Flat-footedness

General description of the disease

This is a pathological change in the shape of the foot, in which the transverse or longitudinal arch of the foot drops.

The human foot is unique, it springs due to the structure of the arch with the support of muscles and ligaments, performing the task of a shock absorber in the process of walking. If the ligamentous-muscular system weakens, then the sole sags and flat feet develops. Women are susceptible to this pathology 4-5 times more often than representatives of the stronger sex.

According to statistics, up to 80% of the world’s population suffer from this disease.

Causes of flatfoot

The main reason for the development of flat feet is insufficient or excessive load on the legs. Moreover, 3-5% of patients receive this ailment in heredity. Main risk factors:

• improperly fitted shoes (high heels, platform or sneakers);
• excess weight;
• long walking in high heels;
• transferred rickets, poliomyelitis;
• long standing on your feet;
• diabetes;
• pregnancy;
• professions associated with being on your feet for a long time during the day;
• injuries and fractures of the foot, ankle, sprain of the foot;
• running sports;
• inflammatory arthritis, in which the ligaments and cartilage that support the feet are damaged.

Types and symptoms of flat feet

Flat feet can be longitudinal and transverse… For the longitudinal type, the lengthening of the foot is characteristic, and with the transverse type, the foot is shortened, but becomes wider. Both the transverse and longitudinal flat feet are quite common, but the transverse is more common.

The longitudinal form of flat feet has three forms of development:

1. 1 Grade 1 is characterized by mild symptoms. In the evening, the patient feels fatigue in the area of ​​the feet, with pressure, slight pain is possible, possibly slight swelling;
2. 2 Grade 2 is characterized by more intense pain that spreads from the foot to the lower leg and ankle. The patient’s gait becomes more severe;
3. 3 Grade 3 is characterized by severe pain in the foot and lower leg, there may even be pulling pains in the lumbar region. The foot is deformed and this is visible on visual inspection. The joints of the foot are swollen, it is difficult for the patient to walk, special shoes are needed.

Most people have flat feet to a greater or lesser extent, so you should see your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• the foot is lengthened, as a result of which you have to buy shoes one size larger;
• feeling of tiredness in the legs after walking for a long time;
• Difficulty walking in heels
• swelling of the legs in the evening;
• pain in the feet;
• shoes are quickly trampled on the inside.

With longitudinal flat feet, swelling is observed on the back of the foot, problems arise with the choice of comfortable shoes, the ankle joint becomes less mobile, in the evening the feet, ankles, lower legs and lower back hurt.

With transverse flat feet, the fingers are deformed and eventually acquire a hammer-like shape, the patient experiences pain in the area of ​​the anterior arch of the foot, and there is also calcification of the skin.

Complications of flat feet

If the foot does not adequately cushion the load, then other joints – the knee, ankle and hip joints – have to perform this task. This increases the load on the spine, which leads to pinching of the nerve roots.

If flat feet are not diagnosed in time and treatment is not started, then the foot begins to deform, a painful bone grows near the base of the big toe on the inner side of the foot. Blood circulation in the legs deteriorates, the patient is disturbed by ingrown nails, back pains appear, posture is disturbed, arthrosis and scoliosis may develop.

Changes in the bone system of the foot lead to varicose veins of the legs, the patient experiences a burning sensation in the area of ​​the foot and ankles, blue veins visually appear under the skin ^[3].

Prevention of flat feet

Flat feet are always better prevented than treated. For the prevention of this disease, it is recommended:

1. 1 try to walk barefoot on pebbles, grass and sand as often as possible;
2. 2 play sports only in sports shoes;
3. 3 monitor weight;
4. 4 refuse shoes with very high heels and a very narrowed nose;
5. 5 regularly massage the feet;
6. 6 dose physical activity;
7. 7 in children, prevent the development of avitominosis;
8. 8 try to avoid injuries to the legs;
9. 9 if you need to stand for a long time in one place, then you should periodically do a warm-up;
10. 10 do not wear shoes with too hard soles, give preference to comfortable shoes;
11. 11 go swimming.

Also, for preventive purposes, to prevent the development of flat feet, it is recommended to perform the following exercises barefoot:

• sitting on a chair, alternately with both legs, roll a round or oval object on the floor, it can be a small ball, rolling pin or bottle;
• lift small objects off the floor with your toes;
• hold a pencil between your toes and draw various shapes on a piece of paper on the floor;
• while sitting on the floor, describe circles with your feet in one direction or the other;
• while standing on the floor, bring and spread the feet without lifting them from the floor surface;
• walk on heels, while not touching the floor with the sole and fingers;
• do squats without lifting your heels off the floor.

Treatment of flat feet in official medicine

Therapy of flat feet in children is much more successful than in adults and does not require surgical intervention, the main thing is to diagnose it in time. The reason for the development of this ailment in children, as a rule, is still fragile bones and weak muscles and ligaments. Therefore, the treatment of flat feet in children has a tonic direction – exercise therapy and massage are enough. Special orthopedic shoes are also recommended.

Flat feet in adults are less treatable. To begin with, it is necessary to eliminate the pain syndrome; for this, pain relievers and physiotherapy procedures are prescribed. After that, the shape of the foot is corrected, for this they use special instep supports, which not only relieve pain, but also strengthen the muscles. There are different types of instep supports in pharmacies, but it is better to order them individually, taking into account the size of the foot and the level of flattening of the arch. In severe cases, special orthopedic shoes are recommended, which are ordered using a plaster cast.

Surgery involves removing some of the bones so that a normal arch of the foot can be formed.

Good results in the treatment of flat feet can be achieved with the help of physiotherapy: therapeutic exercises, foot massage, hydromassage, baths. But physiotherapy procedures are most effective at the initial stage of the disease.

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!