With curvature of the feet, doctors prescribe plantography. What it is? This is a diagnostic method that allows you to determine flat feet and other deformations of the sole. This method is simple, informative, and at the same time absolutely harmless. With its help it is possible not only to diagnose bone curvature, but also to choose suitable special shoes or orthopedic insoles for the patient, and also to prescribe a set of exercise therapy exercises.
Types of plantography
The study of the footprint (footprint) of the feet is called plantography. What it is? The name of the method comes from the Latin words planta (sole of the foot) and graphio (figure). Diagnosis is carried out by two methods: classical and computer. In the first case, the patient's feet are covered with coloring liquids, and he leaves a mark on the paper. An orthopedic surgeon then visually evaluates the print. With computer plantography, the study of the foot is carried out automatically using a special program.
With all types of this diagnosis, the patient does not need special training. It is enough just to clean the feet before the examination.
Conventional plantography
Conventional plantography is currently less common than computer. This type of research is considered obsolete. However, in some cases, orthopedic surgeons prescribe diagnostics in the classical way, using a visual assessment of the footprint.
There are several plantography techniques:
- The patient's feet are treated with paint. Then the patient stands on a blank sheet of paper. The doctor studies and analyzes the resulting fingerprint.
- The footprint is obtained using a plantograph. This device is a frame with a stretched painted canvas, over which a polyethylene film is stretched. The patient stands on the film layer, and a footprint is obtained. Paint from the canvas stains polyethylene. In this way, plantography is usually carried out during the medical examination of children.
Computer diagnostics
Computer foot plantography does not require the use of coloring solutions. Moreover, the results are most reliable.
The patient stands barefoot on the scanning device. In this case, you should evenly distribute the weight on both limbs. If you want to get an image in different planes, then an additional study is carried out in a sitting position. A special computer program analyzes and processes the received information. Then, based on these data, the doctor issues an opinion.
Indications for diagnosis
In medical practice, there are the following indications for plantography:
- The examination is prescribed during routine medical examinations of adults and children in order to detect foot deformities.
- Diagnosis is shown to draftees, as well as athletes to assess the condition of the feet.
- Plantography is performed to study the health of the legs with existing diseases of the musculoskeletal system and endocrine system (cerebral palsy, curvature of the spine, hormonal disorders, after fractures of the lower extremities, suspicion of flat feet).
- If the patient suffers from flat feet, then the study is prescribed to identify the type and degree of deformation, as well as to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.
Are there any contraindications
Plantography has virtually no contraindications. The study is not prescribed only to children under 3 years of age. This is due to the fact that all babies up to the age of three have physiological flat feet, which does not require plantography. What it is? On the feet of a small child there is a special pad of adipose tissue, which plays the role of a shock absorber. This is considered the norm. It makes no sense to look for symptoms of flat feet and diagnose children under 3 years old. In all other cases, plantography is not contraindicated to either an adult or a child.
Plantography is always used as part of a comprehensive diagnosis. To identify curvature of the foot, an examination by an orthopedist and other research methods are necessary.
Deciphering the results
After the analysis, the patient receives a decryption of the results of plantography. What it is? The patient is given a form where the following indicators of the condition of the foot are indicated:
- The ratio of the forefoot. This number indicates the position of the front of the sole relative to the back. Normally, this indicator is from 0.92 to 1.08. A sign of flat feet is considered a deviation both to a smaller and a larger side.
- The angle of Shoparov’s joint. This indicator indicates the presence of curvature of the big toe (hallux valgus) or violation of the position of the foot relative to the lower leg (varus deformity). If pathology is absent, then the angle is from 170 to 180 degrees.
- The coefficient of longitudinal flat feet. The norm of this indicator is from 0.51 to 1. Deviation indicates longitudinal flattening of the sole.
- The coefficient of flatness. The norm is from 0.25 to 0.35. With a larger indicator, we can talk about transverse flat feet.
Advanced plantography options
If plantography is carried out by a computer method, then you can not only diagnose flat feet, but also reveal other features of the development of the musculoskeletal system. The results of the study also show the distribution of load on different sections of the sole of the foot, the condition of the spinal column and the supporting ability of the legs.
These additional indicators are necessary for the proper selection of shoes and insoles. In many orthopedic salons, plantography data is taken into account in the manufacture of products.
Other research methods
Plantography is not the only method for determining flat feet. If you suspect a deformation of the foot, this diagnostic method is used in a comprehensive study of the patient.
The Friedland technique is one of the diagnostic methods that complements plantography. What it is? The study consists in measuring the height and length of the foot and calculating the podometric index. To do this, multiply the height by 100 and divide by the length. Normally, the resulting number can be from 29 to 31.
If you suspect flat feet, you must definitely take an x-ray. However, this method is associated with irradiation, it can not be used as often as plantography. Radiography is an informative diagnostic method. With its help, it is possible to identify not only flat feet, hallux valgus and varus deformities, but also other bone pathologies, for example, arthrosis. The picture must be taken in a standing position to create physical activity on the soles of the lower extremities.
In more rare cases, MRI and CT stop are used. This method allows you to identify pathologies of muscles and ligaments.
It should be remembered that flat feet is far from a harmless disease. Often, the curvature of the feet leads to deformation of the fingers and the appearance of the heel spur. Such pathologies create great difficulties when walking and, in advanced cases, are treated promptly. Therefore, when the first signs of flat feet appear (discomfort in the feet, the appearance of corns and fatigue in the legs), it is necessary to undergo a diagnosis by an orthopedist, including using plantography. This will allow timely detection of the disease. In the early stages, flat feet can be easily cured with the help of special exercise therapy exercises. It will also help to wear special shoes and insoles, which must be selected according to the results of a plantographic survey.