The foot is one of the main links of the body's support. Its area is about 1% of the entire surface of the body. However, it is precisely on it that the main burden is equal to the mass of the human body. The stop performs several functions: depreciation, support, balancing. Under the influence of certain factors, its arch undergoes deformation, a disease such as flat feet develops. As a result, the sole loses its shock absorbing features, which is accompanied by unpleasant complications.
Flatfoot - what is it?
The human foot consists of 26 bones. They are interconnected by joints and ligaments, the movement of which is controlled by tendons and muscles. In a healthy person, the foot has 2 arches: transverse and longitudinal. They are in the area of the bases of the fingers and the inner edge of the sole. When walking, a person does not fully rest on the foot. As a rule, three points are involved: the calcaneus, the base area of the little finger and the thumb. If the ligaments and muscles of the foot weaken, its shape begins to change. It gradually becomes flat. When walking, a person is forced to rest his sole on the surface. As a result, the cushioning properties deteriorate, flat feet develop. A photo of leg deformity is presented in this article.
The vaults function as springs or levers, providing comfortable movement with minimal consequences for the body. Damage to this link entails disruption of the whole system. The body, as you know, is a single whole. Any changes in the operation of one system will necessarily affect the functioning of another. Flat feet can cause damage to the thigh and knee joints, spinal deformity. If the foot does not cope with its functions, they go to the structures located above. The spine, knee and thigh joints are not adapted to such a load, so they quickly fail.
Disease classification
The foot has two arches. Therefore, the allocation of forms of the disease is quite justified - longitudinal and transverse flat feet. Symptoms and treatment of each are discussed below. There is also a mixed (combined) version of the ailment.
Classification of the disease by type also provides for the allocation of acquired and congenital flatfoot. The first case is extremely rare and is the result of abnormal development of the fetus. Acquired flat feet can occur at any age. It, in turn, is divided into several subspecies:
- static (occurs due to a decrease in muscle tone);
- rickety (as a result of a deficiency of vitamin D in the body, the muscle apparatus is weakened);
- paralytic (develops against the background of transferred polio);
- traumatic (appears as a result of damage and bone fractures).
Symptoms of flat feet
What signs should I pay attention to in time to prevent flat feet? Symptoms of this disease appear gradually. The very first sign of it is considered severe pain in the legs at the end of the day. By evening, the soles and lower legs swell, cramps appear. It becomes difficult for women to walk in heels. Due to the increase in the foot, old shoes have to be abandoned and bought a new one, but larger. Gradually, the pain syndrome spreads higher, goes to the knee and femoral joints. Such signs characterize not only flat feet. Symptoms of a similar nature are observed with varicose veins. But the treatment for this disease requires a completely different.
To reassure yourself, you can conduct a simple test at home. To do this, lubricate the soles of the feet with a coloring substance (for example, brilliant green or iodine). Then leave a print on a sheet of paper so that the load on the feet is uniform. After that, draw a line parallel to the plantar notch from the heel to the toes. Place the perpendicular in the deepest part to the outer edge of the foot. If the imprint of the bottleneck of the sole occupies at least half drawn perpendicular to the first line, you have flat feet. A photo of an example circuit is presented below.
The causes of the pathological process
Flat feet is a serious disease characterized by deformity of the foot. In ordinary life, no one pays attention to this defect. It is worth knowing the features of the disease in order to take timely measures to correct it. The causes of the disease can be both external and internal. Given the pace of modern man’s life and neglect of his own wardrobe, sometimes flat feet has a mixed etiology. Even everyone’s favorite sneakers can provoke deformation of the foot. Why? The sole of the shoe is equipped with excellent cushioning. They take on the entire load, fixing the heel. As a result, the muscles relax, all conditions are created for the development of such a problem as flat feet. What is flat feet, how it arises, is now clear.
Returning to the internal causes of the disease, it is worth noting a number of provoking factors. First of all, this is the presence of concomitant ailments. Among them, rheumatoid arthritis takes pride of place. It affects not only the cartilage, but also the ligaments, which are responsible for supporting the foot. Injuries and mechanical damage to the legs also contribute to the development of a foot defect.
