Deviations in the development of the feet have about 40% of babies under the age of 4.5-5 years.In most situations, children are diagnosed with valgus deformation.With this pathology, the child’s foot is flat and seem to fall inward, to each other.The outer sides of the feet are slightly raised.If you look at the baby's feet from above, they form the letter H.
Valgus deformation of the foot in children - causes
The deviation under consideration occurs due to insufficiently developed ligaments in the feet.Under the influence of the severity of the body, they are deformed, the bones are displaced and bend.The child’s valgus foot is formed for many reasons that are conditionally divided into 2 groups:
- congenital;
- Acquired.
Congenital valgus deformation of the foot
The problem develops during the period of intrauterine formation of the limbs of the fetus.The flat-valgus foot occurs due to the improper location and growth of bones.Less commonly, it bends against the background of intrauterine damage and joint dysplasia.The valgus deformation of the foot in newborn children is diagnosed immediately after childbirth or during the first months of the baby's life.At this stage, it is easy to adjust the shape of the foot, restore its height and correct bends.
Acquired strain deformation
This type of pathology occurs for external reasons affecting the musculoskeletal system.At first, valgus deformation in children is not too noticeable.Expressed signs of the problem are observed at the age of 10-12 months, when the baby tries to walk on his own.A flat-walgus foot in a child of the acquired type develops for the following reasons:
- non -prematureness;
- weakness of connective tissues;
- severe infections transferred at an early age (bronchitis, pneumonia, acute respiratory viral infections and others);
- intrauterine muscle hypotrophy;
- rickets;
- myodistrophy;
- polio;
- cerebral paralysis;
- polyneuropathy;
- mechanical injuries and fractures of limbs with long -term wearing gypsum dressing;
- obesity;
- The baby’s too early setting on the legs, premature attempts to teach him to walk;
- improper selection of shoes;
- Small mobility;
- Calcium deficiency in the body;
- unbalanced, meager nutrition;
- Endocrine diseases.
Signs of valgus foot in children
Early symptoms of the described violation are visible closer to the first year of the child’s life.Parents notice that the baby is not based on the entire foot during walking, but only on its inside.The differences between the altered feet and healthy legs are clearly shown in the photo below.Signs of pathology depend on the degree of valgus deformation of the foot in children:
- The light stage is characterized by flattening of the legs without a significant Minabantur foot.The angle of deviation of the ankles from a straight line, a perpendicular heel, is up to 15 degrees.
- Valgus deformation of the foot in children of moderate severity is also accompanied by flattening of the feet, but they are littered with 15-20 degrees.
- A severe degree of disease combines pronounced flat feet and a large angle of the ankle deviation-20-30 degrees.
- Extremely severe stage is characterized by a strong flattening of the vault of the feet.Minabantur ankles exceeds an angle of 30 degrees.
Non -specific symptoms of defect development:
- clumsy, shuffling gait;
- fatigue during running and active games;
- unpleasant sensations in the area of the legs;
- The moodiness, irritability of the baby.
Valgus deformation of the foot in children - treatment
Methods of therapy are selected individually for each child in accordance with the degree of pathology.There are 2 options by which flat-valgus deformation of the feet is adjusted-treatment can be carried out not by surgical and operational methods.In the first case, therapy involves the wearing of special orthopedic insoles and shoes, massage, physiotherapy exercises.Surgical intervention is very rare (approximately 7% of the kids), when the standard approach does not work or the disease is diagnosed already in a severe stage.
Orthopedic shoes for children with valgus deformation
The boots and sandals to the child with the problem under consideration are made only to order.Orthopedic shoes for valgus deformation are made according to individual mittit or accurate measurements that the doctor does.It is undesirable to purchase such products yourself.The mass production of shoes is carried out according to the average parameters that does not correspond to the specific corner of the deviation and flattening of the feet.
With the help of one pair of sandals or boots, the valgus foot in the child is not corrected - treatment involves their long -term wearing.The growth of legs and the gradual restoration of their shape requires timely replacement of shoes.You can’t buy it for the future or wear small sizes.The baby's feet should be rigidly fixed in the lower part of the lower leg, heel and sock.
Insoles with valgus deformation of the foot in children
These accessories are made, like shoes, strictly individually.Proper treatment of valgus deformation of the foot passes several stages from complicated to simple.The size, shape of the spinator should be selected in accordance with the degree of flattening of each foot and the angle of its deviation.A slight valgus deformation of the foot in children is corrected quickly, 3-5 pairs of devices under consideration will be required.With an average and severe degree of the disease, it will often have to be changed insoles for several years.
Massage with valgus deformation of the foot in children
Manual therapy plays a very important role in the treatment of pathology.The procedures should be performed by a qualified specialist.Parents can independently massage with valgus deformation only after training with a manual therapist.Manipulations include work on the muscles:
- backs;
- sacrifice and lower back;
- butt;
- hips;
- goals;
- front surface of the legs.
During the massage, passive therapeutic joint movements are simultaneously performed.A correctly carried out course of procedures contributes to:
- improving nerves conduction;
- normalizing the mobility of the feet;
- strengthening the muscle corset;
- Raising the general tone of the body.
Massage rug with a valgus foot for children
This accessory is used as auxiliary manual therapy.The embossed rug helps:
- adjust the height of the arch of the foot;
- enhance blood circulation;
- increase the flexibility and mobility of the feet;
- Get rid of pain during walking and running.
The size of irregularities and protrusions at the accessory is selected depending on the age of the crumb and speed at which flat-valgus deformation progresses.For children under 3 years old it is better to purchase a rug with low and small elements located close to each other.A child older than the indicated age can be offered to run along a more embossed surface with large irregularities imitating shells or sea stones.
Exercise therapy for valgus deformation of the foot in children
The gymnastic complex should recommend an orthopedist in accordance with the degree of pathology, age and capabilities of the child.It is desirable that the main treatment of valgus deformation with physical education is carried out under the guidance of a specialist.At home, you can perform simple gymnastics, offering the baby classes in a playful way.Easy exercises with valgus deformation of the foot in children:
- walking on stones, small balls, a staircase from a rope;
- capture with the fingers of the legs of small objects - pencil, scarf, coins;
- rollering in the feet of a rolling pin, ball;
- painting with thumbs;
- “Goose step” - movement, squatting;
- walking with support on the outer and inside of the foot, on socks, heels;
- “Crocodile” - the child goes in his arms, his parents hold his legs;
- Squats from a standing position (across) on a gymnastic stick (can be replaced with a mop).
Valgus deformation of the foot - operation
The optimal age for surgical intervention is considered 8-12 years.The operation is prescribed if the flat-valgus deformation of the feet of extremely severe degree with an angle of deviation of more than 30 degrees is diagnosed.The surgeon individually selects the most safe and minimally invasive methods of treatment.The valgus deformation of the foot in children is adjusted by the following types of operations:
- strengthening the tendon of the posterior tibial muscle;
- Tugged artro -erez;
- lengthening of the Achilles tendon;
- Phased imposition of external fixation devices.