Flat feet are diagnosed in many children, but parents, due to lack of time or lack of comprehensive information, often do not attach importance to the diagnosis. An irresponsible attitude can lead to diseases of the musculoskeletal system or internal organs in the future. That is why it is so important to begin treatment of flat-valgus feet in children in a timely manner.
Types of flat feet
- Depending on the time of occurrence - congenital, acquired.
- Depending on the reasons causing it - traumatic, paralytic, rickety, static.
- Depending on the direction - transverse, longitudinal, transverse-longitudinal.
There is also the concept of flat valgus deformity of the feet - violation of the arch, in which the child's heels deviate outward. This is the most common variety of flat feet, a sign of which is the uneven wearing of shoes. The baby cannot run for a long time, walk, complains of leg pain. Cramps in the calf muscles are possible at night.
Flat valgus feet in children: treatment
It is important to notice the first symptoms of the pathology in time. For example, increased fatigue of the feet, pain in the foot, uneven trampling of the sole (in 5-6 year old children). Parents may sometimes not notice this, as modern babies do not move much. Therefore, you need to systematically visit an orthopedic surgeon who will see the disease in time and will prescribe the appropriate treatment for flat-valgus feet in children. To fix the defect, apply:
- orthopedic shoes in size and individual insoles;
- physiotherapy exercises;
- walking barefoot on a massage rug, pebbles;
- exercises for the development of foot motility;
- magnetotherapy, amplipulse therapy, electrophoresis;
- baths with sea salt, decoctions of herbs;
- massage, reflexology.
Prevention of flat feet
For the prevention of disease, systematic examinations of an orthopedist are necessary. The child should undergo the first examination at 1 month, then at 6 months and at 1 year. If pathological changes in the arch are found, then the treatment of flat-valgus feet in children should be prescribed only by a doctor. He controls deviations in the development of the musculoskeletal system, recommends orthopedic remedies for correction.
The consequences of flat feet
Launched pathology can lead to arthrosis, arthritis, shortening of the limb, twisting of the pelvis, inguinal hernia, scoliosis, malocclusion of the teeth. Often observed displacement and compression of internal organs, constipation, dystrophy, gastritis, ulcers, bronchitis, circulatory disorders of the brain. Treatment of flat-valgus feet in children should be timely, since in the future it is possible to bend in the cervical spine, which leads to a violation of the venous outflow.
The diagnosis of flat feet is made to the child only after five years, since the foot is formed before this age. But the prevention of the disease is necessary from birth. This is the only way to avoid future health problems.