The longitudinal arch of the foot is

This condition requires the intake of vitamins and minerals that have a positive effect on the musculoskeletal system. Particularly required are:

Foot surgery – surgical treatment of longitudinal flatfoot

A degenerative lesion of the foot that reduces the height of the arch of the foot and gives it a stable and flattened shape is called longitudinal flatfoot. It can be acquired or congenital. However, congenital flatfoot is quite rare and only accounts for 3 percent of all cases. The incidence of acquired longitudinal flatfoot is high, with around 20 percent of cases occurring as longitudinal flatfoot. Abnormal foot deformities are observed in all age groups. It is known that newborns are born with seemingly flat feet and that the arches of the feet do not develop until the third year of life. The diagnosis of the disease is therefore only possible after the age of three. These cases are quite common in children. In adulthood, people who spend long periods of time on their feet for work are prone to foot deformities.

• Formation of an additional navicular bone – in infancy, when the navicular bone is building up, some nuclei cannot fuse together. Initially, the pathology is not diagnosed visually and does not cause any discomfort, but negative consequences may occur, such as displacement of the main bone as a result of trauma or rupture of the fibrous tissue;
• Shin muscle dysfunction – tears, sprains, tendon injuries of the posterior tibialis muscle lead to (partial) loss of its function to support the arch of the foot, eventually leading to complete flatfoot;
• Muscle weakness in the distal limb – Ligament insufficiency leads to joint instability, resulting in joint and periarticular soft tissue and muscle subluxations.

In the congenital form of flat foot, the pathology arises in connection with an intrauterine violation of the formation of the bony and muscular tissue of the foot and is often not the only developmental disorder.

classification

Depending on the severity of the anatomical changes and the clinical symptoms, longitudinal flatfoot is divided into:

• Grade I – manifested by a slight deviation of the arch of the foot, the height of the arch varies between 25 and 35 mm. (taking into account that the normal height of an adult is 35-40 mm, for children under 7 years old 19-24 mm). It is accompanied by fatigue after prolonged loading of the feet, at the end of the day there may be swelling of the distal area and slight pain on palpation;
• Grade II – moderate flatfoot is characterized by a reduction in arch height to 17-24 mm. There is pronounced pain and swelling in the lower limbs, a lowering of the arch of the foot, impairment of fluid walking, pressure on the feet is painful and causes discomfort;
• Grade III – clearly visible flat feet, with an arch height of up to 17 mm. Constant foot pain is accompanied by pain in the lower back and knees. Osteochondrosis, knee arthrosis and other diseases of the musculoskeletal system develop. The ability to work and walk is limited. Wearing normal shoes becomes impossible.

The development of pathology into a very serious condition can be prevented by timely treatment. Therefore, if symptoms are diagnosed, a podiatrist should be consulted immediately.

What is a flat foot?

Flat foot is a condition in which the shape of the foot becomes deformed, leading to poor posture.

The foot is a natural support that protects the body from unnecessary shocks when walking and enables balance in movement. The foot springs when it comes into contact with the ground, but not the entire surface of the ground at once, but only a part of it - the contact points. This creates an empty space under the foot that is raised off the ground. As the load increases, the foot collapses slightly: This avoids hard contact with the surface and reduces the strain on the musculoskeletal system.

The shape of the foot has two arches, a longitudinal arch and a transverse arch. The longitudinal vault runs on the inside of the foot from the heel to the middle joint of the big toe. It is usually clearly pronounced and easily visible. The transverse vault is less noticeable. The transverse arch is less pronounced: it is the arch at the base of the toes (where the metatarsals begin). The position of the bones in this characteristic position is determined by the musculoskeletal system. When the musculoskeletal system is weakened for various reasons, the normal shape of the foot is distorted. The arches of the feet become blurred and flatter. This condition is called flatfoot and manifests itself in various forms.

types of flat feet

A flattening of the longitudinal arch can lead to deformity of the foot. If it is a forefoot deformity, it may be associated with the development of transverse flatfoot. If the deformation affects both arches of the foot, it is a combined flat foot.

