FLAT FOOT is a deformity of the foot, its arches. The lowering of the longitudinal arch leads to longitudinal flat feet, and the transverse arch leads to transverse flat feet. Often, longitudinal and transverse flat feet are combined.

A normal foot has one transverse and two longitudinal arches: an internal (spring) arch, which mainly performs a spring function, and an external (cargo) arch, which performs mainly a supporting function. A powerful system of ligaments and muscles ensures the preservation of the arches of the foot and their function.

This defect in the structure of the foot in children is more common than any other. With flat feet, the arch of the foot is not strong enough and does not form the correct bend. As a result, the entire surface is adjacent to the floor when the child is standing. The cause of flat feet is usually weakness of the muscles and ligaments of the foot.

P flatfoot is congenital and acquired. Congenital is rare and requires special treatment from the first days of life. Acquired foot defects, depending on the cause of occurrence, are divided into rachitic, traumatic, paralytic and static.

Wearing the wrong shoes will not cause flat feet in children with normal feet, but if the child has even mild flat feet, then the wrong shoes will worsen the condition of his feet and the flat feet will become more pronounced.

Here's how you can try to get rid of flat feet.

1. 
   Pick up small balls or objects from the floor or carpet with your bare toes. After holding the ball for a while with your toes, then put it in a bowl on the floor.
2. 
   Stand facing the wall at a distance of 20 - 30 cm and rest your palms on it. Gently rock back and forth. Without lifting the soles and heels off the floor.

1. 
   To correct flat feet, orthopedic doctors advise wearing insoles - instep supports or special orthopedic shoes.

Sometimes flat feet do not bring any untidiness, in other cases, the steps and legs of a child with flat feet hurt from physical exertion. Regardless of whether the child's legs hurt or not, he does not need to refrain from active games. On the contrary, with flat feet, it is recommended to run and jump as much as possible. Physical training strengthens the weak muscles and ligaments of the foot and helps to get rid of flat feet.

Arched foot

This condition is the opposite of flat feet. If with flat feet the arch of the foot is almost not expressed, then the arched foot is arched too much compared to the normal one. Usually this deficiency becomes noticeable not earlier than the child is 7-8 years old.

Signs of an arched foot are as follows: calluses (places with thick, rough skin) form on the soles, the toes seem to be pressed into the foot, and the heel seems abnormally large. Arched foot is much less common than flat foot. To get rid of this shortcoming, it is necessary to stretch and make more elastic the overly rigid tissues of the foot.

Children with arched feet are sometimes advised to wear special shoes that have a transverse bolster in the insole where the toes meet the foot. In some cases, the arched foot can only be corrected by surgery, after which the leg becomes completely normal.

Clubfoot

A child suffering from this deficiency, when walking, turns the toes of the feet inward and sets the heels apart. In some children, clubfoot is manifested as a result of any abnormalities in the structure of the legs or hip joints. In this case, an operation is performed to correct the hip joint, after which the clubfoot goes away by itself. However, in most children, clubfoot is not associated with any serious violations in the structure of the bones, the only thing that is required to correct the defect is orthopedic shoes. In these shoes, the child will learn to walk, putting the toes forward and to the sides. A few decades ago, many parents, in order to correct clubfoot in children, put shoes on the wrong foot: the right shoe on the left, and the left shoe on the right. This simple method really made the child put his feet when walking straight. But try to put on shoes on the wrong foot and walk around in them.

funny legs

Useful exercises for the foot.

• 
  Keeping your heels on the floor, raise your toes as high as you can.
• 
  Alternately, with the toes of each foot, lift the rope from the floor.
• 
  Standing with toes on the board, heels on the floor, rise on your toes and lower on your heels.
• 
  Lying in bed (possible before going to bed), bend and straighten your feet.
• 
  Walk barefoot.
• 
  Walk on your heels back - forward.
• 
  Walk alternately on your heels (8 steps) and on your toes (8 steps).

Flat feet cause a lot of suffering: rapid fatigue when walking, pain in the feet, legs and lower back, restriction of movement in the joints of the feet, swelling in the evening on the feet, turning the foot outward and disturbing gait, curvature of the spine, decreased motor activity and impaired physical development. Flat feet often cause headaches, disturbances in the psycho-emotional sphere, and reduce physical performance. It is difficult for children with flattened feet to find shoes.