The impact of external factors is easily prevented if you take care of your own health and carefully approach the choice of shoes. Among the exogenous causes of flatfoot include the following:
- excessive physical activity;
- lack of activity due to work;
- hormonal disorders, pregnancy;
- wrong shoes.
Longitudinal flat feet
With this form of the disease, an increase in the length of the foot occurs against the background of lowering the longitudinal arch. As a result, the sole is completely in contact with the floor. The main sign of deformation is the reduction of the gap between the inner edge of the foot and the floor surface itself. In patients with this diagnosis, clubfoot develops over time.
Three degrees of the longitudinal form of flatfoot are distinguished:
- At the first stage of the development of the disease, there is no visible deformation. Discomfort in the legs appears after prolonged exertion. When pressed, pain occurs.
- The second degree is characterized by a change in the arch of the foot. Painful discomfort intensifies and spreads to the ankles and legs. Muscles gradually lose their elasticity.
- The third degree of the disease is characterized by pronounced deformation of the foot. Pain in the legs does not go away even in the evening. There is discomfort in the lower back, reduced ability to work. It is difficult for a person with a diagnosis of “longitudinal flatfoot of the third degree” to walk in ordinary shoes.
Transverse flat feet
With this form of the disease, the length of the foot decreases, the thumb deviates, and the middle one is deformed. It acquires a hammer-like appearance. At the base of the first finger, a small seal appears in the form of a cone.
There are three degrees of the transverse shape of flat feet. Their differences are due to the angle of deviation of the big toe.
- The first degree is a mild transverse flatfoot. Symptoms of the disease appear as it progresses. The deviation of the thumb does not exceed 20 degrees. After exercise, painful discomfort appears. On the foot, corns in the region of 2-4 fingers are clearly visible.
- In the second degree, the deviation angle is already 35 degrees. Under load, there is a burning sensation in the sole area, corns increase in size.
- The third degree of the disease is characterized by constant pain. The deviation angle exceeds 35 degrees. Some patients develop bursitis. This disease is accompanied by inflammation of the periarticular bag.
Separately consider mixed flat feet. What is longitudinal and transverse flatfoot, we have already considered, and this pathology is accompanied by symptoms that are characteristic of both species. The manifestation of signs of a mixed form is more pronounced.
What is the difference in flat feet in children?
The foot of a child under five years old is a fragile structure that is in the process of formation. Therefore, parents have a great responsibility. They must prevent the disease, recognize it in a timely manner and begin treatment.
Children rarely talk about health problems. If they try to hint, parents do not pay attention to them. Children lead an active lifestyle, are in constant motion, which is usually accompanied by fatigue. But there are certain points that parents should pay attention to:
- flattening of the arches of the feet;
- unevenly worn shoes;
- child complaints of leg pain after outdoor games.
If the child’s gait has changed, he began to move less, it is necessary to consult an orthopedist. An experienced specialist can recognize flat feet at an early stage. Symptoms and treatment of this disease in children practically do not differ from those in adults. Its only feature is the reversibility of the pathological process. The gradual maturation of the child is accompanied by a natural get rid of the disease. The foot is formed up to 13 years. During this period, it is necessary to focus on physical activity (running, walking). As a result, the muscles will begin to develop harmoniously, and the foot will acquire the correct shape.
Medical examination
Flat feet in adults and children can be determined based on the clinical symptoms of the disease. To assess the degree of the pathological process, a serious examination of the patient is required. It includes several points. It:
- Plantography allows you to determine the severity of the pathological process using prints. To do this, a methylene blue solution is applied to the feet. Then prints on a blank sheet of paper. Plantography gives indicative data on the condition of the arches of the foot.
- The Friedland sub-method allows you to estimate the percentage of the height of the foot to its length.
- The clinical method is based on the construction of a special triangle. Its base is equal to the distance from the head of the metatarsal to the tubercle of the heel. The top of the triangle is located in the center. The first leg reaches the highest point of the calcaneal tuber, the second - to the metatarsal head. Normally, the height of the arch should not exceed 60 cm.
