Foot valgus deformation in children

Parents must pay great attention to the physical development of their children in order to adjust the gaps over time.Valgus deformation of the foot in children is a frequent pathology.Although the defect is congenital or acquired, the diagnostic, prevention and correction methods are similar.

What is a valgus and a flat foot

Valgus

The term doctor of Valgus indicates any curvature of the joints within the conditional midline (axis), in which a marked deviation in the form of X is perceptible.The most pronounced example of pathology is the bones of the thumbs (hallux valgus).Valgus deformation, which is abbreviated as "valgus" (Sun) is the poor foot adjustment on the horizontal support.If the baby is one year puts the legs together, then the back is noticeable when the inner ankle was close to the opposite limb, and the heel moves outside.At the same time, a flat child is mainly based on the inner part (medial) of the foot.Consequently, the plantar region, so to speak, "look".A variety of the disease is a flat valgus foot (PV).It combines flat feet with an X -shaped curvature. In the baby, in addition to the deformation formation, the entire foot is gradually reframed.

Valgus curvature degree

The stage of negligence of the pathology is determined by the size of the angle of deviation of the heel compared to the median axis.

There are 4 degrees of illness:

  • I - Up to 15 °;
  • II - 15TIS19 °;
  • III - 20ui29 °;
  • IV - 30 ° or more.

1-2 Valgus deformation stage can be eliminated by conservative methods.With 3 degrees, prolonged treatment is necessary.At 4 steps, a surgical correction may be necessary.

Causes of deformation

There are three factors, following which there is a curvature of the foot: altered intrauterine development, chronic physical overload, diseases of the musculoskeletal system.These factors weaken ligaments, tendons, muscles, so that the foot is not fixed by them in a normal anatomical position.

The reasons for the acquired valgus, flat foot (code M21.0 in ICD-10):

  • Premature adjustment on the legs, when the baby's joints are not yet ready for such loads;
  • "Bad" shoes (narrow block with a thin high heel, without supinator).
  • Muscle hypotension, congenital myodistrophy;
  • Big weight, obesity;
  • rickets;
  • Neuromuscular diseases (polio, brain paralysis of children, polyneuropathy of various etiologies);
  • Congenital dislocation of the thigh and dysplasia of the hip joints;
  • trauma at the foot or the lower leg;
  • Long -term immobilization of the leg with gypsum, tutor or Freik pillow.

The congenital origin of the Valgus and Flat Valgus defect in the structure of the foot (Code Q66.6 in the CIM-10) can be due to injuries in the abdomen transferred by a pregnant woman or a genetic disease.Such a curvature can be seen immediately after birth, sometimes it manifests itself before the baby begins to walk.

How to determine the deformation of the stop

curvature

A change in the configuration of the lower limb is adjusted along the axis of the leg.This is the name of the conventional line, visually taken from the center of the hip joint through the knee, the ankle to the middle of the calcaneus.The standard implies the passage of the axis through the center of the joints which should not be moved from it to the right or the left.

Features

Among newborns, with the innate nature of the Valgus, it is immediately or in the first months of life.Most often, the signs of a valgus defect in children appear after a year and a half.The presence of the disease can be suspected by the baby's behavior and approach.Most often, general symptoms of the following pathology are found:

  • Increased flexibility of small joints;
  • decrease in the height of the entire sole;
  • The displacement of the center of gravity (when he tries to walk, the child only relies on the medial side of the foot, his outer edge can increase slightly);
  • Uncertain and mixing gait;
  • Quick physical fatigue, the need for rest, to give the baby to relax;
  • Regular complaints regarding the pain in the legs, the reluctance to walk;
  • Light swelling and redness of the skin in the foot and ankle;
  • Uneven wear of shoes, more expressed on the inside of the sole.

Methodology to identify the deformation

Methods of diagnostic defects include an examination with an orthopedic baby's foot, followed by the baby's management for an instrumental examination.It is made an X -ray of the feet in three projections to discover the degree of bone displacement.They also carry out a planetography to determine the height of the ardor and the degree of gravity of the flat feet.Using the post-assembled, the pressure center on the sole is calculated.This is an effective diagnostic method, because it allows you to identify the valgus deformations in the first stages.Sometimes, to clarify the results of the examination, an ultrasound of the foot is made.The visual signs of pathology are the only ones, slightly turned and raised in the lateral direction, the displacement of the heel, outside the midline.With a flat valgus deformation, the disappearance of the vault, the flattening of the foot is noted.To exclude the neurological causes of the defect, the orthopedist directs the child to a narrow specialist.

Correction methods

To eliminate the valgus, the main tasks are to give the foot of the correct position and the subsequent reinforcement of the ligaments attached to the tendons of the heel and the muscles.

Conservative joint fixing

With an innate defect, gypsum dressings or tutors are used.The purpose of the rigid fixing of the foot at the right angle is to eliminate the curvature by immobilization.Although the ossification is not finished, the tissues are elastic, so they lend themselves to such a correction.With the Valgus defect acquired, to turn the correct setting of the foot, orthopedic shoes are made to the child.This should not cause discomfort when used.A special insole has lateral steep supercinners, a soft pillow (pelotte) under the vault of the foot.These shoes are also recommended to be worn during rehabilitation after surgery and to consolidate treatment results.

A variety of soles with a valgus foot

Experts recommend ordering orthotics, shoes or soles for children in orthopedic salons depending on individual sizes and foot molds.The price of the product will be slightly higher, but use will give a more visible result.

