Longitudinal and transverse platypodia: symptoms and treatment, photo. Flat-footedness - what is it?

The foot is one of the main links of the body's support. Its area is about 1% of the entire surface of the body. However, it is the main load that is equal to the mass of the human body. The foot performs several functions: cushioning, supporting, balancing. Under the influence of certain factors, its arch is deformed, a disease such as flatfoot develops. As a result, the sole loses its cushioning characteristics, which is accompanied by unpleasant complications.

Flat-footedness - what is it?

The human foot consists of 26 bones. They are interconnected by joints and ligaments, the movement of which is controlled by tendons and muscles. In a healthy person, the foot has 2 arches: transverse and longitudinal. They are located in the base of the fingers and the inner edge of the sole. When walking, a person does not fully rely on the foot. As a rule, three points are involved: the calcaneus, the region of the base of the little finger and the thumb. If the ligament and foot muscles are weakened, its shape begins to change. It gradually becomes flat. When walking, a person is forced to rely solely on the surface. As a result, the damping properties deteriorate, flat feet develop. A photo of a foot deformation is presented in this article.

Vaults function as springs or levers, providing comfortable movement with minimal consequences for the body. Damage to this link entails a disruption to the operation of the whole system. The organism, as is known, is a single whole. Any changes in the operation of one system necessarily affect the functioning of the other. Flattening can lead to damage to the femoral and knee joints, deformation of the spine. If the stop does not cope with its functions, they go to the structures above. The spine, knee and hip joints are not adapted to such a load, so they quickly fail.

Classification of the disease

The foot has two arches. Therefore, it is quite justified to isolate the forms of the disease - longitudinal and transverse flatfoot. Symptoms and treatment of each are discussed below. There is also a mixed (combined) variant of the disease.

Classification of the disease by species also provides for the isolation of acquired and congenital flat feet. The first case is extremely rare and is the result of abnormal fetal development. Acquired flat feet can occur at any age. It, in turn, is divided into several subspecies:

• Static (arises from a decrease in muscle tone);
• Rachitic (as a result of vitamin D deficiency in the body, the muscular apparatus is weakened);
• Paralytic (develops against the background of the transferred poliomyelitis);
• Traumatic (appears as a result of injuries and fractures of bones).

Symptoms of flat feet

What signs need to be paid attention in order to prevent flat feet in time? Symptoms of this disease appear gradually. The very first sign of it is severe pain in the legs at the end of a day's work. In the evening, the soles and shins swell, cramps appear. It becomes difficult for women to walk on their heels. Because of the increase in foot from the old shoes, you have to give up and buy a new one, but a larger one. Gradually the pain syndrome spreads higher, passes to the knee and hip joints. Such signs are characterized not only by flat feet. Symptoms of a similar nature are observed with varicose veins. But treatment for this disease requires a completely different.

To calm yourself, you can conduct a simple test at home. For this, place the soles of your feet with a coloring agent (for example, greenery or iodine). Then leave a print on the sheet of paper so that the load on the foot is uniform. After this, draw a line parallel to the plantar notch from the heel to the toes. Place the perpendicular in the deepest part to the outer edge of the foot. If the print of the bottleneck of the sole occupies not less than half of the perpendicular to the first line, you have a flat foot. A photo of the example scheme is presented below.

Causes of pathological process

Flattening is a serious disease characterized by deformation of the foot. In ordinary life, no one pays attention to this defect. Know the characteristics of the disease is in order to take timely measures to correct it. The causes of the disease can be both external and internal. Given the rhythm of modern life and a disparaging attitude towards one's own wardrobe, sometimes flat feet have a mixed aetiology. Even everyone's favorite sneakers can trigger deformation of the foot. Why? The sole of the sneakers is provided with excellent shock absorption. They take on all the load, fixing the heel. As a result, muscles relax, all conditions are created for the development of such a problem as flat feet. What is a flatfoot, how it arises, is now clear.

Returning to the internal causes of the disease, it is worth noting a number of provocative factors. First of all, this is the presence of concomitant ailments. Among them, rheumatoid arthritis is an honorable place. It affects not only the cartilage, but also the ligaments, which are responsible for supporting the foot. Injuries and mechanical injuries of the foot also contribute to the development of a foot defect.