First of all, be sure to check if your child has flat feet. If he has pain and a feeling of fatigue in his legs after a long standing or walking, this should alert you. Carry out a simple procedure: put a sheet of paper on the floor, put the child on a chair and put both feet on this sheet, after lubricating the soles with some kind of cream, oil, fat. Then ask him to stand up with an even load on both legs, sit down again and raise his legs. An imprint of the plantar surface of the feet will remain on the paper. On the print between the third and fourth fingers, put a dot and connect it to the line of the center of the heel. Normally, the boundary of the inner contour of the foot coincides with this line or is close to it, and with flat feet this contour goes beyond the line: with flat feet of the I degree, the imprint occupies a third of the degree - two thirds, and with the II degree - two thirds, and with the III - all underwater space. The main signs of transverse flatfoot are flatness of the forefoot, painful corns on the sole, calluses on the toes, the foot gradually turns outward.

So, alas, your child has flat feet or a clear predisposition to it. Try to create a rational mode of loading on the legs for him and regularly perform special exercises for the feet with him, which we offer you at the end of this article.

In general, it is best to start fighting with flat feet in advance, long before your baby gets on his feet. After all, as we have already said, the main cause of flat feet is weak foot muscles, so your task is to help your child strengthen them.

The foot performs the most important functions, it is with its help that a person can walk, run and just stand. She experiences huge loads, especially if a person is obese or his work is associated with long standing or walking, playing sports. Many functions of the foot are performed precisely by its arches, thanks to which depreciation is carried out, protecting other joints, the spine from excessive loads. The formation of the arch of the foot ends in children in different ways. For some, arches are already formed by 4-5 years, for others, the process continues up to 10 years. Consider such a topic as the arches of the foot - anatomy and physiology.

In general, the formed human foot has two types of arches - transverse and longitudinal, or rather, the last 2. Normally, the arched foot creates elevations, which is why the person does not rely on the entire foot, but only on separate points. This is necessary in order to make movements - pushes that do not cause muscle strain, do not injure the bones, muscles and joints of the leg. Often, under the influence of negative factors, flattening of one or several arches at once develops, which is why flat feet develop - an unpleasant disease that worsens a person's well-being. Let's analyze what the arches of the feet are and what happens when they are deformed.

foot anatomy

Despite their small size, the feet have a complex structure, because a considerable load is placed on them. Consider the main elements and, as a result, the formed arches on the feet. The main elements in the foot are the bones that form its skeleton. There are 2 sections - the anterior, formed by the scaphoid, cuboid and three sphenoid bones. The posterior structure includes the tarsus, metatarsus, and toes.

A powerful element is the talus, located in the middle of the calcaneus and lower leg. With the help of the calcaneus, the heel is formed - one of the fulcrum of the foot, or rather, the calcaneal tubercle. The metatarsus is made up of metatarsal bones, by the way, the 1st and 5th are also the support of the foot and they are located in front. Together with the phalanges of the fingers form the metatarsophalangeal joints. The fingers themselves are formed from three phalanges, with the exception of the 1st finger - there are only 2 phalanges in its structure, which makes it more vulnerable to deformation.

With the help of these bones, the shape of the foot is formed, fixed by the ligamentous apparatus and joints. There are several joints, the main ones in the formation of the shape of the foot are:

• metatarsophalangeal joints;
• subtalar joint;
• talocalcaneo-navicular joint;
• tarsal-metatarsal group of joints.

Also, the structure of the foot includes muscles and fascia that protect the joints from injury and prevent flattening of the arches. By the way, anatomical features can form both a high arch of the foot and a low one, which affect the nature of the gait, the ability to walk in shoes and physical activity. Let's take a closer look at the structure of the arches of the feet.

Transverse arch - anatomy

The transverse arch of the foot is formed in the anterior section, it is not possible to determine its flattening immediately. In order to see it, you need to bring the sides of the foot with the palm of your hand, that is, to compress the sole. Normally, there is a protrusion of the sole and its flexion. In general, the vault has an arched shape, does not completely touch the ground and rests on the 1st and 5th metatarsal bones, on their edges (heads). The heads of the remaining metatarsal bones - 2,3 and 4 form the bulge itself - the arch.

The vaulted shape is supported by the muscular-ligamentous apparatus. If this arch of the foot is flattened, then a transverse form of pathology occurs and, as a result, supination. In other words, supination is a forward shift of the center of gravity, therefore, the depreciation function decreases, the degree of load on the musculoskeletal apparatus of the ankle and foot increases, and their elasticity increases, which is manifested by rapid fatigue of the legs. The forefoot may swell, and its surface is often covered with calluses, "corns".

