Flat feet today is a fairly common pathology. Not only children and adolescents, but even adults have to deal with it. At the very beginning, the disease is not accompanied by significant degenerative changes. As it progresses, many unpleasant symptoms appear. They become more pronounced already with longitudinal flat feet of the 2nd degree. Do they take to the army with this diagnosis? This is the question that worries most patients. In today's article, we will try to answer it, and also talk about the main methods of treating the disease.
What is longitudinal flatfoot?
This is a degenerative disease characterized by pathological drooping of the longitudinal arch of the foot. As a result, its structure changes, depreciation properties deteriorate. Gradually, there is a redistribution of loads to other areas of the supporting apparatus, which are not adapted to them by nature.
The disease manifests itself as an external displacement of the calcaneal tendon. At the same time, the bone located in this area is turned inward. The foot lengthens, and its middle part expands. Occurring violations contribute to the occurrence of pathological changes in muscle tissue. The blood supply and venous outflow systems cease to function fully.
Degrees of longitudinal flatfoot
Longitudinal flatfoot is a chronic disease of the supporting apparatus. It develops gradually, but always under the influence of certain factors. There are 3 degrees of pathology:
- I degree. Degenerative changes are poorly expressed. By the evening, fatigue appears in the lower extremities, which is due to prolonged motor loads. Sometimes there is swelling of the feet. Gradually, the smoothness of the gait worsens. The height of the arch is 25-35 mm, while its angle corresponds to 131-141 degrees.
- II degree. The pathological process is characterized by a moderate degree of severity. Pain sensations become more frequent. They extend to the area of the foot, and also affect the shins. Muscles gradually lose their former elasticity. With longitudinal flat feet of the 2nd degree, the height of the arch of the sole is 24-17 mm, and the angle varies between 141-155 degrees.
- III degree. The deformity of the foot is markedly increased. Discomfort spreads to the lumbar region and becomes permanent. There are severe headaches. Movement is now accompanied by difficulties even for short distances. vault heightthe foot is less than 17 mm, and its angle exceeds 155 degrees.
Determining the severity of the pathological process plays an important role. Without this parameter, effective treatment cannot be prescribed.
Longitudinal flatfoot 2nd degree
The army does not take employees with such a diagnosis, but only in some cases. Why? We will talk about this below.
The initial stage of the pathological process for most patients goes unnoticed. The existing symptoms and visual signs of it are not sufficiently pronounced. Therefore, many write off pain in the legs as a consequence of ordinary fatigue. At the next stage, the clinical picture becomes more complicated, and the external deformity of the foot becomes more and more noticeable.
With flat feet of the 2nd degree, the omission of the arch of the sole can be seen with the naked eye. The pain syndrome increases every day, and the gait changes. The foot becomes more elongated. Shoes that used to fit in the past have to be thrown away and new ones purchased.
How serious is this form of the disease? If you ignore its symptoms and do not engage in treatment, the pathological process will continue to progress. The third degree is extremely difficult to tolerate and can provoke the occurrence of concomitant ailments. It is advisable to stop at the second stage of the disease. Knowing its causes and main manifestations, it is possible to prevent further development.
Main reasons
Flat feet can appear at any age. Causes are usually associatedwith the lifestyle of a person, his daily stresses and the shoes that he prefers to wear. The longitudinal arch of the foot is considered a rather complex system. It is easy to harm this part of the supporting apparatus.
Longitudinal flat feet of the 2nd degree most often develops as a result of excessive load on the arch of the sole. It may increase under the influence of the following factors:
- weight gain;
- Wrong or poor quality shoes.
One of the indirect causes of flat feet is the lack of physical activity. For example, in people with sedentary work, the arch of the foot and muscles gradually weaken. Therefore, the risk of developing the disease increases.
Clinical picture
Longitudinal flat feet of the 2nd degree is characterized by the appearance of severe pain in the legs. First, discomfort occurs in the arch of the sole, then moves to the heel or ankle. If at the initial stage of the disease the pain syndrome appears only after physical activity, then during the subsequent stages it is constantly present.
Also among the symptoms of the pathological process, doctors distinguish the following:
- feeling of heaviness in the legs and constant fatigue;
- calf cramps;
- appearance of clubfoot;
- changing gait.