The impact of external factors is easily prevented if you take care of your own health and carefully approach the choice of shoes. Among the exogenous causes of flatfoot can be attributed the following:

• Excessive physical activity;
• Insufficient activity due to work;
• Hormonal disorders, pregnancy;
• Incorrectly selected shoes.

Longitudinal flat feet

With this form of the disease, the length of the foot increases due to the lowering of the longitudinal arch. As a result, the sole completely touches the floor. In the role of the main sign of deformation is the narrowing of the gap between the inner edge of the foot and the surface of the floor itself. In patients with this diagnosis, clubfoot develops over time.

There are three degrees of longitudinal flattening:

1. At the first stage of the disease there is no visible deformation. Discomfort in the legs appears after prolonged exertion. When pressing, pain occurs.
2. The second degree is characterized by a change in the arch of the foot. Painful discomfort intensifies and spreads to the ankles and legs. Muscles gradually lose their elasticity.
3. The third degree of the disease is marked by a pronounced deformation of the foot. Painful sensations in the legs do not pass even by evening. There is discomfort in the lower back, decreased ability to work. A person with a diagnosis of "flat third-degree flat feet" is difficult to walk in ordinary shoes.

Transverse Platypodia

With this form of the disease, the length of the foot decreases, the thumb is deflected, and the middle finger is deformed. It takes on a hammerlike appearance. At the base of the first finger appears a small seal in the form of a cone.

There are three degrees of transverse form of flatfoot. Their differences are due to the angle of the deviation of the big toe.

1. The first degree is a slightly expressed transverse flatfoot. Symptoms of the disease manifest themselves as it progresses. The deviation of the thumb does not exceed 20 degrees. After exercise, painful discomfort appears. On the foot, there are clearly visible burrs in the area of 2 to 4 fingers.
2. At the second degree, the deflection angle is already 35 degrees. With a load, a burning sensation occurs in the area of the sole, the pods increase in size.
3. The third degree of ailment is characterized by constant pain. The deflection angle exceeds 35 degrees. Some patients develop bursitis. This disease, accompanied by inflammation of the periarticular bag.

Separately consider mixed flatfoot. What is the longitudinal and transverse platypodia, we have already considered, and this pathology is accompanied by the symptomatology, which is typical for both species. The manifestation of signs of a mixed form is more pronounced.

What is the difference between the flat feet of children?

The leg of a child under five years old is a weak structure that is in the stage of formation. Therefore, the parents are given a great responsibility. They must prevent the disease, recognize it in time and begin treatment.

Children rarely talk about health problems. If they try to hint, parents do not pay attention to them. Children lead an active lifestyle, are in constant movement, which is usually accompanied by fatigue. But there are certain points that parents should pay attention to:

• Flattening of arches of feet;
• Uneven worn shoes;
• Complaints of the child to the pain in the legs after moving games.

If the child's gait changed, he began to move less, it is necessary to consult an orthopedic doctor. An experienced specialist can recognize flat feet at an early stage. Symptoms and treatment of this disease in children practically do not differ from those in adults. Its unique feature is the reversibility of the pathological process. Gradual maturation of the child is accompanied by a natural cure for the disease. The foot is formed up to 13 years. During this period, it is necessary to focus on physical activity (running, walking). As a result, the muscles will begin to develop harmoniously, and the foot will get the right outlines.

Medical Examination

Flattening in adults and children can be determined on the basis of clinical symptoms of the disease. To assess the degree of the pathological process requires a serious examination of the patient. It includes several items. It:

1. Plantography allows you to determine the severity of the pathological process with the help of prints. For this, a solution of methylene blue is applied to the feet. Then make prints on a blank sheet of paper. Plantography gives approximate data on the state of the arches.
2. Friedland's method of submetry makes it possible to estimate the percentage ratio of the height of the foot to its length.
3. The clinical method is based on the construction of a special triangle. Its base is equal to the distance from the metatarsal head to the heel of the heel. The vertex of the triangle is located in the center. The first leg extends to the highest point of the calcaneus, the second - to the head of the metatarsus. Normally, the height of the arch should not exceed 60 cm.
4. The X-ray method is also based on the construction of a triangle, but in this case the angle at the vertex is measured. This parameter should not exceed 130 degrees.

