Valgus deformity is a defect in the foot, which is characterized by a decrease in the height of its arches and an X-shaped curvature of the axis of the legs. In children, the disease manifests itself in the first year of life, especially when they begin to take their first steps. In most cases, valgus deformity is diagnosed by the appearance of the foot. It is important to identify the pathology in time and seek help from a specialist, then the treatment will be quick and effective.
- Causes Symptoms
- Degrees
- Diagnosis Treatment Implications
- Gymnastics
- Massage
- Orthopedic shoes and insoles
- Surgical treatment
- Physiotherapy
- Folk remedies
- Prevention
reasons
There are innate( true) and the acquired hallux valgus feet.
With , the true deformation of , the disruption and disposition of the bones of the distal lower limbs occurs during fetal development due to pregnancy pathologies or genetic defects. The most complex forms are called "rocking-stop" and "vertical battering ram".This defect is determined even in the hospital or in the first month of life of the child.
The acquired valgus deformity of the foot is a consequence of the imperfection of the ligamentous and tendinous apparatus of the child. Such a diagnosis is put by a pediatric orthopedist at the age of 10 to 15 months - when the baby takes the first steps the disease manifests itself most clearly.
The prerequisites for the emergence and development of the acquired form of the disease are:
- prematurity of the child;
- obesity and excessive load on the foot due to large body weight;
- rickets;
- frequent colds, pulmonary and / or bronchial diseases in early infancy;
- neuromuscular diseases( poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy, polyneuropathy, myodystrophy);
- hip dysplasia, congenital hip dislocation;
- trauma of the foot, ligaments, bones of the shin and prolonged fixation of the limb in the cast;
- early onset of the baby on the legs( 7-10 months);
- wearing poor quality shoes( soft, not matching the size of the toes of the baby, without fixation).
Symptoms
- X-shaped form of feet;
- the child comes only on the inner edge of the foot;
- clumsy gait;
- uncertain steps;
- fatigue from walking, pain in the legs and spine;
- shuffling his feet;
- swelling of the feet;
- uneven wear of shoes( the inner part of the sole is erased more strongly).
Degrees
The valgus deformity of the feet has4 stages of development:
- Stage 1 - angle of deviation varies within 10-15 degrees, it is easy to treat.
- Stage 2 - deviation from the norm by 15-20 degrees, requires intensive treatment.
- Stage 3 - the degree of deviation varies from 20 to 30, long-term therapy is needed( often several courses).
- Stage 4 - the most severe degree, which is characterized by a deviation of feet from the norm by more than 30 degrees. In this case, if the complex treatment did not bring the desired results, then it is necessary to eliminate the defect of the feet operatively.
Diagnostics
After a visual inspection of the foot, the orthopedic doctor will recommend one of the following diagnostic methods to confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of the illness:
- Podometry is a method of investigation, by means of which the distribution of load on various parts of the foot is evaluated.
- X-ray - is carried out in 3 projections, so that you can see the changes in the positions of the stops relative to each other.
- Computer planography - calculates the morphological parameters of the foot.
In some cases, additional joint ultrasound is required. To exclude the acquired or congenital abnormalities of the central nervous system, a doctor can prescribe an examination from a neurologist. You also need to visit a surgeon and endocrinologist.
to contents ^Consequences of
Deformation can cause the following pathologies:
- curvature of the spine;
- arthrosis and osteochondrosis;
- flat feet;
- violation of the shape of the pelvic bones;
- pathological changes in ankle and knee joints;
- shortening of limbs;
- violation of posture.
Severe stage of the disease - one of the main causes of disability already in childhood. If the pathology is poorly expressed, and the therapeutic measures were timely and adequate, then the disease can be eliminated and the correct functionality of the limbs can be completely restored.
to table of contents ^Treatment of
Therapy for valgus deformation of feet is carried out by a whole complex of measures.
to the table of contents ^Gymnastics
At home, it is recommended 2-3 times a day to perform the following set of exercises for the feet:
- "Bear-faced" - walking on the outside of the foot, reminiscent of the gait of the bears.
- Walking barefoot on uneven surfaces, for example, stones, sand, grass. Also, special massage mats are suitable for this.
- Walking on a board or cloth up to 15 centimeters wide, without leaving the edges. On the street for this you can use a curb.
- Grab small items from the floor with your toes. If the kid can not perform this exercise on his own, then the parents can help.
