Valgus deformation of the foot in children occurs quite often in orthopedic practice-there are 100 healthy children with varying degrees of flat feet per 100 healthy.This diagnosis should not be scared, you need to understand the problem and begin to solve it under the guidance of an experienced specialist.In most cases, the curvature of the feet is treated at home using exercise therapy, massage and other auxiliary methods, and only in an advanced stage is surgical intervention required.
What is valgus and flat deformation?
The valgus foot is a change in the axes of the lower extremities, in which the foot floods inside, and the heel region and fingers are protruded outward.With timely diagnosis and the implementation of all the recommendations of the doctor, the defect is adjusted and the correct set of foot is formed.The lack of treatment leads to a flat-valgus deformation of the foot and a lifelong change in the operation of the musculoskeletal system.
Signs and symptoms of valgus deformation in a child
The deformation of the foot in children is diagnosed by 1-1.5 years, when the baby begins to walk on his own.In case of congenital pathology, the orthopedist will notice the deviation from the norm at 2-3 months of life of the baby.
Parents can recognize the beginning of the disease themselves, noting that the child incorrectly steps on the leg, shifting the center of gravity inside.The gait can be clumsy, kosolapih, pronounced flat feet are observed.If you put the child directly and bring your knees together, a distance of 4-5 centimeters is formed between the feet.With the development of deformation on both sides, the legs acquire the outlines of the letter "X".There is a comparison of this pathology with “kissing knees” (see the photo).
Incorrect load distribution leads to the rapid fatigue of the child, often he prefers passive games, avoids physical activity.Older children often complain about the pain in the lower leg, joints and spine, by the evening the swelling of the feet may appear.Gradually, the fingers and heels are deformed and deviate out, the skin on the feet thickens, corns appear.The shoes in a child with such a deformation of the foot are torn unevenly - the inside of the sole is erased faster.
Anatomical and functional flat feet and their causes
All newborns have anatomical flat feet, since the muscles, ligaments and tendons are constantly relaxed.When the child begins to get up and tries to walk, the ligamentous apparatus is strengthened, and the correct arch of the foot is formed.If this does not happen, orthopedists talk about the development of functional flat feet.
The reasons for the development of flat feet in young children:
- The consequences of a lack of calcium and other trace elements during pregnancy.A woman needs to follow all the doctor’s recommendations, adhere to a healthy lifestyle and eat right.
- Genetic factor.Pathology can be inherited, so if flat feet are present in parents, due attention should be paid to the prevention of foot deformation in the child.
- Transferred rickets.One of the causes of the pathological formation of the foot is the lack of vitamin D. The bones are softened, the musculoskeletal system is curved, and the set of the foot is flattened.
- Early setting on the legs.Although the baby may like to rely on the legs, do not let him do this earlier than 7-8 months.
- Incorrectly selected shoes are too free or cramped, on flat soles.Do not buy shoes for the child “for growth” (the supply is allowed to be a maximum of one size), since the foot will be in a free position.Walking barefoot on a flat surface (house on the floor).
- The following diseases can provoke Squamous the installation of the feet: cerebral palsy, polio, obesity, congenital dislocation of the thigh.Various foot injuries, long -term stay in gypsum.
The degree of development of pathology
There are four degrees of development of Squamous tond curiosity:
- The first degree - the baby turns the feet no more than 15 degrees.This is the initial stage of deformation, with a serious approach to the treatment of Valgus, it can be well corrected, and the foot is completely straightened.
- The second stage is characterized by a deviation of the foot of 15-20 degrees.For treatment, you will need a little more time and effort.
- With the third degree, the deviation is 20-30 degrees.Prolonged treatment is required (the use of orthopedic shoes, massage, exercise therapy, physiotherapy).
- The fourth is the most difficult, curvature of the feet of more than 30 degrees.In the absence of the effect of complex treatment, surgical correction of the lower extremities is carried out.
Methods of treatment
To achieve a persistent positive result, you should pay due attention to treatment.It should be complex and long, after the appearance of the first results, in no case should you stop treating the baby.The normal gait and health of the child depends on the efforts and perseverance of parents.Below are the main types of correction of valgus deformation of the lower extremities.
Drug therapy
Medical drugs for X-shaped curvature of the lower extremities are used to relieve inflammation and painkille of the joints, but it is impossible to get rid of the disease only with the help of drug therapy.Usually a specialist prescribes intra -articular administration of drugs.
Orthopedic treatment with the use of devices and the choice of shoes for children
As prescribed by a doctor, to treat the curvature of the feet, it is possible to use special orthopedic devices - various fixators, bandages and tires.A prerequisite for achieving a persistent positive result is wearing orthopedic shoes.
