Valgus foot deformation on children

Deformation of foot valgus in children occurs quite frequently in orthopedic practice-there are 100 healthy children with a variety of flat feet per 100 healthy.This diagnosis should not be afraid, you need to understand the problem and start solving it under the guidance of an experienced expert.In most cases, foot curvature is treated at home using exercise therapy, massage and other additional methods, and only in the further stage is the required surgical intervention.

What is the valgus and a flat deformation?

Valgus' feet are a change in the lower foot axis, in which the flood of the foot inside, and the heel and fingers -the jungle stands out.With timely diagnosis and the implementation of all doctor's recommendations, the defects are adjusted and the proper set of feet are formed.Lack of treatment leads to deformation of the flat-valgus and lifelong changes in the operation of the musculoskeletal system.

The signs and symptoms of the valgus deformation in children

Foot deformation in children is diagnosed by 1-1.5 years, when the baby begins to walk on his own.In the case of congenital pathology, orthopedis will see the deviation of the norm at 2-3 months of baby life.

Parents can recognize the onset of the disease itself, stating that the child is not right in the foot, diverting the center of gravity in it.This gait can be clumsy, cosmolic, flat feet are observed.If you place the child directly and bring your knees together, 4-5 centimeters are formed between the feet.With the development of the deformation on both sides, the feet acquired the "X" letter.There is a comparison of this pathology by "kissing the knee" (see photo).

Incorrect load distribution leads to rapid fatigue of children, often he prefers passive games, avoiding physical activity.Older children often complain about lower leg pain, joints and spine, in the evening swelling of the feet may appear.Gradually, the fingers and the heel were defective and deviated, the skin in the feet thickened, corn appeared.The shoes of a child with such a foot deformation are torn - the inside is extinguished faster.

Anatomical and functional flat feet and the cause

All newborns have a flat anatomical feet, as the muscles, ligaments and tendons are always relaxed.When the children start to get up and try to walk, the ligaments are reinforced, and the right leg gate is formed.If this is not the case, orthopedics talk about flat foot development.

Reasons -a flat foot development in small children:

• Due to calcium deficiency and other trace elements during pregnancy.A woman should follow all the doctor's recommendations, adhere to a healthy lifestyle and eat properly.
• Genetic factors.Pathology can be inherited, so if flat feet are present in the parents, proper attention should be paid to the prevention of foot deformation in the child.
• Transferred to the rickets.One of the causes of foot pathology is vitamin D. deficiency -softened, musculoskeletal system curved, and a set of feet.

• Early settings on the feet.While the baby may like to depend on the feet, don't let him do this earlier than 7-8 months.
• Incorrectly selected shoes are too free or narrow, on a flat foot.Do not buy shoes for children "for growth" (supply is allowed to maximum size), as the feet will be in a free position.Walking barefoot on a flat surface (house on the floor).
• The following diseases can trigger squamous foot installation: cerebral palsy, polio, obesity, congenital thighs.Various foot injuries, long in the gypsum.

The stage of pathological development

There are four degrees of squamous curiosity:

1. First degree - the baby turns to the feet of no more than 15 degrees.This is the early stage of deformation, with a serious approach to valgus treatment, it can be corrected well, and the feet are actually straightened.
2. The second stage is characterized by a 15-20 degree foot deviation.For treatment, you need some time and effort.
3. With a third degree, the deviation is 20-30 degrees.Prolonged treatment is required (use of orthopedic shoes, massage, exercise therapy, physiotherapy).
4. Fourth is the hardest curvature, feet over 30 degrees.In the absence of complex treatment effects, lower surgical correction is carried out.

Method of treatment

To achieve persistent positive results, you should pay attention to treatment.It should be complex and long, after the appearance of the first result, you do not have to stop treating the baby.Gait is normal and children's health depends on parents' efforts and perseverance.Here are the main types of correction of valgus deformation from the lower leg.

Drug therapy

Medicinal medications for lower X-shaped curvature are used to relieve inflammation and joint pain, but it is impossible to get rid of the disease only with the help of drug therapy.Experts usually prescribe the administration of the drug -articular medicine.

Orthopedic treatment with the use of devices and shoe options for children

As prescribed by a doctor, to treat foot curvature, it may use special orthopedic devices - various suppliers, bandages and tires.The prerequisites for achieving continuous positive results wear orthopedic shoes.

