Flat feet in children occurs due to the fact that the configuration of the foot is disturbed. This leads to a change in the mechanics of walking. In children, this is manifested by severe fatigue, pain, swelling, problems with movement and impaired gait. The diagnosis can only be made after a clinical examination, as well as radiography. In order to cure such a disease in children, conservative-type methods are used, that is, gymnastics, massages and so on. Surgery is practically not performed.
Description of the problem
It should be noted that flat feet in children 2-3 years old is a fairly common problem. It is observed in almost 30% of children. In 3% of cases, it disturbs newborns. By age 7, diagnosed in 40%, and by age 12 - in 50%. Every month a big load arises on the foot. Therefore, the development of this disease occurs gradually. The critical period is the age from 8 months to 1.5 years. It was at this time that most of the children learn to walk. At such an early age, the guys have a flat foot, which is due to the anatomical features. During this period, all muscles are weak. Injuries are experienced quite painfully. This is due to the fact that the ligaments are easily stretched. Only by the age of 6 children with proper development increases muscle endurance. And if little time is devoted to the child, then flat feet can form, which will lead to a decrease in the potential of the foot. This is fraught with serious problems with the spine, internal organs, as well as knee and femoral joints. Due to flat feet, the entire musculoskeletal system may be affected.
Disease classification
The foot has several types of arches, ligaments and muscles that allow you to distribute the load while running and walking, and also increase endurance to active physical actions. In addition, they provide balance. In the medical field, flatfoot is divided by anatomical criteria into three types: longitudinal, transverse and combined.
It should be noted that most often in preschool children flatfoot is diagnosed as the first type. In this case, the foot lengthens. Longitudinal arch thickens. If we are talking about the transverse form of the disease, then in this case the foot length is reduced.
In addition, this disease is divided into congenital and acquired. The first form is associated with the development of a bone structure that has a deformation. In addition, the muscle-ligamentous apparatus is probably disturbed. Acquired disease can be traumatic, paralytic.
Most often, school children are diagnosed with statistical flat feet. It is due to the fact that several types of loads of different strength fall on the foot. Because of this, the disease develops.
Causes of the disease
Flat feet in preschool children can develop for various reasons. They may be associated with congenital damage to muscles, bones, and so on. Acquired most often occurs due to the fact that the child has pathologies associated with connective tissue. Sometimes this is affected by an extra chord in the heart muscle or even problems with the gallbladder. The genetic factor also matters.
The disease can occur in those children who receive a lot of physical activity. Flat feet with rickets is common. Often it is caused by improperly fused bones after a fracture or injury, muscle paralysis, and so on.
Statistical flat feet in a 3-year-old child often occurs due to improperly selected shoes. That is why parents need to pay special attention to the quality of the purchased pair. Overweight and too long walking also contribute to the development of pathology.
Symptoms of the disease
Most often, with a congenital type of disease in children, only one foot is problematic, in which the sole is convex and slightly flattened. Sometimes there are violations in the heel and fingers.
If a strong static load appears, the disease begins to worsen. Flat feet in children of 6 years has characteristic symptoms. The child quickly gets tired, traces shoes in the heel and inside. If we are talking about clinical manifestations, then severe pain appears, swelling and fatigue occur. It should be noted that the longitudinal disease is divided into several stages.
- At the first arch of the foot reaches a height of up to 35 mm. Deformation does not develop.
- The second degree is characterized by a vault height of up to 17 mm. The foot begins to flatten, which is very noticeable. The child experiences pain that is given to the ankle joint and calf muscles. The foot begins to increase, expand. The gait is heavy and awkward.
- The third degree of flat feet is characterized by the height of the arch up to 17 mm. The child is constantly sore feet, lower back, head. In ordinary shoes it’s difficult to walk. Very often, due to flat feet, fingers suffer, corns appear, scoliosis forms, as well as some other diseases of the spine.
Diagnosis of the disease
It should be noted that it is very difficult to diagnose the disease and find out the degree of flat feet in children under 6 years old. Upon examination, parameters such as the width of the foot, its length and range of motion are taken into account. The doctor checks if the arches are deformed. Also important is how quickly the shoes wear out.
If we are talking about older children, then plantography is carried out. It is accomplished in this way: the child steps on the paper and leaves a footprint on it. Submetry indicates violation of the vaults. To clarify the diagnosis and make the right one, an x-ray is needed, which is necessarily done in two projections.
Disease treatment
It should be noted that flat feet in children is a rapidly progressing disease, so you need to start treating it as soon as possible, then the therapy will be effective.
If we are talking about a congenital type of pathology, treatment should begin from the first weeks. This will completely prevent any deformation of the foot. It is necessary to do massage, therapeutic exercises. Infants can be held by bandaging the foot in the correct position. Plaster dressings and night cuts are also allowed.
If in such small patients an aggravation of the disease is observed, then an operation can be done. It will solve the problem. An orthopedic rug for children helps well from flat feet .