With flat feet, the load on the toes also increases, to a greater extent on the 1st finger, which begins to bend. So, a valgus deformity is formed, associated with the deformation of the 1st metatarsal bone, and subsequently the rest of the fingers are bent. Symptoms of flat feet are pain in the legs, increased fatigue, and an increase in the width of the forefoot. Prolonged walking leads to stagnation, causes swelling, which causes muscle contractions.

The low arch of the foot has three degrees of flattening. With transverse flat feet in various degrees, the angle of the arch of the foot is determined by the following indicators:

• at the 1st degree of the disease, the angle of the 1st and 2nd metatarsal bones is 10-12 degrees;
• with the 2nd degree of pathology, the angle increases to 15 degrees;
• the angle at the 3rd degree of the disease rises to 20 degrees.

It is worth remembering the reasons for the appearance of the transverse type of flat feet - this is wearing uncomfortable shoes, excessive weight of a person, work associated with loads on the legs and past injuries and paralysis. To treat this form of the disease, wearing orthopedic shoes is used, it is recommended to reduce stress and exercise to strengthen the musculoskeletal apparatus of the foot. Yoga, foot taping, physiotherapy and massage often help.

Longitudinal flatfoot - anatomy

The longitudinal arch starts from the calcaneal tuber and runs along the center of the foot, is divided into the inner arch (on the inside) and the outer one. In total, five arches of the arch can be distinguished, each of which originates from the region of the calcaneal tuber and ends near each metatarsal bone. Moreover, on the inside it is slightly higher than on the outside.

To determine the longitudinal arch, it is necessary to run a hand over the surface of the sole, an arcuate shape is felt. By the way, flat feet at an early stage may not be detected visually, which is why the disease often starts. The foot flattens already at the 2nd and 3rd degrees of flat feet, while the risk of developing arthrosis and other complications increases.

The causes of flattening of the arches are associated with excessive loads on the legs, hereditary predisposition, and congenital weakness of the musculoskeletal system. In children, the risk of developing the disease increases during the period when they are just starting to walk and parents put a lot of stress on their legs.

The diagnostic criteria for longitudinal flat feet are highlighted. So, with the 1st degree of the disease, the arch angle is 131-140 degrees, while the height indicators are from 25 to 35 millimeters. With the 2nd degree of pathology, the angle of the arch fluctuates in such figures - 141-155 degrees, the height decreases from 17 to 24 millimeters. At the 3rd degree, the angle of the arch increases to 155 degrees, the height, on the contrary, decreases to 17 millimeters.

Often, flat feet, affecting the longitudinal arch, is the cause of pain in the heel area in the center of the foot, the patient's legs cramp from the load. To prevent this from happening, a pelot of the longitudinal arch of the foot is prescribed - special insoles. It is recommended to take a course of therapeutic exercises, physiotherapy, massage. To strengthen the arch of the foot allows walking barefoot on the ground, sand or pebbles.

By the way, often flattening of the arches occurs in children, especially at an early age, when they begin to take their first steps. In an infant, the diagnosis of a flat foot is not carried out, since the arches are still being formed. Only advanced forms of clubfoot and congenital anomalies in the development of the structure can be detected. The resulting flat feet leads to curvature of not only the feet, but also the ankle and knees. So, a child can form an X-shaped shape of the feet - a valgus curvature or an O-shaped shape of the legs (varus deformity). With varus curvature, it is difficult to reduce the knees.

Prevention of flat feet

In order not to form a flat foot in children and adults, special gymnastics has been developed that is used in the initial stages of the disease, as well as at the risk of developing the disease. To avoid pathology, you need to wear comfortable shoes and, if possible, a corrective type of shoes or at least insoles.

If there is a threat of the formation of flat feet, then, in addition to gymnastics, you should periodically undergo a massage course, take a sufficient amount of vitamins and trace elements, and do not overwork your legs. Women are advised to choose shoes with heels up to 5 centimeters. If you experience discomfort associated with wearing shoes, you should not delay going to the doctor to get an examination.

Publication date: 03-12-2019

What does arched foot mean?

The arched foot is observed in cases where the height of the longitudinal arch increases markedly in a person. This deformity is also called a hollow foot. This is the opposite of flat feet, where the arch bone thickens and droops.

