Valgus deformation of the foot in children is a pathology in which the distance between the internal sides of the ankles is 4-5 cm or more during tight compression and straightening of the legs.At the same time, the heel, along with the fingers, deviates to the outside, and the inner arches of the feet seem to be flooded inward.
In the orthopedics, such a curvature of the legs is called X-shaped (with varus deformation of the feet, on the contrary, an o-shaped curvature is observed).If, against the background of valgus deformation, a decrease in the height of the arches of the feet is noted, they say that this is a flat-valgus deformation.
Typically, parents are noticeable for the valgus deformation of the foot in their child, when he performs seven to eight months-for this period the first attempts of independent walking are in.If you look at the photo of the flat-valgus deformation of the feet, you can notice that the legs are bent in the knee joints, the heels “look” upward, and the distance between the feet is quite large, they “fall” inside.
Classification
In medicine, three degrees of severity of valgus anomaly are distinguished:
- Light.The angle of height of the arch is less than 140 °, the height of the longitudinal arch of the stop is about 15-20 mm, the valgus position of the back of the foot is about 10 °, the front section of the foot is allotted by 8-10 °, the heel bone is tilted by 15 °.
- Average.The height of the arch in the second degree of valgus deformation of the foot in children is 150-160 °, the height of the longitudinal vault is 10 mm, the heel bone is tilted by 10 °, the valgus position of the back of the foot and the abduction of the front vault is not more than 15 °.
- Heavy (footstorm).The height of the vault is from 0 to 5 mm, the angle of inclination of the calcaneus is from 0 to 5 °, the angle of the vaulting of the arch exceeds 160-180 °, the position of the rear section and the lead of the front section is more than 20 °.The child complains of constant pain in the joint.Severe severity of deformation is not amenable to complete correction.
There is another classification of valgus deformation of the feet, which is based on the cause of the disease:
- Compensatory (caused by a shortened Achilles tendon).
- Structural (due to the innate irregular position of the ram bone).
- Spastic (is a consequence of muscle cramps that occur due to disorders in the work of the cerebral cortex).
- Correctional hyper (caused by illiterate treatment of children's curvature of the foot).
- Rachitic (manifests itself in children with rickets).
- Paralytic (complication of encephalitis or polio).
- Traumatic (caused by a fracture of the bones of the ankle joint, rupture of the ligaments).
Causes of valgus deformation of the feet in children
Valgus deformation of the foot is congenital and acquired.In the first case, the causes of the disease are associated with intrauterine violation of the location/shape of the bones.The diagnosis is made in infancy.
The acquired form of the valgus anomaly is not caused by the ended tendons, as well as deviations in the development of the musculoskeletal system.Typically, the diagnosis of “valgus deformation of the stop” is made by eight month old children or when a small patient is 1 year old.The deviation is most often formed in weakened children with muscle hypotension.
Among the most common causes of valgus deformation of the foot in the child:
- non -prematureness;
- intrauterine hypotrophy;
- frequent diseases with bronchitis, acute respiratory viral infections, pneumonia;
- congenital weakness of connective tissues;
- rickets;
- injuries of ligaments, bones of the lower leg, muscles;
- long stay in gypsum;
- Children's obesity;
- too early setting the child on the legs;
- Wearing poor -quality/incorrectly selected shoes.
Also, the valgus anomaly arises as a result:
- Cerebral palsy;
- polyneuropathy;
- osteoporosis;
- dysplasia;
- endocrine and genetic disorders;
- congenital dislocation of the thigh;
- polio;
- Muscularis Dystrophia.
Symptoms of valgus deformation
Symptoms of valgus deformation of the foot in children include:
- While walking, the child does not step on the entire foot, but only on its inner edge (the legs are “flooded” inward).
- Legs acquire a X-shaped shape.
- The gait becomes awkward.
- The child complains of pain in the legs, back.
- In the evenings, a swelling of the feet is possible, cramps.
- The shoes that the child wears is torn unevenly - first of all, the inner side of the sole wears out.
If you find similar symptoms in yourself, see a doctor immediately.It is easier to prevent the disease than to deal with the consequences.
Diagnostics
To make such a diagnosis as the valgus deformation of the stop, the doctor traumatologist-orthopedist examines the child and prescribes a special examination to him:
- podometre (the method evaluates the distribution of the load on certain departments of the feet);
- computer Plantography (allows you to calculate the morphological parameters of the feet);
- radiography (makes it possible to study changes in the position of the feet relative to each other).