In general, treatment is reduced to courses of massage, physiotherapy and physiotherapy. Soft shoes, such as boots, boots or Czech shoes, should be discarded. It is best to use shoes with a small heel that can fix the ankle joints.
If an older child, he should wear shoes with a special insole. It is called arch support. With its help, you can return the foot to the correct position. Hydromassage, paraffin baths, and magnetotherapy also help. If there is no effect from treatment, sometimes langets are used.
In severe cases, children are treated with surgery that is performed on bones and soft tissues. The operation can only be done from 8 to 12 years.
Preventative measures
Prevention of flat feet in children is a rather important aspect, therefore it cannot be ignored. A weak form of the disease can be completely eliminated using modern methods. If we are talking about neglected cases, then it is almost impossible to correct them.
When conducting therapy that does not give an effect, funds should be changed. Otherwise, it can lead to problems with the joints and directly with the spine.
With regard to preventive measures, it is necessary first of all to note the wearing of the right shoes, constant physical education, especially sports such as soccer or basketball, as well as swimming. Effective is walking barefoot on pebbles or on sand. Be sure to control the weight of the child.
Effects
The various consequences that platypodia in children can lead to have already been given above. Some parents think that this disease is mild, without affecting the life of the child. However, this is a fallacy. In addition to serious walking and gait problems, serious illnesses such as arthritis or osteochondrosis can occur. Next, we consider this question in more detail.
Due to the fact that with flat feet, the foot does not function as a shock absorber, the entire load when walking and various active movements falls on the ankle joints, ligaments, hip joints and so on. Because of this, a person develops arthrosis. Often the problem of scoliosis occurs due to the described pathology. Nails can grow and fingers bend. Flat feet also lead to lameness, clubfoot, radiculitis. That is why you should not hesitate to consult a doctor. It is best to show a specialist to a child at a young age, because timely treatment will bring more results and can prevent the progression of the disease. It should be noted the fact that flat feet in itself does not pass.
Specialist
Many people are interested in who to contact if a child has 2 years of flat feet. It is necessary to visit an orthopedist who is directly involved in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system. Most often, surgery is not required, so you will have to visit physiotherapists, masseurs and manual therapists. If we are talking about older children who already have consequences in the form of scoliosis and various disorders, a neurologist will be involved in the therapy.
Therapeutic gymnastics with flat feet
In order to prevent flat feet in children, it is necessary to do therapeutic exercises. There are two types of exercises. On a chair and in a standing position.
Sitting on a support, it is necessary to unbend and bend your fingers, raise socks and heels from the floor. It is necessary to make sure circular movements of the foot, stretch your fingers towards you. It should also be, without taking the socks off the floor, breed heels.
In a standing position, you should squat without taking off your heels, constantly walk on toes, as well as on the outer edges of the foot. You just need to climb on your fingers in place.
All exercises need to be shown to the child. He should repeat them several times. Such exercises should be done every day. And if he will be engaged constantly, then the risk of developing such a disease is minimal.
Lotions and compresses
Depending on the degree of flat feet, children can be treated with lotions and compresses. However, they are no longer aimed at treating the pathology, but at eliminating the symptoms. Many patients claim that the methods are as useful as possible.
The most effective is considered to be bitter wormwood. Its leaves must be washed and applied to the feet. Next, wrap your legs in a warm cloth. This will get rid of the pain. A similar tool can also be used for dislocations and various injuries.
Another good remedy is iodine and citric acid, taken in a one to one ratio. Two tablets of acetylsalicylic acid should be added. This mixture must be applied to the painful area and wrap. It should be noted that only 3% iodine can be used for such methods. Otherwise, the skin will be burned. Such a procedure should be carried out for three consecutive days, after which a week break is made.
Herbal baths
If a person decided to use herbal baths along with massage for flat feet in children , then this will be a rather effective treatment. It should be noted that with the right technology for preparing herbs, pain can be reduced in a few procedures. Baths with sea salt will help strengthen bones and even relax joints.
In order to prepare the mixture, it is necessary to use 1 liter of warm water, in which to dilute no more than one tablespoon of salt. Next, you need to lower your legs into it and hold for 20 minutes. After wiping the feet and grease with a fat cream.
It will be nice if you hold a massage after this procedure. Good water treatments are also considered contrasting baths. Two containers should be used where both cold and hot water will be poured. Next, you only need to alternately lower your legs in one or the other container.
Cold and hot shower
In the treatment of flat feet in children, you can also use a contrast shower. It will not only reduce the symptoms of the disease, but also harden the body. The only limitation: if the girl begins menstruation, then these days it is not worth resorting to such methods.
You can also use alcohol tincture, prepared on the basis of the immortelle. It will reduce pain. You should buy a mat for flat feet for children. It will maximize the effect of treatment.
Summary
As already mentioned, flat feet is not such a serious problem. However, it can lead to serious consequences. That is why it is necessary to deal with the treatment of flat feet in children from childhood. This is the only way to avoid unpleasant consequences.