Varieties of pathology

There are several types of arches. Depending on the various deformities, the treatment method is selected. There are such varieties:

1. A foot that has a high arch. Such a pathology is pronounced, so that it can be determined even visually. If you put your foot on a flat surface, then you can see an overestimation, and the elevation is most pronounced in the middle zone of the foot. A person with this shape of the foot experiences the greatest difficulties when walking or running, since in him it turns strongly towards the outer part. This is called underpronation.
2. Flat vault. This is the opposite of the previous variety, since almost the entire foot is firmly attached to the floor. With such a defect, pronation will be excessive. When a person runs, his leg turns strongly towards the inside.
3. Normal vault. This option is considered the most common. When running, there are no significant distortions of the biomechanical type when the foot rests on the floor.

These characteristics are key when choosing the right shoes, especially when choosing running shoes. They must clearly correspond to pronation so that running and other sports are safe for a person.

If a person has hypopronation, that is, the foot is arched, then it is best to choose shoes that have an increased depreciation rate and have an impact-resistant sole. In overpronation, when a person develops flat feet, it is best to choose a sole that is very stiff and has good stability. With a normal arch shape, no corrective devices are needed. By the way, in this case, it is better not to choose shoes with increased cushioning and stabilization, as this can greatly harm.

To determine the shape of the foot, a visual examination is needed. First you need to stand up straight, and then stick your index finger between the foot and the floor. In this case, the foot itself cannot be torn off the floor. You can't bend your knees either. If it was possible to advance the toe by about 12-25 mm, then the foot is considered normal. If this distance is more than 25 mm, then the person has a high arch, and if the distance is less than 12 mm, then, on the contrary, flat feet.

There is one more method. You need to draw water into the basin, and then lay paper on the floor. It is best if it is dark. First, lower the leg into the water, and then put it on the sheet. The next step is to study the print. If there is a lot of space between the toes and the heel, then the foot is arched.

General definition

The arched foot is called the longitudinal arch of the foot. Also, a similar pathology is also called a hollow foot. This defect is considered to be the exact opposite of flatfoot, in which the arch drops and noticeably thickens.

With an arched foot in a person, the height of the arch of the longitudinal type increases greatly.

In people with this deformity, the heel turns slightly towards the inside of the leg. In this case, the first metatarsal bone structure, which is located near the base of the thumb, begins to descend slightly. As a result, it seems that the foot twists around its longitudinal axis. Then the fingers begin to deform. They take the form of claws or a hammer: the phalanges near the nail plate are strongly bent, and the fingers themselves in the rest are strongly raised.

There are many reasons that can provoke such changes in the arch. First, it concerns diseases of the nervous system and muscles. Secondly, the cause may be burns. But the most common is the incorrect fusion of bone tissue after fractures of the talus or calcaneus.

If a person already has such a pronounced deformation of the foot, then during strong physical exertion he will rely only on the head in the metatarsal bone structure and on the calcaneal tuber itself. Because of this, the middle zone on the foot has no points of contact with the ground or floor surface. This is clearly visible if you make prints of the sole. The curvature of the longitudinal region of the arch of the leg may increase in the anterior region due to the fact that the head of the metatarsal bone begins to descend. As a rule, this concerns the first metatarsal bone unit in the foot. In other situations, the longitudinal often of the foot has a curvature that gradually increases in the posterior zone in the area where the tubercle of the calcaneal bone structure descends, its body and tarsal bones.

When a person has an arched foot, then during a long or fast walk, the person quickly gets tired. Painful sensations are manifested in the area of ​​​​the ankle joint. A callus forms on the foot, which is also very painful, especially in the area of ​​​​the big toe. To avoid severe pain, or at least reduce it, a person tries to step in such a way that the load falls on the outer sides of the foot. Because of this, he gets tired even faster.

Some people also experience the following symptoms:

1. In the area where there are lesions of the foot, sprains often appear.
2. The foot, which has a similar deformation, is characterized by stiffness, so that gradually the movements will be constrained.
3. The arch of the foot can hurt sometimes, and not just the parts where the person rests on the foot.
4. Shoes become uncomfortable due to the fact that the fingers become claw-shaped, and the feet are very high. As a result, finding a comfortable pair of shoes is becoming increasingly difficult.
5. Calluses appear near the thumb, at its base. The same applies to the place near the little finger.

If a person's foot is higher than necessary, even with a visual check, then a diagnosis is required. To do this, the technique of plantography is used. In this case, special paper is used, on which the imprint of the foot remains. You can also take x-rays for the feet. This is another effective method. In addition, to determine the cause that provoked such defects in the arch, magnetic resonance imaging is performed, with the help of which the spinal cord is studied. It is imperative to undergo a complete examination by a neurologist in order to identify possible disorders in the nervous system.