- The X-ray method is also based on the construction of a triangle, but in this case, the angle at the apex is measured. This parameter should not exceed 130 degrees.
Based on the results of the examination, an orthopedic surgeon can confirm the diagnosis and give recommendations for treatment.
With flat feet take in the army? This question worries many young adults who have come of age. If the recruit is diagnosed with deformity of the foot of the 1st or 2nd degree, he is subject to service in the ranks of the armed forces. With longitudinal or transverse flat feet of 3 degrees, the young man is exempted from the army. He is given a military card with the mark "limited fit."
Treatment principles
Many do not pay attention to flat feet, ignore the first symptoms. In fact, this is a rather serious and rapidly developing pathology, practically not amenable to therapy. It can be completely cured only in childhood, when the foot is not yet fully formed. In adults, therapy is aimed at slowing the development of the disease and preventing complications. Treatment of the pathological process is complex. The patient is strengthened by muscles, pain is eliminated, and progressive longitudinal / transverse flatfoot is stopped. Symptoms and treatment of these varieties of the disease are practically the same. Now we will dwell in more detail on modern methods of therapy.
Medications combined with physiotherapy help eliminate pain. Patients are prescribed systemic analgesics (Ibuprofen, Aspirin), as well as topical ointments (Dolgit, Voltaren).
The basis of therapy is therapeutic gymnastics. A set of exercises selects an orthopedist taking into account the stage of the disease and the age of the patient. A good therapeutic effect gives foot massage. Regular procedures contribute to the normalization of blood circulation, increase muscle tone. Unfortunately, all the listed treatment methods are effective only at the initial stage of the disease. With severe deformations of the foot, only one option helps - the operation.
The treatment of this disease in children requires a different approach. Most often, in small patients, longitudinal flatfoot is diagnosed (that such a deformation cannot be ignored, all parents should know). Pathology is very treatable with its timely detection. The bones, ligaments, and muscles of a child are susceptible to conservative therapy. A positive therapeutic effect is given by exercise therapy and massage. If the child has congenital flat feet, they begin to treat him from the very first days of life. For this, special dressings and langets are used.
Why is flat feet dangerous?
The human body works as a whole. Between all organs there are not only anatomical, but also functional connections. With flat feet, a shift in the center of gravity occurs. To maintain balance, a person is forced to constantly deviate in the opposite direction. Over time, the deformation increases, and the back is noticeably rounded. Violation of posture and flat feet have similar causes of development. This is a weakness of the connective tissue, muscles, as well as obesity. In a healthy person, the arch of the foot performs the function of a shock absorber. With flat feet, it is lost. As a result, the spinal column and knees have an increased load. This leads to an even stronger curvature of the posture, scoliosis.
Deformation of the foot can provoke the development of other specific complications, among which:
- nail ingrowth;
- curvature of the fingers;
- heel spurs;
- degenerative changes in the legs;
- clubfoot.
In children with this diagnosis, depreciation of the foot is also impaired. As a result, the vibration of the body during movement is transmitted to the lower legs and spine. Constant irritation of the joints leads to inflammation, arthrosis develops. The effect of flat feet on the spine is reflected in its curvature. The child is constantly tormented by pain in the legs and head, his ability to work and school performance is reduced.
Prevention of the disease in children and adults
To exclude the development of flat feet, it should be periodically prevented. First of all, doctors recommend paying attention to shoes. Today in almost every store you can buy special orthopedic shoes and insoles. The range of similar children's products is striking in its diversity. Do not forget that shoes and insoles cannot correct the deformation of the foot. They only warn of its development.
To strengthen muscles it is useful to make contrast baths. It is necessary to alternately dip your feet in basins with cold and hot water. In addition, the regular use of vitamins in their natural form (A, E, C, D) and trace elements (such as copper, selenium, calcium) contributes to muscle strengthening.
Prevention of flat feet in children can begin with an increase in physical activity. Martial arts, skiing and horse riding are considered useful. In summer, you can walk barefoot on mowed grass, pebbles. Such daily walks positively affect the motility of the small muscles of the foot.