Based on the results of the examination, the orthopedic doctor can confirm the diagnosis and give advice on the treatment.

With flat feet take in the army? This issue worries many young men who have reached adulthood. If the deceased is diagnosed with a deformation of the foot of degree 1 or 2, he is subject to service in the ranks of the armed forces. With longitudinal or transverse flatfoot of grade 3, the young man is freed from the army. He is issued a military ticket with the mark "limited to go."

Principles of treatment

Many people do not pay attention to flat feet, ignore the first symptoms. In fact, this is a fairly serious and rapidly developing pathology, which practically does not lend itself to therapy. Completely cure it can only be in childhood, when the foot is not yet formed to the end. In adults, therapy is aimed at slowing the development of the disease and preventing complications. Treatment of the pathological process is complex. The patient is strengthened by the muscles, eliminates the pain syndrome, stops the progressive longitudinal / transverse flatfoot. Symptoms and treatment of these types of maladies practically do not differ. Now we will dwell in more detail on modern methods of therapy.

Medicines in combination with physiotherapy help to eliminate pain syndrome. Patients are prescribed systemic analgesics ("Ibuprofen", "Aspirin"), as well as ointments for topical application (Dolgit, Voltaren).

The basis of therapy is therapeutic gymnastics. The complex of exercises is selected by the orthopedist taking into account the stage of the disease and the age of the patient. A good therapeutic effect is a foot massage. Regular procedures help to normalize blood circulation, increase muscle tone. Unfortunately, all listed methods of treatment are effective only at the initial stage of the disease. With strong deformities of the foot, only one option helps - surgery.

Treatment of this disease in children requires a different approach. Most often in young patients diagnosed longitudinal flat feet (that such deformation can not be ignored, should be known to all parents). Pathology is perfectly treatable when it is detected in time. The bones, ligaments and muscles of the child are susceptible to conservative therapy. A positive therapeutic effect is provided by exercise therapy and massage. If the child has a congenital flat foot, he is treated from the very first days of life. To do this, use special bandages and langets.

What is dangerous flatfoot?

The human body works as a whole. Between all organs there are not only anatomical, but also functional connections. With flatfoot there is a displacement of the center of gravity. To maintain balance, a person must constantly deviate in the opposite direction. With time, deformation increases, and the back is markedly rounded. Violation of posture and flat feet have similar causes of development. It is the weakness of connective tissue, muscles, and obesity. In a healthy person, the arch of the foot acts as a shock absorber. With flatfoot, it is lost. As a result, the increased load on the spine and knees. This leads to an even more severe curvature of posture, scoliosis.

Deformation of the foot can provoke the development of other specific complications, among which:

• Ingrown nails;
• Bending of fingers;
• Heel spurs;
• Dystrophic changes in the legs;
• clubfoot.

Children with this diagnosis also suffer from amortization of the foot. As a result, the vibration of the body during movement is transferred to the lower leg and the spine. Constant irritation of the joints causes inflammation, arthrosis develops. The effect of flat feet on the spine is reflected in its curvature. The child is constantly tormented by pains in the legs and head, his ability to work and progress at school are declining.

Prevention of disease in children and adults

To avoid the development of flat feet, it should periodically be prevented. First and foremost, doctors recommend paying attention to shoes. Today, in almost every shop, you can buy special orthopedic shoes and insoles. The assortment of similar children's goods amazes with the variety. Do not forget that shoes and insole can not correct the deformation of the foot. They only prevent its development.

To strengthen the muscles it is useful to make contrasting baths. It is necessary to dip your legs alternately in basins with cold and hot water. In addition, the strengthening of muscles contributes to the regular intake of vitamins in kind (A, E, C, D) and trace elements (such include copper, selenium, calcium).

Prevention of flat feet in children can begin with increased physical activity. It is useful to take part in martial arts, skiing and horse riding. In summer you can walk barefoot on mown grass, pebbles. Such daily walks have a positive effect on the motor skills of the small muscles of the foot.