In adolescents and children, longitudinal flat feet of the 2nd degree manifest themselves much more strongly. They may complain of pain in the back and lumbar region. Against the background of the disease, other pathologies sometimes develop. For example,arthrosis of the joints and osteochondrosis.
Diagnostic Methods
Most patients decide to seek medical attention when the disease is already progressing. A shoe that suddenly fit just a few months ago becomes uncomfortable.
Diagnosis of pathology always begins with the study of complaints and the overall clinical picture. Then they move on to instrumental methods of examination. The classic option is to carry out radiography, which is performed in two projections with a load. Additionally, podometry and podography are assigned. In the first case, the arch of the foot and its length are measured, and a number of related indicators are also determined. Podography is required to evaluate parameters related to sole biomechanics.
Based on the results of the examination, the doctor confirms or refutes the preliminary diagnosis, and also gives recommendations on how to fix the problem.
With longitudinal flat feet, 2 degrees are taken into the army?
Pathological drooping of the arch of the foot is a serious problem that requires constant monitoring. Sometimes you even have to limit the load on sore legs. Do they take this disease into the army? It is not possible to answer this question unambiguously.
In the case of mild forms of violation, the man is subject to service. Even bilateral longitudinal flat feet 2 degrees and the army are compatible. On the other hand, in the presence of concomitant diseases, a young person mayrefuse service. A conscript with flat feet of the 2nd degree and severe arthrosis is considered unfit. At the same time, the comorbidity should also progress.
Help at home
It is possible to completely return the foot to a he althy position only in childhood, when the foot is still developing. In this case, the treatment of longitudinal flat feet of the 2nd degree is limited to wearing special orthopedic shoes and a course of exercise therapy. Such measures do not allow the disease to progress, and the muscles of the foot are kept in good shape.
In adulthood, it is not possible to completely get rid of the disease. However, with the help of therapy, it is possible to stop its development and minimize the activity of symptoms. In adult patients, treatment consists of the following activities:
- Using orthopedic insoles. With longitudinal flat feet of the 2nd degree, special shoes are no longer required. When choosing insoles, you need to pay attention to the arch support and the roller in the area of the front arch of the sole.
- If you are overweight or have other he alth problems, you need to address them.
After confirmation of flat feet, it is necessary to constantly be observed by an orthopedist, to adjust the prescribed therapy. Physiotherapy and massage are not mandatory for such a diagnosis. They are sometimes recommended for the fastest results.
Therapeutic exercise
At home, you can do gymnastics. It is recommended specifically for bilaterallongitudinal flat feet 2 degrees. The medical complex should be selected by a doctor. The first exercises are best done under his supervision, and then you can move on to home practice.
For children, the standard course of exercise therapy includes jumps and bounces, walking on toes. For adults, such exercises are ineffective. It is useful for them to grab objects from the floor surface with their toes, roll balls of different diameters.
The basic rule is that such gymnastics should be regular. During the day, the exercises should be repeated several times. This treatment of grade 2 longitudinal flatfoot will be even more effective if combined with other methods.
Do I need surgery?
Surgery is not required in case of a grade 2 foot deformity. His help is resorted to at the next stage of the development of the pathological process, when conservative treatment does not work. There are many types of operations. The choice of a specific procedure is up to the doctor.
Surgical intervention is also recommended if the longitudinal flat feet of both feet of the 2nd degree has led to degenerative changes in the spine. However, such cases are extremely rare, especially if the patient has started therapy in a timely manner.
Prevention Methods
Flat feet is a serious disease that needs to be treated promptly. Sometimes it is not limited to conservative treatment and requires surgical intervention. To avoid such problems,you need to deal with the prevention of the disease.
Doctors offer the following recommendations:
- Stay barefoot on sand or pebbles on a regular basis.
- Pick up comfortable shoes with stable heels, made of quality materials.
- With a sedentary lifestyle, a few hours a week should be devoted to sports.
When the initial symptoms of pathology appear, you should immediately contact an orthopedist. Timely diagnosis and high-quality therapy are the key to a favorable prognosis.
