The problem of curvature of the legs occurs in people quite often. However, it worries the weak half of humanity most of all. Of course, any woman strives to look more attractive and better. However, sometimes this is hindered by the deformation of the knee joints, which the lady received from nature. After all, it is this structural feature of the lower extremities that has a dominant type of inheritance.
This problem causes not only aesthetic discomfort. After all, this is a serious pathology that contributes to the incorrect distribution of body weight on the legs. And this further threatens the emergence of a number of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. That is why the sooner such patients decide to correct the curvature of the legs, the lower the likelihood of a serious pathology in the future will be for them.
Types of lower limb deformities
In medicine, the curvature of the legs is determined in a standing position, when the legs are shoulder-width apart, andhands lie at the seams. In this case, three types of such pathology are distinguished. Among them:
1. Varus deformity. It is characterized by the contact of the feet. The legs of a person in this position are similar to the letter "O". There is no point of contact of the lower extremities in the knees. This type of deformation is called somewhat differently. This is the O-shaped curvature of the legs.
2. Valgus deformity. In the same standing position, a person's shins may resemble the letter "X". This is another curvature of the legs. It is considered X-shaped. With it, you can close the shins, but it is impossible to do this with the feet.
3. False deformation. It is a visually erroneous representation of the curvature of the legs. In such cases, the human bone apparatus is normal. However, there is an incorrect distribution of the muscular-fat membrane. This fact is the main one, visually giving the effect of curvature. With a false deformation, the feet and knees close, but it is very difficult to bring the calves to contact. Without the presence of pathology, the shin part of the legs has some outward deviation relative to the mentally drawn vertical line. For men, this value is about five degrees, and for women - up to ten.
X-shaped deformity of the legs is considered the most dangerous. It is most clearly reflected in the gait of a person. This creates the impression that the patient shakes his hips strongly. With a greater degree of deformity, the effect of the buttocks jumping up when they rest on the leg occurs.
When O-shaped curvature occurs reverse rotation of the foot. This creates some patient instability duringmovement and provokes one-sided rubbing of the sole of the shoe. The danger of this form of deformation lies in the rapidly progressing flat feet.
Causes of curvature of the legs
In most cases, the deformity of the lower extremities is caused by hereditary factors. The following are causes that arose even in childhood. This is a lack of nutrients the body needs for the proper formation of the skeleton, as well as injuries.
Today, one of the reasons for the deformity of the lower extremities, some call too long use of diapers. This should be kept in mind by new mothers. In addition, the causes of acquired deformity of the lower extremities may lie in the presence of a child:
- severe forms of rickets;
- osteomyelitis and other forms of bone pathology;
- metabolic disorders, especially trace elements such as potassium, magnesium and calcium;- endocrine pathologies.
In adolescence, bone deformity can manifest itself with a deficiency in the body of vitamin D and calcium, as well as with insufficient exposure to fresh air.
In adolescence and later in adulthood, the appearance of leg curvature is influenced by factors such as overweight and weakness of the tendon-muscular ligaments of the knee joint and limbs.
Indications for surgery
Surgery to correct the curvature of the legs is performed only with a certain shape of the lower extremities. The need for surgical intervention arises with carefulstudying the contours of the muscle-fat structure of the limbs, their biomechanical axes, as well as the ratio of the lines of the lower leg and thigh. In the language of the layman, doctors determine the harmony of the legs.
The main indicator for assessing the curvature of the legs is their biomechanical axis. It is a straight line mentally drawn through the points of the head of the femur, the middle of the patella and the center of the ankle. The difference between the anatomical and the resulting axis indicates the degree of curvature of the legs. Based on this indicator, doctors decide on the possibility of surgical intervention.
A special case is the false curvature of the lower extremities. It does not provoke pathological processes in the legs and gives a person inconvenience only in aesthetic terms. In such cases, the patient is advised to perform special exercises to correct the false curvature of the legs. This is a fairly simple and effective way to eliminate visual pathology. In some cases, silicone pads are used to carry out a similar correction of the curvature of the legs.
Using the Ilizarov apparatus
Today, the most effective way to correct the lower extremities is surgery to correct the curvature of the legs, during which the tibia is deliberately broken in several places. Next, the resulting fragments are compiled. With their successful fusion, the correct biomechanical axis is obtained.
Of course, correcting the curvature of the legs in this way can shock any person. That is why medicineuses a number of techniques in his practice. They are designed to prove to the patient the painlessness and effectiveness of such an intervention, which is aimed at correcting the curvature of the legs. The clinic to which a person applies offers him special computer programs for viewing, demonstrating the prospect of correction in a particular patient. Information about patients who have already undergone such an operation is also indicated here.
The Ilizarov apparatus is most often used in cases where it is necessary to correct the O-shaped curvature of the legs, as well as deformities of the "X" type. This unique device guarantees a 100% effect.
