Improper construction of the foot can develop at any age, which can directly affect the quality of motor function. That is why you need to know the first signs of the disease, and how to determine flat feet depending on the degree. We also consider factors that can increase the risk of foot deformation and how to avoid this.
Where does flat feet come from?
Each person has a longitudinal (from the fingers to the heel on the inside of the sole) and transverse (from the thumb to the little finger) arch of the foot, which are responsible for the distribution of the correct weight load when moving. The formation of the foot begins when the baby learns to walk. By the age of 4, the arches are becoming more clear and noticeable. If the child does not have a clear outline until six years of age, or at least partially lack arches, then it is better not to delay the therapy, since if there is treatment in the early stages, negative consequences in the future can be avoided.
Before determining flat feet in a child, it is worth knowing the common causes that can lead to the disease:
- hereditary factor (if a person had relatives with flat feet, then the risk of developing an ailment increases);
- muscle weakness that is involved in movement;
- incorrect setting of the legs when walking with the baby;
- excess weight (with a large body weight, a significant load is placed on the legs, which can lead to deformation of the foot);
- rickets;
- lack of vitamins in the body;
- complications after fractures.
Symptoms of the disease
In order to know how to determine whether there is flat feet, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the symptoms of the disease.
The first "bells" of the disease are as follows:
- a feeling of great tiredness even when walking for not too long distances or prolonged standing;
- excessive swelling of the lower extremities or an increase in the size of the feet;
- a feeling of heaviness and discomfort in the foot, pain can spread to the lower leg or knees;
- protruding bone near the thumb, which indicates the development of transverse flatfoot;
- lower limbs are atypical in color (pale, red or cyanotic);
- the appearance of frequent corns or corns on the sole, even with the right shoes;
- frequent cramps of the lower extremities;
- wearing shoes on the inside;
- deformed toes on the legs.
Sometimes this may indicate increased fatigue or excessive stress on the lower limbs, but it is better to consult a specialist for advice.
Does shoes affect the development of the disease?
Before determining flat feet, it is worth paying attention primarily to shoes. It is she who can increase the risk of foot deformation. If the shoes are worn from the inside - this indicates that the leg is developing incorrectly or the shoes are not correctly selected.
Often, model shoes compress the foot too much, which can lead to deformation. High-heeled shoes, which the fair sex is so fond of, leads to improper redistribution of load when walking. This often provokes deformation of the transverse arch and the appearance of flat feet.
Wide and loose shoes are no less harmful than tight shoes, since not only corns can appear on the feet, but the risk of bending the fingers and impaired blood flow in this area is also increased.
It is the wrong shoes that are the reason for the development of flat feet in children and the elderly. In order to avoid this, it is worth choosing such models that will fit the foot, but not squeeze.
Types of foot deformation
Before determining flat feet, it is worth knowing that the ailment is divided into several types:
It occurs in every fifth patient with such an ailment. Most often, it has an acquired rather than congenital character (3%). This kind of ailment affects athletes, as well as persons who, by the nature of their activity, are forced to stand on their feet for a long time. It can also develop as a result of improperly fused bones of the foot or ankle after a fracture.
It occurs in every second person who is diagnosed with flat feet. Most often, the cause of the disease is the weakness of the muscles of the foot or lower leg after injuries or as a result of rickets. The disease has an acquired character, a congenital ailment is rare, which can be noticed even during the intrauterine development of the baby. In children is rare, most often occurs after 30 years. Symptoms are deformation of the fingers, the appearance of a protruding bone or a modification of the shape.
A complex pathology, which includes the two previous types of ailment. The most complex type of pathology when it is difficult for a person to move around. In most cases, it has an acquired character, a congenital factor occurs only in 3% of cases.
Degrees of flat feet
Many people have a question about how to determine the degree of flat feet. It is worth knowing that each of them has its own characteristics and symptoms. Regardless of the type of pathology, the following degrees of foot deformation are distinguished.
The foot does not change much, which may not be visually visible, but the legs are swollen and there is rapid fatigue. Also, a person's posture changes slightly. The disease in the first stage is best amenable to therapy.
There may be a noticeable change in gait, as well as constant pain during walking in the ankle or foot.
Pronounced deformation of the foot, it is difficult for a person to move around, many complications appear (scoliosis, arthrosis, osteochondrosis or hernia). Painful sensations can move to the lumbar region, frequent headaches appear.
It should be understood that the ailment does not appear suddenly, its development is gradual and continuous.
Determine flat feet on paper
Many are interested in how to determine flat feet at home. To do this, the paper test is most often used. It is often carried out to children in kindergarten, which allows you to diagnose the disease in the early stages.
The simplest home method, called plantography, is as follows:
- It is necessary to prepare a solution with a dye. To do this, you can take paints (gouache) or green paint. For lack of dye, you can use a greasy cream or vegetable oil. You will also need two sheets of A4 paper.
- Feet are greased liberally with dye, cream or oil, and then both legs are placed on clean sheets at the same time. In order for the footprints to remain on the leaf in the form of a foot, a few seconds are enough.
- Next is the process of measuring the pondometric index or degree according to the Friedland method. To do this, you need a ruler. Two lines are drawn from the heel to the thumb and little finger. If the depression in the middle of the foot passes to the left of the first line, then there is flat feet.
Although even looking at the picture, you can visually see if the foot is deformed or not. If the inside of the foot is curved and thin, there is no flat foot. The wider the sole of the foot in the middle, the higher the degree of the disease.
Other diagnostic methods
There are also other methods for determining longitudinal flatfoot or lateral at home.
- Carefully inspect the shoes - if the shoes are beveled inside, then there is some degree of deformation.
- If the legs began to resemble the letter X, that is, they have changed in the knees or joints, then the arch of the foot develops incorrectly.
Professional diagnostic methods include:
- X-ray (the most accurate, because an X-ray photograph of the foot is taken in two projections);
- CT stop (allows not only to assess the state of the feet while sitting or standing, but also in dynamics).
Special gymnastics to prevent illness
It is important not only to know how to determine the transverse flatfoot or longitudinal, but also how to prevent this ailment. To do this, small children constantly knead their feet. When the baby begins to walk, it is important at first, because the child does not yet know how to put the leg, use orthopedic shoes that will prevent possible deformation of the foot.
There is also special preventive gymnastics.
- Turning the feet. The legs are shoulder-width apart, alternately connecting the heels first, then the socks together.
- Foot rotation. The sole of the leg moves in different directions.
- Rise stop. This can be done both sitting and standing. Exercise promotes flexibility and prevents muscle stagnation in the area.
- Walking on the spot. It is important to complete the exercise quickly.
- Walking on heels only, and then exclusively on toes.
There are also many other preventative exercises. But if a person is moderately engaged in physical activity, then he does not need them, since the feet are already moving. It is important not to overdo it, but not to allow the muscles to stagnate.
Output
Knowing how to determine flat feet at home and with a specialist, it is worth noting that it is important to monitor the development of the feet, especially in children from an early age. The disease, identified in the early stages, is easily treatable. It is also worth avoiding increased loads on the lower extremities, since many ailment is acquired in nature.