Conservative therapy

As for the treatment of the arched foot, or, as it is also called, the longitudinal arch of the foot, in the early stages of the development of the disease, as a rule, conservative therapy is prescribed. Be sure to perform special therapeutic physical exercises. The doctor may also prescribe physiotherapy. To reduce pain and prevent further development of deformities, special orthopedic shoes are selected.

You can replace it with a simplified version - insoles, which also have orthopedic properties. However, each patient will need a separate shoe or insole, as everyone's feet deform differently. In addition, a massage of the changed feet is recommended. All these measures with a hollow foot are aimed at strengthening individual parts of the arch of the foot.

Surgery

In more severe cases, a surgical method is used to treat the longitudinal arch. The intervention is carried out only on the bone structures of the foot and on the soft tissues that are located in this area. Surgery can be done in the following ways:

1. Osteotomy. This is a special operation, during which the bone structure is dissected, and then the foot is given the correct shape.
2. Tendon transplant surgery.
3. Arthrodesis is a special type of surgical intervention in which all actions are aimed at creating ankylosis. In other words, the joint is made immobile.
4. An operation during which the plantar fascia is dissected. When a person has a hollow foot type, the plantar fascia is reduced in size. To eliminate discomfort, the patient cuts it. As a rule, such a procedure is carried out in parallel with a tendon transplant, as well as together with an osteotomy of the bone structure of the foot.

A high arch of the foot causes a lot of trouble. This pathology is the opposite of flat feet. With this deformity, the height of the bone that forms the vault increases markedly. There are several methods that will help eliminate such a pathology, but you should immediately go to the hospital at the first suspicion. In the early stages, physiotherapy, therapeutic exercises, and special insoles also help. But if you delay going to the doctor and ignore the discomfort, then only surgery will help in the future, followed by a long recovery period.

The feet are the foundation of our body and perform such an important function as walking. The human foot consists of 26 bones, it also has ligaments, muscles, tendons. In connection with a fairly active life, structural changes in the legs can occur. This can lead to deformities or various kinds of diseases. In addition, the feet are susceptible to bacterial, fungal and viral infections. The presence of systemic diseases can also leave their mark on the change in the legs, which can lead to a limitation in daily activities and quality of life.

High arch of the foot (or horse foot).

In a normal foot arch, the arch is in a flattened position during walking, allowing the foot to sway freely, thereby not restricting the foot during stride. When the leg is perpendicular to the ground, the arch begins to rise to block the leg to support the weight of the body as it moves forward. In people with a flat arch of the foot, the leg at this moment remains free and is not fixed.

The problem with people with very high arches is that their arch cannot flatten enough and their foot does not have enough flexibility during movement. A very high arch of the foot occurs in neurological conditions such as cerebral palsy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (hereditary neural amyotrophy).

Many people with improper arches are prone to calluses and pain in the heel and toes.

Treatment is to ensure that the increased pressure that creates the weight of the body on the leg is evenly distributed, therefore, in order to correct such patients, the use of orthopedic insoles is recommended.

Flat arch of the foot (or flat feet).

Due to the fact that the arch of the foot is flat, the leg is in a "free" state, it is not fixed during walking to support body weight. This is the most common structural deformity of the foot, in which the arch of the foot does not form or the already formed arch begins to deform at some point in time. This deformity can be either congenital or acquired, in cases where the ligaments are no longer able to support the structure of the foot, due to damage (tendon posterior tibialis dysfunction) or when they are weakened.

People with a congenital deformity of the foot have increased tension in the ligaments and tendons, which is manifested by pain in the arch of the foot and frequent injuries (for example, a fracture of the body of the tibia).

Treatment aimed at supporting the foot so that the leg functions normally during movement. Special boots, inserts, or prescription orthopedic devices can be used as supportive aids. In severe cases, surgery may be required.

Hammer-shaped and claw-shaped deformities of the fingers.

In healthy toes, with the exception of the big toe, there are three phalanges connected by two joints. When the proximal joint (the closest joint to the leg) begins to compress, this deformity is called a mallet. If the distal joint (the farthest joint in the finger) is compressed, the deformity is called a claw. It is also possible that the fingers in the toe are bent, usually the fourth and fifth fingers, this deformity is called varus.

In the early stages of foot deformity, redness and soreness may occur due to the discomfort of ill-fitting shoes. Over time, calluses form in these areas, bringing additional inconvenience.

