Deviations in the development of the feet have about 40% of children under the age of 4.5-5 years. In most situations, children are diagnosed with valgus deformity. With this pathology, the baby's feet are flat and seem to fall into each other. The external sides of the feet are slightly raised. If you look at the baby's legs from above, they form the letter X.
Valgus foot deformities in children - causes
This deviation occurs due to insufficiently developed ligaments in the soles of the feet. Under the influence of the gravity of the body they deform, the bones are displaced and bend. Valgus foot in the child is formed for many reasons, which are conditionally divided into 2 groups:
- congenital;
- acquired.
Congenital valgus deformation of the foot
The problem develops in the period of intrauterine formation of the fetal limbs. Flat-valgus foot occurs due to improper location and growth of bones. Less often, it bends against the background of intrauterine damages and joint dysplasia. Valgus deformation of the foot in newborns is diagnosed immediately after birth 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 deformation of feet
This type of pathology arises from external causes that affect the musculoskeletal system. First, the valgus deformity in children is not very noticeable. Expressed signs of the problem are observed at the age of 10-12 months, when the baby tries to walk alone. Flat-valgus stop in a child of the acquired type develops for the following reasons:
- prematurity ;
- weakness of connective tissue;
- severe infections, transferred at an early age ( bronchitis , pneumonia, SARS, and others);
- intrauterine malnutrition of muscles;
- rickets ;
- myodystrophy;
- poliomyelitis ;
- cerebral paralysis;
- polyneuropathy;
- mechanical injuries and fractures of limbs with a prolonged wearing of the cast;
- obesity;
- too early setting the baby on the legs, premature attempts to teach him to walk;
- improper selection of shoes;
- low mobility;
- deficiency of calcium in the body;
- unbalanced, meager nutrition;
- endocrine diseases.
Signs of valgus foot in children
The early symptoms of the described impairment are visible closer to the first year of the child's life. Parents notice that the kid during walking does not rely on the entire foot, but only on its inner part. Differences of altered feet from healthy legs are clearly shown in the photo below. The signs of pathology depend on the degree of valgus deformation of the foot in children:
- An easy stage is characterized by flattening of the legs without significant tumbling of the feet. The angle of deflection of the ankles from a straight line perpendicular to the heel is up to 15 degrees.
- Valgus deformation of the foot in children of moderate severity is also accompanied by a flattening of the feet, but they are littered inward by 15-20 degrees.
- The severe degree of the disease combines a pronounced flat foot and a large angle of deflection of the ankles - 20-30 degrees.
- An extremely severe stage is characterized by a strong flattening of the arch of the feet. An ankle is more than 30 degrees sunken.
Nonspecific symptoms of defect development:
- clumsy, shuffling gait;
- fast fatigue during running and active games;
- unpleasant sensations in the region of the shins;
- capriciousness, irritability of the baby.
Valgus deformity of foot in children - treatment
The methods of therapy are selected individually for each child in accordance with the degree of pathology. There are 2 options with which to correct flat-valgus deformities of the feet in children - the treatment can be performed by non-surgical and operating methods. In the first case, therapy involves wearing special orthopedic insoles and shoes, massage, physical therapy. Surgical intervention is very rarely prescribed (about 7% of babies), when the standard approach does not work or the disease is diagnosed already in a difficult stage.
Orthopedic shoes for children with valgus deformity
Shoes and sandals to the child with the problem under consideration are made only to order. Orthopedic shoes with valgus deformity are made by individual casts or exact measurements, which the doctor does. It is undesirable to buy such products independently. Mass production of shoes is performed on the average parameters that do not correspond to a specific angle of deviation and flattening of the feet.
With the help of one pair of sandals or shoes, the valgus stop is not corrected in the child - the treatment involves their long wearing. The growth of the legs and the gradual restoration of their shape requires the timely replacement of shoes. You can not buy it for the future or wear small sizes. The toes of the baby should be firmly fixed in the lower part of the shin, the area of the heel and the sock.
Insoles for valgus foot deformities in children
These accessories are made, like shoes, strictly individually. Correct treatment of valgus deformation of the foot goes through several stages from difficult to simple. The size, shape of the insoles and the thickness of the arch support should be selected in accordance with the degree of flattening of each foot and the angle of its deviation. Minor valgus deformity of the foot in children is corrected quickly, it will take 3-5 pairs of devices considered. With moderate to severe disease, it is often necessary to change the insole for several years.
Massage with valgus deformities of the foot in children
Manual therapy plays a very important role in the treatment of pathology. The procedure should be performed by a qualified specialist. Parents can independently carry out massage with valgus deformity only after training with the manual therapist. Manipulation involves working on the muscles:
- back;
- sacrum and waist;
- buttocks;
- hips;
- shins;
- front surface of the legs.
During the massage, passive medical movements of the joints are performed in parallel. Correctly conducted course of procedures contributes:
- improvement of nerve conduction;
- normalization of foot mobility;
- strengthening of the muscular corset;
- raising the general tone of the body.
Massage pad with valgus foot for children
This accessory is used as an auxiliary manual therapy. The relief mat helps:
- adjust the height of the arch of the foot;
- increase blood circulation;
- increase the flexibility and mobility of the feet;
- to get rid of painful sensations while walking and running.
The size of irregularities and protrusions on the accessory is selected depending on the age of the crumb and the speed with which flat-valgus deformation progresses. For children under 3 years old it is better to buy a rug with small and small elements, located close to each other. A child older than that age can be suggested to run along a more relief surface with large irregularities simulating shells or sea stones.
LFK with valgus deformities of the foot in children
The gym should be recommended by a rehabilitator or orthopedist in accordance with the degree of pathology, age and abilities of the child. It is desirable that the main treatment of valgus deformity with the help of physical training be conducted under the guidance of a specialist. At home, you can perform simple gymnastics, offering the kid lessons in a playful form. Easy exercises with valgus foot deformities in children:
- walking on stones, small balls, rope ladder;
- the capture of small objects by the toes of the feet - a pencil, a handkerchief, coins;
- roll-over of the rolling pin, ball;
- drawing with your toes;
- "Goose step" - moving, squatting;
- walking with support on the outer and inner side of the foot, on toes, heels;
- "Crocodile" - the child goes on his hands, parents hold his legs;
- squats from a standing position (across) on a gymnastic stick (can be replaced by a squeegee).
Valgus deformity of the foot - operation
The optimal age for surgical intervention is 8-12 years. The operation is appointed if a flat-valgus deformity of the extremely heavy-footed foot is diagnosed with a deviation angle of more than 30 degrees. The surgeon individually selects the most safe and minimally invasive methods of treatment. The valgus deformation of the foot in children is corrected by the following types of operations:
- strengthening the tendon of the posterior tibial muscle;
- subtalar arthroesis;
- lengthening of the Achilles tendon;
- step-by-step application of external fixation devices.