It is important to remember that correcting the curvature of the legs is a personal matter. Each patient is given time to consider the importance of the future cosmetic effect before undergoing such procedures. An exception can only be cases of a high degree of deformity of the lower extremities, which prevent a person from moving and threaten with serious diseases of the musculoskeletal system in the future.
Artificial fracture or suppression of the bone, which is further accompanied by fixation of fragments, is called osteotomy. After such an operation, the Ilizarov apparatus is used. With its help, fragments of the bone are fused. This process is done by the external method.
The level of modern orthopedics allows the use of a wide range of programs that control such bone correction.
The very next dayafter the installation of the Ilizarov apparatus, patients are able to move independently. Direct correction of the curvature of the legs begins on the tenth day. This happens with the help of a certain tightening of the screws of the device, which is strictly controlled by a computer program.
Cruroplasty
False leg curvature can be corrected with this modern correction method. With vagal and valgus deformity, this method is considered inappropriate.
The essence of cruroplasty is that with this method, special artificial implants are inserted into the subcutaneous tissue of the lower extremities. They are placed in the femoral region of the legs.
The cruroplasty method guarantees an aesthetically correct shape in this part of the limbs.
Lipofilling
This method is similar in its indications to the previous one. However, with this method, the false curvature of the legs is corrected using parts of the patient's fatty tissue, which are taken from other places. This allows you to level the defective areas. Most often, fat is taken from the patient's buttocks.
Lipofilling is a less traumatic method that is most suitable for people in terms of tissue survival.
With the help of such operations, a cosmetic effect is provided. There are no medical indications for their use. Lipofilling and cruroplasty can only be performed at the request of the patient.
Selection of clothes
Many are interested in this question: "Is it possible to correct the curvature of the legs without surgery?". Yes. Legs can become slender without the participation of a surgeon. The easiest and fastest way to solve this problem is to visually correct the curvature of the legs. Reviews of many ladies recommend choosing the right clothes, for example:
1. Real miracles are created by mini-skirts, which are combined with over the knee boots, as well as tights, decorated with a large pattern.
2. Straight-cut trousers and jeans will help to hide figure defects.3. Visually increase the curvature of the legs of the skirt to the knee and breeches. That's why you shouldn't wear them.
Special exercises
What other non-surgical methods are there to eliminate defects in the lower extremities? Many have been helped by exercises to correct the curvature of the legs. However, it is worth remembering that special training complexes help only with false defects. The legs are corrected by increasing the volume of muscle mass.
So, the following exercises can increase the size of the calves:
1. Toe raise with or without weight.
2. Alternately moving the legs back in a standing position.
3. Straight leg raise while lying on your side.
4. Foot press produced on a special machine.
5. Strong compression of the legs between themselves in a standing position.
6. Squats performed both with feet shoulder-width apart and connected together.7. Running up the stairs. During this exercise, the legs should be raised with each step on the toes.
When doing exercises to correct the curvature of the lower extremities, one should take into account the fact that the calves are the muscles that are least responsive to training. That is why an increase in the volume of the legs with the help of exercises can only occur within one or two centimeters.
Yoga
This technique is used to strengthen weak leg muscles and bring them into tone. Most often, the curvature of the lower extremities is eliminated by a special set of exercises that relax hard tissue areas and strengthen soft ones.
When conducting yoga sessions, it is recommended to tighten the legs with straps or draw them out with the help of special weights. A fairly effective exercise is the compression of the lower limbs of the bricks. This has a beneficial effect on the general condition of the legs and their muscles.
It is possible to get rid of defects of the lower extremities within 2-3 months. You only need to conduct regular classes at least three to four times a week.
Special overlays
What to do for those people who have defects in the lower extremities, but they do not dare to have surgery and cannot find time to perform special exercises? In this case, pads to correct the curvature of the legs can help them. But it should be borne in mind that their main task is only to visually hide an existing cosmetic defect.
The domestic market of medical products offers silicone pads, which have the following characteristics:
- patented, that isare produced according to existing technology and under industrial conditions;
- made of natural silicone, which is not capable of causing irritation or allergy to human skin, does not emit any toxic substances and is completely safe for he alth;
- have sticky properties and therefore, they are well attached to the leg and do not slip off it;
- they can be easily washed, if necessary, both with ordinary household products and special ones that do not contain chemically active elements;
- in conditions of intensive use they are able to serve from five to seven years;- have a dimension, that is, they have a different thickness depending on the dimensions of the legs and shins, as well as the degree of their curvature.
There is an opinion that a woman can wear such devices only under trousers. However, it is not. Silicone pads can be used with dresses and short skirts. Of course, there must be tights on the legs. Silicone has the ability to take on the shade of the skin, making it invisible.
In the case when the lower limbs are bent in the form of the letter "O", it is recommended to wear pads with maximum thickness. If the leg defect is type X, then the patient will need fine adjustments.
If you have difficulty choosing silicone pads, it is advisable to consult your doctor.