In some cases, additional ultrasound of the joints is required.To exclude the connection of valgus deformation with diseases of the central/peripheral nervous system, the child is directed to a children's neurologist.
How the valgus deformation of the feet in children is treated
The treatment of valgus deformation of the feet in children is aimed at normalizing the shape of the feet, restoring their functions, strengthening the ligamentous and muscle apparatus.In case of congenital form of the disease, a children's orthopedist can prescribe the wearing of a gypsum dressing.Conservative treatment also includes:
- Night baths.Improve muscle tone, ligaments.For the preparation of the bath, it is necessary to dissolve 1/3 cup of sea salt in 10 liters of warm water.Plant the child in the solution to the waist for 20 minutes.Sessions are held every other day.One course includes 15 procedures.Repeat the treatment every 4 months.
- Massage.Massage with valgus deformation of the foot in children is one of the most important points of treatment.It should be done by a qualified specialist.
- Mud and ozotoceros applications.
- Paraffin therapy.Paraffin wrap is made only on the foot or in the form of a boot.Heating improves blood circulation, ligaments.
- Acupuncture.
- Electric stimulation of the muscles of the foot and lower leg.Promotes muscle strengthening.
- Electrophoresis, magnetotherapy.
- Exercise therapy.LFK with valgus deformation of the foot is carried out daily.Properly selected exercises can improve the flexibility of the ligaments, muscle strength, increase joint mobility, normalize tissue metabolism, blood circulation.
To correct the valgus deformation of the feet, children must wear special shoes with hard side fixation of the heels and feet, use individual functional insoles.As for sports, you can ride a bicycle with valgus anomaly, swim.
The disease resort to surgical treatment in extreme cases (7%) if all conservative medical measures are ineffective.It can be:
- Arthrodesis operations.Provide the motionless joint between the heel and talus bones, due to which the muscles of the inner arch intensify.
- Surgical intervention.The manual correction of the stop of the child is carried out, after which gypsum is superimposed.Sessions are held once a week.After each of them, the foot changes its position.The doctor applies gypsum to the entire foot (starting from the middle third of the thigh).At the same time, the knee is bent at an angle of ninety degrees.At the last session, the doctor fixes the Talus-Navicular joint in the right position, introducing the Kirschner knitting needle through the skin.Then he dresses gypsum for two months.
- Children who have undergone the treatment of valgus deformation of the feet with the help of surgery should always wear special orthopedic shoes that support the arches of the feet.
- Small invasive operations that change the angle between the individual bones of the foot, due to which the tension of the ligamentous apparatus increases.
Danger
If the degree of deformation is mild, a complete recovery is possible.A severe degree of valgus deformation is not an ordinary cosmetic defect.The disease causes serious functional impaired limbs, which can lead to disability.
The absence of competent treatment of anomaly can cause:
- flat feet;
- constant pain in the legs;
- osteochondrosis;
- arthrosis;
- shortening of the limbs;
- violation of posture (scoliosis);
- deformation of the pelvis, ankle and knee joints.
Risk group
The greatest risk of getting sick with valgus deformation occurs if parents put the child early on their feet (up to 9 months), buy him poor -quality shoes or the size is incorrectly selected.Also, babies suffering from rickets, having a genetic predisposition to curvature, are also prone to pathology.
Prevention of valgus deformation of the foot
The prevention of the disease includes the following points:
- You should not put the child on his feet for up to 9 months.
- Exclude the development of rickets (preventive intake of vitamin D).
- Buy shoes with orthopedic insoles.The backdrop of children's boots should be 3-4 cm higher than the heel.The sole should bend well.A prerequisite is the presence of an supervisor.
- Massage the feet.
Also, you should not ignore the scheduled examinations of an orthopedist, surgeon, neurologist.At the age of 1 month, the doctor can diagnose the presence of congenital diseases of the skeleton, in 3 and 6 months to exclude the development of rickets, at 1 year to evaluate the volume of joint movements, the correctness of vertebral bends, at 3 years - check the staging, posture, and measure the length of the limbs.
It is impossible to quickly recover with the diagnosis of valgus deformation.Parents will be able to evaluate the first results no earlier than six months after the beginning of conservative therapy.
This article is posted exclusively for cognitive purposes and is not a scientific material or professional medical council.