The imprint of your baby’s legs is not only an excellent method to “stop the moment”, but also a way to check whether the crumbs have such a pathology as flat feet. How to recognize a developing disease in time? And what massage with flat feet in a child guarantees excellent results?
Pathology characteristic
Flatfoot is a disease in which the arch of the foot is flattened. As a result of such a pathology, the necessary functionality of the legs is lost. The feet are not able to act as a sufficient shock absorber. Vertical shocks, blows they do not completely suppress.
From such a pathology, the musculoskeletal system begins to suffer. The disease leaves an imprint on the functioning of the lower limbs and spine. With pathology, even the base of the skull suffers.
A fairly common concept is flat-valgus feet. According to orthopedists, this is not a disease, but a deformation resulting from a weakening of the ligaments. With such a pathology, the foot “falls into” inside, as it were. Incorrect formation of the arch of the foot and arch is observed. With this pathology, legs get tired much faster while walking.
If flat valgus feet are not treated, then in the future it threatens not only with a cosmetic defect. The crumb will be hard given walking. Possible difficulties with the choice of shoes. The child’s gait will go badly.
Parents should understand that the foot of the baby is formed, as a rule, up to 7 years. In adulthood, cardinally changing something is very difficult.
Pathology classification
Flat feet are divided into the following types:
- Transverse. Flattening occurs in the forefoot. Such a pathology can be seen visually. The thumb tends to lean sideways. Outgrowths inside the foot may form. The 2nd and 3rd fingers acquire a hammer shape.
- Longitudinal. Flattening occurs in the longitudinal arch of the foot. The extended elongated middle part is clearly visible. The foot is as if turned inward. The longitudinal arch is omitted. The gait of a child is awkward. Socks are parted strongly to the sides.
- Combined flat feet. This view combines transverse and longitudinal deformation.
Doctors distinguish 3 stages of the disease:
- Flat feet of 1 degree. With this pathology, a weakened ligamentous apparatus is observed. In this case, the foot does not change its shape. Fatigue and pain can occur in the evening after a long walk. It is enough to relax a bit - and the discomfort goes away. Flat feet of 1 degree affects the gait of the child. It is less ductile.
- 2 degree. The flattening of the foot is visually visible. The vaults almost completely disappear. The foot is flattened and extended. Pain discomfort is very pronounced. It becomes permanent. The pain can spread to the entire ankle, lower leg. And even reach the knee. The child has a very difficult walk, clubfoot occurs.
- Flat feet 3 degrees. Sharp deformation of the foot. Damage to some sections of the musculoskeletal system can be observed - scoliosis, arthrosis, intervertebral hernia. The thumb leans very outward. Constant pain is felt in the feet, legs, knees, and sometimes in the hips and lower back. Walking is hard enough.
Features of developing pathology
Begin to attend an orthopedist from a year old. Already in such a crumb, a competent specialist is able to determine whether a child is prone to pathology. Parents themselves can suspect developing flat feet, carefully examining the child's legs and his shoes.
Factors to pay attention to:
- Footwear. With flat feet, the inner part of the heel and sole wear out a lot. With a normal foot, the outer surface is immediately erased.
- Color. The leg should be pale pink. A crimson-cyanotic shade of the foot characterizes venous congestion. A pale color indicates inadequate blood circulation.
- Pathology. With the disease, thickening, abrasion of the skin, corns can occur.
- Visual inspection Ask the crumb to put next to the foot. Thumbs should be very close to each other.
If at least one of the above factors is present, you can suspect flat feet in a child. What to do in this case? Be sure to contact an orthopedist who will recommend adequate methods for correcting the foot.
Physiotherapeutic treatment
Such procedures are prescribed at any stage of the disease. They allow you to restore mobility in the joints, improve metabolism in the tissues.
The following physiotherapy procedures may be recommended:
- UVT - shock wave therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- paraffin-ozokerite application.
Electromyostimulation is quite popular. In this procedure, electrodes are applied to problem areas. Then they start a weak current. There is a "forced" training of muscle tissue.
Massage treatment
Experts recommend starting prevention almost from the birth of crumbs.
Massage with flat feet in a child must be performed as follows:
- Feet. The sole is rubbed with the edge of the palm - from the heel to the toes. Knead the foot with your thumb. Do the same for the fingers. Performing foot massage for the child with flat feet, “draw” the number 7. Start from the thumb crumbs, move to the base of the little finger and lower down on the outer surface to the heel. Then rub the interdigital spaces and bony protrusions of the lower part of the lower leg in circular motions. Gently make turns with your foot.
- Shin. Massage with flat feet in a child should not end only with work with the feet. It is necessary to stroke, rub and knead with palms of both sides of the leg. Gently shake the inner surface and pinch with your fingertips. Massage should be carried out from the ankle to the knee.
- Hips and buttocks. Such a massage with flat feet in a child is carried out without specific accents. Techniques are used - rubbing, stroking, kneading the muscle tissue of the hips. They move in the direction of the location of the bone. On the buttocks it is allowed to massage in any direction. In addition to an effective massage, vibration elements should become - shaking of the palms with an edge, tingling, possibly shaking.
Physiotherapy
You can get rid of pathology only with complex therapy. It should not be forgotten that gymnastics with flat feet in children is an important and indispensable part of adequate treatment.
The following exercises for pathology are recommended:
- A child rolls a ball or stick with his foot.
- The kid grabs a small object from the floor, using only his toes.
- Walking on toes and on heels. Such an exercise should be performed until the child’s legs are tired. The baby takes 4 steps, standing on his toes, then the same amount on the heels.
- Invite your child to walk on the outside of the feet.
- The kid bends and extends his toes.
- Put a special bar on the floor, the height of which is 30-40 mm. The child becomes one foot on him. It is necessary to rise on it to the toe and lower to the whole foot. The second leg does not take part. The exercise is repeated until tired. Then do the same for the other leg.
Orthopedic massage mat
The baby is recommended to walk barefoot. However, the surface on which the baby steps on must be uneven. For example, it can be land or grass outside the city. This event will allow you to variably load the muscles of the foot.
You can use for such purposes a special orthopedic rug from flat feet for children. It can perform all physical exercises. Such a rug causes irritation of the receptors on the baby's foot. As a result of the provoked exposure, the foot is correctly formed. In addition, a beneficial effect on the nervous system.
Orthopedic shoes
Often, children are recommended to wear special shoes. Orthopedic insoles can sometimes be prescribed instead of shoes. Recommended measures depend on the identified pathology, its features and degree of development.
Shoes with special insoles should be worn by the baby about 5-6 hours a day.
Recommendations to parents
It is extremely important to choose the right shoes for kids. Choose only good and high-quality shoes.
Be sure to remember the following recommendations:
- The baby should not wear shoes in which the ankle joint is not fixed. Avoid slippers, slippers, sandals with thongs on the heels, winter soft boots.
- All shoes in which the child walks must have a rigid one-piece backdrop. Lace-up boots are recommended. For summer shoes , a fastener is preferred.
- Never buy shoes for the child "for growth". In loose shoes, there is a high risk of improper foot formation. Tight boots also cause foot deformities.
- Do not let your child wear someone else's shoes. It does not fit the crumbs at all, since it is already trampled under the foot of someone else.
- Avoid rubber and synthetic boots.
May the legs of your crumbs be always healthy!