it vaguely resembles clubfoot, but, unlike it, is much less often caused by an actively progressing congenital pathology.
Varus deformity of the foot involves a visually visible deviation of the middle part of the lower leg outward. In this case, uneven development of the knee joints occurs, due to whichthe so-called O-shaped curvature occurs. In its presence, the knee joints cannot close with each other (this is especially visible when both legs of the child are standing together), and there is a certain space between them.
What types of foot varus are there?
Depending on the initial causes of the disease, varus deformity can be of the following types:
- static (occurs due to an existing violation in the patient's posture);
- structural (occurs against the background of the vertical location of the talus);
- compensatory (occurs in the presence of a shortened Achilles tendon, incorrect position of the ankle joint and deformity of the tibia);
- paralytic (after a patient has had polio or encephalitis);
- spastic (is a concomitant disease with muscle spasms in the fibula);
- hypercorrectional (formed in case of improper treatment of an already existing clubfoot in a baby);
- rachitic (occurs when a child has rickets);
- traumatic (develops as a consequence after a torn ligament, fracture of the bones of the legs, hips, knee joints, lower leg).
What are the severity of the disease?
Depending on the severity of the varus foot, there are the following types:
- easy;
- medium;
- heavy.
with mild severity, the angle of inclination at the heel of the baby is small(15º), the height of the longitudinal arch is approximately 15-20 mm (and its height reaches 140º). In this case, the visible angle of curvature at the foot corresponds to 10º. With moderate severity, the varus foot in adults and children is deformed by another 5º, and the height of the arch and inclination of the heel, on the contrary, is reduced by 5 degrees and millimeters (10 mm and 10º). Moreover, the arch angle increases to 150-160º.
In severe cases, the height of the arch and the angle of the heel are reduced by half, and the angle of the arch increases to 160-180º. Consequently, the valgus deviation increases to 20º. With this degree of severity, the patient complains of severe pain in the Chopard joint (transverse joint at the tarsus). In addition, according to doctors, the last stage of the disease does not involve conservative treatment, the violation is eliminated exclusively by surgery.
What are the consequences?
If the varus foot is not detected in time, it can lead to the most unpredictable consequences. In particular, in advanced cases, the deformity of the leg entails an outward displacement of the thigh. In this case, there is an even greater inward curvature of the foot, which leads to the development of clubfoot.
In addition, a neglected varus foot in a child may be accompanied by other problems with the knees. This is due to the fact that with this ailment, they cannot fully straighten up, which increases the pressure on the meniscus. As a result, the joint space increases both from the inside and from the outside.
If the aforementioned deformity is not treated in time, children with a varus foot not only change their gaitand regularly swollen legs, but more serious problems with the spine develop.
What are the reasons for the development of the disease?
In a child, varus deformity of the feet usually does not occur suddenly. According to experts, this is a consequence of a whole complex of other causes or the result of another disease. For example, a violation of the natural position of the lower leg occurs due to a progressive disease of the skeletal system. At a later age, the disease develops due to a deficiency of vitamin D or calcium.
In addition, the following factors may become prerequisites for the development of the disease:
- immunity weakening;
- problems with metabolic processes in the body;
- not detected in time rickets and flat feet;
- problems with the thyroid gland and failures in the endocrine system;
- early foot injuries;
- overweight;
- genetic predisposition;
- problems with the skeletal system and joints;
- regular use of uncomfortable children's shoes.
As you can see, there are many reasons that can lead to deformation. But how is a varus foot diagnosed (you see a photo of children with such a pathology in our article) in a child? And how difficult is it to recognize this deviation?
How to determine the appearance of an ailment?
It is extremely difficult to see deviations at the initial stage of the development of the disease. This is due to the fact that the disease does not appear immediately. Only after a while the baby's legs begin to acquire the shape of the letter "O" already known to us. Ifthe child's lower leg moves inward over time, then a slightly different deformation of the feet occurs. At this point, the baby's limbs arch in the opposite direction and begin to resemble the letter "X".
However, you can still recognize the problem. According to doctors, parents should pay attention to the baby's shoes. If a child has a varus foot, then his sandals and shoes, as a rule, are trampled on the outside. Moreover, this phenomenon can be observed either on one or both sides at once (that is, on both the left and right shoe).
How to recognize equinovarus deformity?
Another type of physical deviation of the foot is equinovarus deformity, which is also called the "horse foot". In its presence, children are not able to step on the entire foot, but only on its front part. During walking, such babies experience a strong flexion of the ankle joint, which from the outside looks like the child is trying to stand on his toes. How to treat such an unpleasant disease?
Varus feet in adults: features
As noted earlier, pathology occurs mainly in childhood. However, if it is not recognized and treated in time, then the disease will definitely remind of itself later. Moreover, relapse in adolescents is accompanied by vivid pain sensations.
In middle-aged people, the pain can be throbbing, and the disease itself can progress after excessive physical activity, during pregnancy (in the last stages), during menopause, due to a sharp setin weight, etc.
In persons of retirement age, pathology is accompanied by functional disorders and acute or muffled pain when walking.
Varus feet: treatment
According to experts, the treatment of varus feet is a complex and lengthy process. It provides a comprehensive approach that includes a combination of special physical exercises, therapy, massage and other measures aimed at improving the child.
The process of treating children suffering from such abnormalities is as follows: the parents of a baby with a suspected varus defect turn to orthopedic doctors; after the diagnosis, the patient is prescribed a sparing conservative treatment. For example, a set of measures to combat the disease includes the following actions:
- massage for the varus foot (performed on the feet, legs, affecting the gluteal-sacral and lumbar regions);
- physical exercises aimed at strengthening and correcting leg muscles;
- physiotherapy treatments;
- use of special correctors, orthopedic insoles and instep supports;
- use of special orthopedic shoes.
Most often, such an integrated approach bears fruit, and the child becomes absolutely he althy. But what to do if the expected result has not been achieved?
If physiotherapy methods didn't work
It is believed that it is possible to talk about the benefits of therapy only when the baby is 5-7 years old. During this period, the ligaments and muscles of the child will be so strengthened that they can easily hold his foot in the correct position.
When the previously prescribed conservative treatment did not bring positive results, doctors begin to act more actively, and their next step will be surgery. At the same time, the operated varus foot in the future needs a certain rehabilitation, which can take only a few days. It provides for a course of massage aimed at the final consolidation of the medical effect.
How to identify and prevent illness in a timely manner?
In order to see the problem in a timely manner and prevent its further development, you should visit an orthopedist at least once a year. For preventive purposes, it is necessary to use only those shoes that have orthopedic insoles or arch support. You can find out the angle of inclination of the foot, as well as determine the degree of deviation, using plantography (determines the type and presence of flat feet) and podometry (allows you to find out about the real load on the foot that occurs when walking). In addition, specialists can see foot problems on an x-ray.
It is also recommended to strengthen the child's immunity from childhood, accustoming him to proper nutrition, moderate physical activity (in accordance with age) and observing the daily routine. In addition, you need to pay attention to the correct position of the feet while walking.
In a word, despite the complexity of the definition of the disease, it is still possiblerecognize. And with a timely visit to the doctor, unpleasant consequences and complications of the disease can be avoided.