When choosing such shoes, you need to pay attention to the following points:
- Shoes should be made of natural, breathing materials;
- The child should feel comfortable in her, should not crush or rub it anywhere;
- It is necessary to have a hard, high ass so that the ankle joint and heel are recorded in the correct position;
- the presence of fasteners that regulate shoes in the width of the foot;
- The presence of a small, wide heel, ideally-“Thomas's heel” (on the inside of the foot it is slightly longer than from the outer).
Medical physical education and exercises for daily execution at home
Exercises must be performed daily, here are some of them:
- alternating walking on socks and walking on the heels (first with raised, then pursed toes) for 5 minutes;
- Sitting on the floor with outstretched legs to squeeze and unclench the toes;
- You can offer the child to try to raise various small objects from the floor;
- walking on an uneven surface, for example, can be brought home with river pebbles or purchase a massage rug;
- walking on the outer edge of the foot;
- Knowing a wooden roller or a small ball;
- rotation by the feet from left to right and vice versa.
Massage and physiotherapy
Massage is performed at home, courses for 2-3 weeks, then a break.This will help strengthen the muscles and relieve them of stress, special skills are not required for this.The total massage time is 20-30 minutes.You should start with a general massage - the child in a lying on the stomach, the hands are extended along the body, the head is turned on the side.Hand movements should not cause pain to the baby:
- It is easy to stroke the palms along the back, gradually increasing pressing;
- pat the witches with the edge of the palm, slightly pinch;
- sort out the folds of the skin in the direction of the lower back to the shoulders;
- finish the back massage by stroking;
- stroking the legs from the heels to the buttocks and back, it is easy to pinch;
- Mark the legs and femoral muscles;
- Finish stroking your legs.
- rub the feet with the edge of the palm, gradually increasing pressing;
- the thumb of the hand “draw” the number 7 on the sole;
- With one hand, hold the leg by the heel, the second - rub the ankle joint;
- It is easy to pull the leg by the fingers “on yourself”.
If necessary, the doctor can prescribe physiotherapy, for example: magnetotherapy, acupuncture, electrophoresis, paraffin wraps.This will improve the metabolism in the problem area and will help to achieve complete absorption of drugs.
Surgical intervention
In exceptional cases, when complex therapy does not give a result, parents are invited to solve the problem surgically.Modern methods used in surgery allow you to do without metal structures and wearing gypsum.The doctor corrects the direction of the ligaments and levels the angle of location of the feet.After correction, the recovery period and the obligatory wearing of orthopedic shoes follows.
Is it possible to completely cure deformation?
With a timely appeal to a specialist and a serious approach to treatment, it is quite possible to straighten Squamous.At the same time, treatment should be started up to the age of two, then to school you can completely get rid of the curvature of the feet.In children over 2 years old and with advanced deformation of the lower extremities, it is quite difficult to cure the ailment to the end, but you can much improve the situation.
What can be the consequences if you do not treat curvature?
Squamous feet in children will not be corrected by themselves, so the symptoms of pathology cannot be ignored.Such a deviation of the feet leads to a change in the entire musculoskeletal system.Due to the unevenly distributed load, there are problems with the knee and COXOFEMOral joints, as well as with the spine.In the child, not only the gait spoils, but also becoming impossible physical activity (running, active games), because this causes pain and inflammation in the joints.
- Starting from the newborn period, it is necessary to observe the development of the baby’s legs, inspect them for injuries, do easy massage and gymnastics.Timely to undergo preventive examinations at the orthopedist, and in its absence - at the surgeon.
- You should not put the baby too early on the legs - for fragile muscles of the legs and joints, this is a huge load.When he feels the strength, he will try to get up, adhering to the support.For the same reason, the use of walkers and jumpers is undesirable, at least up to eight months.
- Particular attention should be paid to the gait - it should be correct and correspond to age.At the slightest doubt, you should consult a specialist.
- Children's shoes should be of high quality, with a small heel and orthopedic insole (we recommend reading: insoles for children with flat feet).From seven months, when the child begins to stand on his legs, it is recommended to wear light sandals with a hard back, so the foot will be fixed in the correct position, the load on the muscles and joints will be distributed evenly.If there is a deformation of the stop 1-2 degrees, it is advisable to purchase orthopedic shoes in specialized stores and pharmacies.
- Prevention of rickets.The child should spend enough time on the street, since vitamin D is formed in the skin under the influence of sunlight.For prevention, you can give the child vitamin D in a dosage prescribed by a doctor.It is necessary to provide full, balanced diet.
- In summer, it is useful to give the child to run barefoot, small pebbles have a massage effect.At home, use a massage rug with various irregularities daily for several minutes.
- Exercise strengthen the musculoskeletal system and prevents the development of flat feet.If possible, you can record a child for swimming or in the sports section (we recommend reading: how is swimming for newborns in the bathroom or pool?).
