The problem of curvature of the legs occurs in people quite often. However, most of all it worries the weak half of humanity. Of course, any woman strives to look more attractive and better. However, sometimes this is prevented by the deformation of the knee joints, which the lady received from nature. After all, it is this particular structural feature of the lower extremities that has a dominant type of inheritance.
A similar 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 serious pathology in the future.
Types of lower limb deformity
In medicine, the curvature of the legs is determined in a standing position, when the legs are shoulder width apart, and the hands are "at the seams". In this case, three types of such pathology are distinguished. Among them:
1. Deformation of the varus type. It is characterized by the contact of the feet. The legs of a person in this position are similar to the letter “O”. In the knees, the contact point of the lower extremities is absent. This type of deformation is also called somewhat differently. This is the O-shaped curvature of the legs.
2. Valgus type deformity. In the same standing position, the legs of a person may resemble the letter “X”. This is another curvature of the legs. She is considered X-shaped. With her, it is possible to close the legs, but it is impossible to do this with the feet.
3. Deformation of the false type. She is a visually erroneous idea of the curvature of the legs. In such cases, the human bone apparatus is normal. However, there is an incorrect distribution of the musculoskeletal membrane. This fact is the main, visually giving the effect of curvature. With false deformation, the feet and knees close, but it is very difficult to bring the calves into contact.
Without pathology, the leg part of the legs has some deviation outward relative to the mentally drawn vertical line. In men, this value is about five degrees, and in women - up to ten.
The most dangerous is the X-shaped deformation of the legs. It is most clearly reflected in a person’s gait. This creates the impression that the patient shakes his hips a lot. With a stronger degree of deformation, the effect of jumping buttocks occurs when they rest on the leg.
With an O-shaped curvature, a reverse turn of the foot occurs. This creates some instability of the patient during movement 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 Leg Curvature
In most cases, lower limb deformity is caused by hereditary factors. The following are the reasons that arose in childhood. This is a lack of nutrients needed by the body for the proper formation of the skeleton, as well as injuries.
To date, one of the reasons for the deformation of the lower extremities is called by some too long the use of diapers. This should be borne in mind by young 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 deformation can occur with a deficiency of vitamin D and calcium in the body, as well as with insufficient exposure to fresh air.
In adolescence and further into adulthood, the appearance of curvature of the legs is influenced by factors such as overweight and weakness of the tendon-muscle ligaments of the knee joint and limbs.
Indications for surgery
The operation to correct the curvature of the legs is carried out only with a certain form of the lower extremities. The need for surgery arises from a thorough study of the contours of the muscular-fat structure of the limbs, their biomechanical axes, as well as the ratio of the shin and hip lines. In the language of the layman, doctors determine the harmony of the legs.
The main indicator of the assessment of the curvature of the legs is their biomechanical axis. It is a straight line, mentally drawn through the points of the femoral head, 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
To date, the most effective way to correct the lower extremities is an operation to correct the curvature of the legs, during which the tibia is specially 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 plunge any person into shock. That is why medicine uses a number of techniques in its 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, which the person contacts, offers him to view special computer programs that demonstrate the prospect of correction in a particular patient. It also provides information about patients who have already undergone a similar operation.
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 deformations of the “X” type. This unique device guarantees one hundred percent 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 that prevent a person from moving and threatening with serious diseases of the motor apparatus in the future.
An artificial fracture or suppression of the bone, which is subsequently accompanied by fixation of the debris, is called osteotomy. After such an operation, the Ilizarov apparatus is used. With its help, bone fragments are fused. This process is performed by an external method.
The level of modern orthopedics allows the use of a wide range of programs with which such correction of bones is controlled.
The very next day after 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 apparatus screws, which is strictly controlled by a computer program.
Cruroplasty
Correction of false curvature of the legs can be carried out by 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 located 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 previous indications. However, with this method, the correction of false curvature of the legs is performed using parts of the patient’s fatty tissue, the sampling of which is made from other places. This allows you to align the defective areas. Most often, fatty tissue is taken from the buttocks of the patient.
Lipofilling is a less traumatic method that best suits 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 be performed only at the request of the patient.
Clothes selection
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 quickest solution to this problem is a visual correction of the curvature of the legs. Reviews of many ladies recommend choosing the right clothes, for example:
1. These miracles are created by mini-skirts, which are combined with boots, as well as with tights, decorated with a large pattern.
2. Straight cut pants and jeans will help hide figure defects.
3. Visually increase the curvature of the legs of the skirt to the knee and breeches. That is why you should not wear them.
Special exercises
What other non-surgical methods for repairing defects of the lower extremities? Many exercises helped correct the curvature of the legs. However, it is worth remembering that special training complexes help only with false defects. The legs are adjusted by increasing the volume of muscle mass.
So, the following exercises are able to increase calf sizes:
1. Lifting on socks, performed with or without load.
2. Alternately pulling the legs back while standing.
3. The rise of straight legs lying on its side.
4. Bench press made on a special simulator.
5. Strong compression of the legs between themselves in a standing position.
6. Squats, performed as legs, located at shoulder width, and connected together.
7. Run up the stairs. During this exercise, the legs should be raised at each step to the toes.
Performing 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 occur only within one to two centimeters.
Yoga
This technique is used to strengthen the weak muscles of the legs and bring them into tone. Most often, the curvature of the lower extremities is eliminated by a special set of exercises that relax hard areas of tissues and strengthen soft ones.
When conducting yoga sessions, it is recommended to tighten the legs with straps or extract them using special weights. Quite effective exercise is the compression of the lower extremities of 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 linings
What to do to those people who have defects of the lower extremities, but they do not decide on the operation and can not find the time to perform special exercises? In this case, pads can help them to correct the curvature of the legs. But it is worth bearing in mind that their main task is only to visually hide the existing cosmetic defect.
The domestic market for medical products offers silicone pads, which have the following characteristics:
- are patented, that is, they are produced according to existing technology and in industrial conditions;
- made of natural silicone, not able to cause irritation or allergies to human skin, which does not emit any toxic substances and is completely safe for health;
- have sticky properties and therefore are well attached to the leg and do not slip from it;
- easy to wash if necessary, both with ordinary household means and with special ones that do not contain chemically active elements;
- in conditions of intensive operation, they can last from five to seven years;
- have a dimension, that is, they have a different thickness depending on the dimensions of the legs and lower legs, as well as the degree of their curvature.
There is an opinion that such devices can only be worn by women under trousers. However, it is not. Silicone pads can be used with dresses and short skirts. Of course, tights should be on the feet. Silicone has the ability to take the shade of the skin, which makes it invisible.
In the case when the lower extremities are curved in the form of the letter “O”, it is recommended to wear pads with the maximum thickness. If the leg defect is of type “X”, then the patient will need subtle devices.
If you are having difficulty choosing silicone pads, it is advisable to consult your doctor.