Reinforcement of small joints

Valgus curvature

For the general hardening and the tonic muscles of the lower limbs, it is recommended to use contrasting foot baths.For this, the feet are soaked alternately in a container with cold and hot water.They start with a temperature of 36 ° C with a liquid, then this value is modified each week from 1 ° C gradually relating to a fork of 14 to 40 ° C.

It is useful to do the following exercises:

  • Alternative walking on socks, heels, interior and exterior edges of the sole;
  • Collect small objects, clutch of fabric or paper, drawing with your feet fingers;
  • Sking the ball sole on the ground;
  • a set of fingers exercises (extinction bending, reproduction and closure);
  • Walk on pebbles and an uneven surface.

The orthopedist can prescribe a lumbar column massage course, assigned by the lower limb or both legs.It is optimal to do it after heating with paraffin or an Ozokerian application.The muscles of the inner surface of the legs are acting by tonic massage movements (tapping, kneading).The exterior surface of the legs should be massaged with relaxing techniques - caresses, friction.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

If the deformation of the foot has caused an inflammation of the joint structures, the tendons of the muscles, the child is prescribed of electrophoresis with analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, magnetotherapy, a black wax application, paraffin and therapeutic mud.For selective muscle stimulation, diadynamic currents are used.

Surgical treatment

In early childhood, radical therapy methods are not used.But if the defect interferes with normal walking, the operation is carried out for young children.During the surgical intervention, doctors using metallic elements (titanium wire, screw, plates) fix a deformed seal in normal position.Surgeons can also strengthen the joint by moving the folk tendon or lengthening the Achilles tendon.After these operations, rehabilitation includes the use of orthopedic products, massage, physiotherapy and physiotherapy exercises.

Preventive measures

To avoid the valgus deformation of the foot, you must buy a comfortable child of the shoes corresponding to the size of the leg, the anatomical structure of the foot.How to choose - Watch the recommendations of E.O. Komarovsky on video.The doctor says about the disease that this is a frequent violation in children and to help correctly train the foot to train until the age of 12.The teenager probably needs an operation to correct the pronounced defect in the foot.The child must walk barefoot on the sand, the grass, walk a lot, eat completely.Domed sunbaths prevent ruchitism in children, which is one of the causes of the disease.Physical education, hardening of the body, regular reinforcement massage courses.Gymnastics for foot muscles is also important, including the creation of a leg pattern in the sand.Active outdoor games, swimming also contribute to strengthening muscles and ligaments in the lower limbs.All these measures prevent the development of feet defects.It is forbidden to put the legs of the child up to 7.5 gray p .8 months, when the joints and bones of the lower limbs have not yet been reinforced.It is unacceptable to miss the planned examinations of the pediatrician and narrow specialists, which allow you to identify the pathology at an early stage.

Doctors 'answers to parents' questions

How to warn the congenital deformation of the valgus?Unfortunately, the vice of the development of the musculoskeletal system cannot be avoided.Even if they have not found any gap in the hospital, the baby must be regularly inspected by a pediatrician, receive a massage, walk barefoot on an uneven but safe surface for the legs.At home, it is recommended to use a massage mat.The acquisition of high quality shoes also helps to set foot in the right position, to form a set of physiological heights.Such prevention will stop the progression of the even congenital valgus foot.

Which doctor treats pathology?

If necessary, the pediatrician directs the baby to the children's orthopedist, the traumatologist, the surgeon.

What is a variant foot?

Varus differences are the displacement of the heel bone inside the midline.In this case, the entire foot is made very high and the pressure center is moved to the outer edge of the sole.A defect is treated with the same methods as the deformation valgus, only the deviation angle is adjusted on the opposite side of the foot.

Foot valgus deformation in children: consequences and correction

The valgus deformation of the foot is a pathological change of the musculoskeletal system, in which the height of the entire foot decreases, and the axis of the lower limbs changes.

The defect can be congenital or develop in childhood, causing flat feet, a violation of the posture and other health problems.In general, it is adjusted in a conservative way, during a long therapy with the load, massages, physiotherapy.With regular work on the deformation, you can carry out an appropriate leg adjustment and a confident approach.

Flat valgus deformation in children-symptoms

This leg defect can be recognized by the following external signs:

  • The foot is strewn with the inner coast, the child rests on the inner part of the foot;
  • The heel and the fingers are deployed outside;
  • The middle part of the foot is flat or significantly lowered;
  • When the knees are reduced, the legs acquire an IX-Frow shape, the legs do not converge together, between them the distance of about 4 to 5 cm;
  • Uncertain and clumsy gait, the often stuck child, mixtures;
  • The child gets tired quickly on a walk.
Types of curves

When can a defect appear?

The arc of the foot begins to form from the moment when the baby tries to take the first steps.For infants, a flat foot is considered the norm.When you take a vertical position independently, children develop a musculoskeletal system, "get used to it with new functions.The bones and ligaments begin to feel loads, the foot is reinforced and takes the correct anatomical form.This usually occurs up to 1.5 years.If at this age the vaults remain flat, there is no form formed, the doctors define this as a deformation valgus of the foot.As a rule, violations are detected to medical examinations, but if the parents have independently noticed the above signs, you must immediately contact an orthopedic.If you start an adjustment as soon as possible, catering is faster and without serious consequences.

Conclusion

Parents must spend maximum time to prevention of baby development defects, including gymnastics, massage lessons and other recreational activities.If the deformation valgus of the foot in children is not eliminated by a conservative treatment, you must accept surgery to correct the shape of the foot.After all, the advanced pathology is responsible for the development of osteoarthritis, diseases of the spine and the shortening of the member.