- Squatting. During this exercise, you need to ensure that the surface of the child's feet does not come off the floor.
- Walking on socks.
- Sitting in the lotus position.
- Massage the baby's feet with a spiny ball.
In addition to therapeutic gymnastics, it is also useful to swim 2-3 times a week.
to table of contents ^Massage
The correct functioning of the ankle and knee joints depends on the condition of the surrounding muscles. With the help of massage and exercise therapy strengthened stretched and relaxed muscles relax relaxed. Massage should be conducted in courses of 10-20 sessions every day or every other day, with breaks between courses 2-3 months.
Orthopedic footwear and insoles
An important step in the treatment of valgus deformation of the foot. Shoes and insoles fix the baby's feet in the correct position, not allowing them to bend. They prevent further development of the disease and help in complex therapy.
In addition to shoes and insoles, the doctor in the process of treatment can prescribe special inserts in shoes, fixators, insteps, screeds, finger correctors, bandage, which lead the foot into a physiologically correct position.
to the table of contents ^Surgical treatment of
It is carried out quite rarely, only in case of ineffectiveness of all the medical measures carried out.
- Dobbs method - manual correction of feet with subsequent application of gypsum( orthopedic tires).To eliminate the deformity, it is required to undergo at least 6 sessions, performed once every 6-7 days, after each procedure the foot is gradually leveled. Gypsum is imposed from the middle third of the thigh and to the entire foot, the knee is in this case bent at an angle of 90 degrees. At the last session, the doctor with the help of Kirschner's knee stabilizes the talon-navicular joint in the required position. After the course of treatment and removal of gypsum to prevent recurrence, it is recommended to wear braces( special shoes exposed and fixed at an angle on the plate).In the first 2-3 weeks of therapy, braces should be worn constantly, then they can be worn during day and night sleep. The children treated with the Dobbs method in the future require special footwear with the support of the arch. Rehabilitation after surgery in this case, on average, lasts about 6 months.
- The arthrodetic intervention is aimed at creating a fixed joint between the calcaneus and the talus, which allows the muscles of the inner arch to be strengthened. After the operation to remove the deformity, the child can feel pain when walking, so it is rarely used.
- Minimally invasive surgical intervention. During the operation, the angle between some bones of the foot is changed, thereby increasing the tension of the ligament apparatus. The child is restored quickly: one day after the operation he can walk alone, and the probability of complications and relapses is very low.
Physiotherapy
It is used in the treatment of valgus and flat valgus deformation as an additional method that helps to activate metabolic processes in tissues and improve the intake of useful substances in them.
When deformities of the feet in children are mainly recommended:
- Electrophoresis is a combined method of therapy, often performed with a drug substance( for example, calcium), which is introduced into the body through a current.
- Electrostimulation of the feet and tibia is a method of treatment aimed at eliminating the pain syndrome and restoring muscle activity.
- Application of paraffin, therapeutic mud or ozocerite is used as warming compresses, after which massage is done.
- Magnetotherapy - physiotherapy is performed by means of a magnetic pulse that accelerates blood circulation in certain areas, reduces pain syndrome, and has anti-inflammatory effect.
Folk remedies
- Salt baths. In the basin pour about 10 liters of warm water and dissolve in it 1/3 cup of salt. In salt water soar the baby's legs for 20 minutes. Therapeutic measures should be performed every other day, the course of therapy is 15 procedures. It is recommended to repeat every 4 months.
- Paraffin wraps at home. Manipulations are carried out along the entire length of the foot, imitating a tall boot. Paraffin can be purchased at the pharmacy. On the steam bath, melt the paraffin, apply it on the cheesecloth and wrap the baby's feet. The duration of the procedure is 10 minutes, it is recommended to repeat every day for 10 days.
Prevention of
To avoid the development of valgus deformities of the foot, it is necessary:
- To exclude excessive load on the child's legs for up to 11 months.
- Observe physical activity and rest.
- Do gymnastics and preventive massage.
- Follow the full nutrition of the child. The menu should be with enough micronutrients, proteins and vitamin D.
In addition, the toddler shoes should be with a firm support and strictly comply with the desired size. Wearing too loose or cramped shoes in most cases leads to various pathologies of leg development and the musculoskeletal system as a whole. Also, scheduled examinations are required from the surgeon, neurologist and orthopedist.