When choosing these shoes, you need to pay attention to the following:

• Shoes should be made from natural respiratory materials;
• The children should feel comfortable in it, cannot destroy or rub it anywhere;
• It should have a hard and high donkey so that the ankle and heel joints are recorded in the right position;
• presence of fasteners that control shoes in foot width;
• The presence of small, wide, ideal heels- "thomas heel" (inside the leg is slightly longer than the outside).

Medical Education and Physical Training for Daily Implementation at Home

Training must be done daily, here are some of them:

• Walk walking on the socks and walking on the heel (first by raising, then the toes) for 5 minutes;
• Sitting on the floor with a stranded leg to squeeze and tie the toes;
• You can offer children to try to raise a variety of small objects from the floor;
• Walking on uneven surfaces, for example, can be taken home with river gravel or buying a massage carpet;
• walking on the outer edge of the feet;
• Knowing a wooden roller or small ball;
• rotation by foot from left to right and vice versa.

Massage and physiotherapy

Massage is done at home, course for 2-3 weeks, then rest.This will help strengthen the muscles and relieve stress, special skills are not required for this.The total massage time is 20-30 minutes.You should start with a general massage - children lying on the stomach, hands extended throughout the body, the head is turned on.Hand movements should not cause pain to the baby:

• It is easy to knock the palms along the back, gradually increasing the pressure;
• Pat witch with the edge of the palm, slightly a pinch;
• Finish the folds of the skin towards the bottom to the shoulder;
• Finish the back massage by wiping;
• Removes the feet from the heel to the back and back, easy to pinch;

• Mark the feet and muscles of the femoral;
• Finished wiping your feet.
• Rub the feet with the edge of the palm, gradually increasing by pressing;
• the thumb "pulls" number 7 on the one;
• With one hand, resistant to the heel, the second - rub the ankle joint;
• It's easy to pull your feet with your own "ones" fingers.

If necessary, the doctor may prescribe physiotherapy, for example: magnetotherapy, acupuncture, electrophoresis, paraffin wrap.This will improve metabolism in the problem area and will help achieve complete absorption of drugs.

Surgical intervention

In unusual cases, when complex therapy does not produce results, parents are invited to solve surgical problems.The modern method used in surgery allows you to perform without metal structure and wear gypsum.The doctor corrects the direction of the ligaments and the angle of the foot location.After correction, the recovery period and wearing compulsory orthopedic shoes.

Is it possible to cure completely deformation?

With timely appeals to experts and serious approaches to treatment, it is very possible to straighten squamous.At the same time, treatment should be started until the age of two, then to school, you can completely eliminate the curvature of the foot.In children over 2 years old and with lower leg deformation, it is difficult to cure the disease to the end, but you can improve the condition.

What are the consequences if you do not treat curvature?

Squamous feet in children will not be corrected on their own, so pathological symptoms cannot be ignored.This footprint leads to changes in the whole musculoskeletal system.Due to the unlimited load, there is a problem with the knee joint and coxofemoral, as well as with the spine.In children, not only the seizure of Gait, but also a physical activity that is impossible (walking, active game), as this causes pain and inflammation in the joints.

• Starting from a newborn, it is necessary to keep an eye on the baby's feet, check them for injury, do simple massage and gymnastics.Time to undergo a preventive examination in the orthopedis, and in its absence - in the surgeon.

• You can't put the baby too early on the feet - for the fragile muscles and joints, this is a huge burden.When he feels strength, he will try to get up, adhere to his support.For the same reason, the use of pedestrians and jumper is unwanted, at least for at least eight months.
• Special attention should be paid to Gait - it should be correct and appropriate for age.At least doubt, you should consult a specialist.
• Children's shoes should be of high quality, with small heels and orthopedic insole (we recommend reading: Insoles for children with flat feet).From seven months, when children start standing on their feet, it is recommended to wear lightweight slippers with hard backs, so the feet will be set in the right position, the burden on the muscles and joints will be distributed evenly.If there is a 1-2 degree stop deformation, it is advisable to buy orthopedic shoes at specialized stores and pharmacies.
• Prevention of rickets.Children need to spend enough time on the road, as vitamin D is formed in the skin under the influence of sunlight.For prevention, you can give children vitamin D in a dose prescribed by your doctor.It needs to provide a full and balanced diet.
• In the summer, it is useful for giving children to perform barefoot, small pebbles have a massage effect.At home, use a massage carpet with a variety of deviations daily for a few minutes.
• Exercises strengthen the musculoskeletal system and prevent flat foot development.If possible, you can record children for swimming or sports section (we recommend reading: How to swim for newborns in the bathroom or swimming pool?).