Flat feet can also be congenital. In this case, the development of the foot is due to intrauterine defects caused by various factors. This phenomenon is quite rare and only occurs very rarely in nature. Acquired flatfoot is much more common. However, it can occur at any age.

Longitudinal flatfoot

The inner arch of the foot is deformed longitudinally, so that the sole of the foot is almost completely in contact with the surface, and the length of the foot is longer due to the deformation. For this reason, a severe form of this type of flat foot can result in rolling of the foot as well as an x-shaped foot. Even at a moderate level, fatigue and pain are very severe, especially in the evening.

If the longitudinal arch is curved and the central axis of the foot deviates from the natural norm, this form of flat foot is called flatfoot. Statistically speaking, it is most commonly found in older people, athletes, pregnant women and overweight people.

Transverse arch arches

The front part of the foot is deformed and the big toe has migrated outwards. This leads to a relaxation of the transverse arch. The patient complains of foot weakness, has calluses and growths on the soles of the feet, and the foot slopes downward. There are also deformities in the form of 'bones' on the second and third toes. The toes appear slightly crooked, and the deviation increases as the bump on the big toe arches.

As a result, those affected have difficulty choosing footwear because their feet are wider in the foot area. Patients also complain of pain in the metatarsophalangeal joints of the toes. Women between the ages of 35 and 50 most often suffer from this form of flat feet.

Causes of flat feet

There are various causes that lead to flat feet, here are some of them:

– Genetic factors that can be inherited in the family; In this case, the affected person has flat feet from birth.
– Weak arches are also a cause. The arch of the foot is visible, and when the person bends or sits, the foot presses against the floor.
– Ankle or foot injury
– Arthritis/rheumatoid arthritis
– Overloading of the arch of the foot, usually caused by excess weight or regular overexertion.
– Dysfunction or damage to the posterior tibial tendons, including from a tear in the foot
– Nervous system disorders or muscle diseases such as muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy and a condition in which the bones of the foot fuse together, causing stiffness (tarsalgia).
– Tendonitis, which is caused by wear and tear of foot tissue due to overuse, usually occurs in older age.

Risk factors for flat feet

There are several risk factors that can increase the likelihood of developing flat feet. Some of these risk factors are due to common conditions, while others develop over time as a disease. Here are some common risk factors associated with flat feet:

Orthotics prevent flat feet. They support the transverse and longitudinal arch of the foot. Distributes the load of the foot across the sole. However, orthotics or shoes only treat the symptoms and the correction only works when they are worn.

Orthopedic shoes are still the best way to get quick and effective help. Such shoes provide a natural toe position, removable anatomical insoles support the arch of the foot, fix the foot in the correct position and provide complete comfort when walking.

The use of massage balls with a needle surface to massage the feet. Used for all types of foot deformities – flat feet, valgus and condition. Compression and rolling should be carried out until the pain threshold is reached.

Some bones do not develop properly during childhood, which can cause flat feet from birth and into adulthood. In these rare cases, surgery may be necessary to separate the fused bones.

If obesity is the cause of these deformities, losing weight may improve symptoms.

therapeutic exercises

To prevent and treat flat feet, special exercises have been developed to strengthen the foot and lower leg muscles and shape the arch of the foot.

Start by sitting in a chair. In this position you should perform the following exercises:

• flexion and extension of the toes;
• Alternately lifting the heels and toes off the floor;
• Circular movements with the feet;
• putting socks in and taking them off (this is a very good exercise with elastic bands);
• Extend your heels as far apart as possible without lifting your toes off the floor.

After completing these exercises, stand up and perform the following exercises while standing

• Raising and lowering the body on tiptoes;
• Stand on the ribs on the outside of the foot;
• Squat without lifting your heels off the floor;
• Intermittent walking on the heels, toes and outer ribs of the feet (can be combined with a squat).

All exercises can be performed both dynamically and statically. For younger preschool children (3-5 years) – in dynamics, for 6-7 year olds – in statics. This means that older children can fix a position (e.g. pulling their socks together) and hold it for 15-20 seconds.

A series of exercises are taught over two weeks and are used during morning exercises and/or after naps.

It should not be forgotten that a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet and foods rich in vitamins and micronutrients, especially calcium, play an important role in preventing flat feet.

Stages of flat feet. Treatment depends on the severity of the disease

The disease develops gradually in several stages. The earlier it is detected, the easier and faster it can be treated:

• Stage I – Mild (light). There is a slight deformity of the foot that may not be accompanied by obvious symptoms. Patients complain of a feeling of heaviness in the feet after exertion, swelling that increases in the evening, and slight changes in gait. At this stage the disease is easy to treat. Wearing orthopedic shoes, physiotherapy, massages and therapeutic exercises are recommended.
• The second stage – is of medium (moderate) severity. At this stage the changes in the feet are already visible. The toes are deformed and the gait is changed. Treatment at this stage depends on the severity of the symptoms. Depending on the severity of the bony changes, conservative treatment in the form of special shoes, orthoses, physiotherapy, massage or surgery is necessary.
• third degree – Severity (severe pronation). There is severe foot deformity and pain in the ankle, calves and spine. Arthritis develops with pain when walking and at rest. Severe swelling is characteristic. The toes are so deformed that the patient has difficulty putting on shoes. Conservative treatment alone is not possible at this stage. First, the patient undergoes surgery and is treated with physiotherapy, orthopedic shoes, massage and therapeutic exercises.

In order to effectively treat flat feet at home, it is important to start as early as possible, ideally at the first symptoms of the disease. In neglected cases, it also has a positive effect on the musculoskeletal system.

Treatment of flat feet with orthopedic insoles

This type of orthopedic products helps to redistribute the load on the foot, slow the progression of the disease and restore the normal configuration of the foot. Wearing insoles has other positive effects:

• Pain and swelling are reduced and your feet are less tired at the end of the day.
• The deformation of joints, muscles and tendons is slowed down. Wearing insoles is an excellent prevention against osteoarthritis, which is often associated with flat feet.
• Redistribution of the load on the entire musculoskeletal system, which prevents spinal deformities, valgus, headaches due to increased pressure on the cervical spine.

Orthopedic insoles are very comfortable and do not cause any inconvenience. You can choose any size and shape that aligns the foot as best as possible.

SYMPTOMS OF FLAT FEET IN ADULTS

Flatfoot Grade 1 – moderate deformity and ligament weakness. This is manifested by pain after dynamic or static stress.

Grade 2 – The lowering of the arch of the foot is already visible externally and, in the best case, the gait is not pathologically changed. The pain in the feet is accompanied by discomfort in the ankle and knee joints. The abnormal foot structure affects the spine: scoliosis and osteochondrosis of the lumbar spine are the most common side effects of flat feet.

Grade 3 flatfoot in adults is accompanied by a pathological deterioration of the entire musculoskeletal system. There are no physiological arches of the foot, there are deformations: curvature of the toes, the ankle joint. There is even pain in the upper spine.

If these symptoms occur, it is urgent to see a doctor!

FOUR FACTS ABOUT FLAT FEET

1. Patients may not be aware that they have flat feet. In adults, mild symptoms have little or no impact on the patient's well-being. In rare cases, foot pain only occurs after long walks.

2. Foot abnormalities can develop with age. Hence the confident statement 'I had no problems with myself as a child! – no argument for an orthopedist who knows how to recognize flat feet in adults and see all the symptoms and consequences.

3. The feet are our support and cushioning when walking. A person takes thousands of steps every day, and this load should not affect the spine and large joints.

4. Treatment of flat feet in adults is possible! The misconception that feet can only be corrected in childhood has been refuted by modern medicine. The latest methods make it possible to correct flat feet at any age!

'Dr. OST has the courage to also treat adult patients with flat feet. Our invaluable experience and the wealth of cutting-edge treatment technologies in the clinic allow us to achieve results.

treatment methods.

Treatment for flat feet depends on the symptoms and cause of the condition. Sometimes treatment is not necessary at all if there is no pain and the disease does not progress.

Treatment methods for flat feet include:

• wearing special orthopedic shoes, braces or insoles to keep the arch of the foot in the correct position;
• Physical therapy;
• physical therapy and stretching exercises to improve foot flexibility;
• Surgical interventions in particularly severe cases.

If the cause of the flat feet was excess weight, it is worth reconsidering the diet.

The method of surgical intervention depends on the pathology that provoked the development of flat feet.

Ways to prevent flat feet

• choosing the right footwear that is sufficiently soft and distributes the load evenly over the entire foot so that it can form properly;
• regular and prolonged barefoot walking on uneven surfaces – stones, sand, grass;

• exercises on special massage mats;
• exercises to prevent foot deformities;
• Regular check-ups with an orthopedist from the age of 2.

The most effective prevention of flat feet is at a young age when the arch of the foot is just forming.

If the development of flat feet could not be prevented, it is worth visiting a professional orthopedist. The orthopedic center has experienced doctors who will conduct a thorough examination and make an accurate diagnosis.

Flat feet in adults and children are corrected using modern methods that have been proven to be effective. In the most advanced cases, the doctor will recommend surgery to correct the position of the arch of the foot, relieve the pain and prevent further deformity.

Massage for flat feet

One of the irreplaceable treatments for treating flat feet or preventing the development of complications is massage. After all, it is a disease in which the muscles are the 'culprit'.

1. It relaxes overworked and tired muscles.
2. It brings relief from pain.
3. Improves the muscular system of the legs.
4. Stimulates blood circulation in the lower limbs.
5. Improves the condition of the skin on the feet - blisters and cracks heal faster.
6. Strengthens the ligaments and prevents accidental injuries caused by their weakness.

You should also note some contraindications to this massage:

• varicose veins;
• tumors;
• Mushrooms;
• gangrene;
• presence of warts and warts;
• Thrombosis;
• Epilepsy;
• severe heart problems;
• acute joint diseases.

It is advisable to involve an experienced massage therapist who knows where and how to perform manipulations and when not to do them. So that the manipulations are beneficial and not harmful.

Prevention of flat feet

Can flat feet be prevented? If the deformity is not genetic, then yes. Prevention is important and includes the following:

1. Wearing the right footwear: comfortable, in the right size, without heels that are too high.
2. Limit movement sensibly. Don't sit all the time and move little - then your muscles will become weaker. Don't strain the muscles in your legs and feet day and night - they become overloaded and no longer work as well. Everything must be measured and reasonable.
3. If you're carrying a heavy weight, you should know how to take a break. Rest, do a light foot massage or a simple one-minute exercise to warm them up.
4. To swim.
5. Walking barefoot on uneven surfaces.
6. Control your weight and lead a healthy, active lifestyle.
7. Regular check-ups with your foot specialist.

When flat feet are diagnosed, they are no small matter. Flat feet are a real threat to spinal health and a pain-free life. Don't you want to be one of the 80 % of people whose foot deformity is already an irreversible process. Flat feet should be treated correctly and in a timely manner.

All information contained in this blog is informative and does not replace a direct conversation with your doctor!

Sources:

1. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/168608.php
2. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flat-feet/
3. https://www.verywellhealth.com/flat-feet-causes-and-associated-medical-problems-1337682
4. https://www.healthline.com/symptom/flat-foot

• Longitudinal and transverse arches of the foot.
• The longitudinal arches of the foot begin at the bone.
• Determining the number of longitudinal arches in the human foot.
• Which ligaments strengthen the transverse arch of the foot?.
• Massage for flat feet.
• flat feet (valgus foot).
• Which doctor treats flat feet?.
• functions of the foot.