Initial treatment is to select the right shoes (comfortable, with the presence of orthopedic insoles). If these methods of influence do not help and the pain persists, surgery may be required.

With hammer-shaped and claw-shaped deformation of the fingers, 2 options are possible, first when the fingers are flexible and can be straightened by hand in the area of ​​​​the joints, and second a variant, worse, when there is a rigid deformation of the fingers in the joint area, while the joints do not function. With a flexible deformity, only soft tissue correction may be required, and with a rigid deformity, bone reconstruction in order to straighten the toe and reduce pain.

Valgus deformity of 1 toe.

A condition in which the tendons and ligaments cannot stabilize the big toe, in which case it deviates (or rotates), which leads to its outward deformation in the metatarsophalangeal joint.

With early detection and stabilization of the foot with supportive boots, insoles, or prescription orthotic devices, symptomatic relief can be achieved. In cases where bone proliferation has already occurred, a classic protrusion appears in the thumb area. This can lead to swelling and pain, especially if you are wearing tight or hard boots.

Treatment. In order for these symptoms to go away, you need to give your feet a rest, apply something cool and choose the right shoes. If symptoms and pain are persistent, surgery may be required, which includes reconstruction and stabilization of the big toe.

The diagnosis is confirmed by X-ray.

Rigid first toe.

In this condition, there is a change at the top of the big toe (at the metatarsophalangeal junction), which leads to a restriction of flexion function and a decrease in the range of motion of the big toe during normal walking. Subsequently, the ongoing bone changes further impair the functionality of the thumb, up to the complete absence of movement in it.

Initial symptoms include joint pain associated with increased activity. Due to the limited function of the big toe, pressure on the inside of the foot increases, which can lead to the formation of calluses.

Conservative treatment This includes using anti-inflammatory drugs, wearing shoes with stiffer soles, and/or using special insoles to artificially increase movement in the big toe. If pain persists, surgery may be required, ranging from bone reduction to decompression of the big toe. These procedures help to restore the range of motion of the thumb and stop the symptoms.

Ingrown nail.

Ingrown toenails (onychocryptosis) are more common in children, young adults, and older people. In younger people, ingrown toenails are usually caused by inconsistent growth of the structures of the legs, which leads to ingrown nails into the skin, in older people, it is due to changes in the structure of the bones themselves, which leads to deformity of the nails. Another important reason is cutting the nails too short, whereby the fold of the nail irritates or penetrates the skin. External compression of the toes from the outside, for example when wearing very narrow shoes, also leads to ingrown nails.

Early symptoms are pain and discomfort along the edge of the nail plate. Because the nail irritates the skin, a skin growth can develop, causing permanent discomfort. Without treatment, the nail can penetrate the skin and lead to infection.

Treatment. In the early stages, conservative treatment is used if the process is running, they resort to surgical removal of the ingrown nail and the appointment of antibiotics in the presence of infection.

Athlete's foot or sole.

Athlete's foot is a common skin disease. In which the fungus infects the skin of the foot. There are acute and chronic forms. In the acute form, blisters form in the arch of the foot, the blisters are usually filled with a clear yellow liquid. However, the process can also affect the skin between the fingers, causing redness and peeling of the skin. Patients feel itching and burning. In the chronic form, the lower part of the foot is red, scaly, and patients may feel itching and burning, although sometimes the process is asymptomatic. This condition is often associated with fungal changes in the nails.

Treatment includes topical antifungal drugs, in severe cases, oral antifungal agents or corticosteroids may be required.

Onychomycosis.

Onychomycosis is a fungal nail infection in which the nail plate and nail bed are interrupted, allowing the fungus to grow.

This is usually seen when the nail is injured or as a result of repeated injury during sports or exposure to some kind of direct injury, such as dropping something heavy on the foot. With onychomycosis, discoloration (yellow-brown), thickening of the nail, separation of the nail from the nail bed with the remains of part of the fragments under the nail is observed.

Confirmation of the diagnosis includes direct microscopy, staining with periodic acid and Schiff's reagent, histological examination of the culture.

Treatment includes the use of antifungal drugs.

Plantar wart.

The outgrowths towering on the skin in the area of ​​the plantar surface are caused by the human papillomavirus and have several common characteristics:

• the presence of black dots in the wart, called capillary buds.
• broken lines on the skin, due to the separation of the skin from the wart as it grows.
• more painful on compression than on direct pressure.

Calluses are often misdiagnosed as warts, but calluses usually appear at the joints and are more painful with direct pressure. Plantar warts are usually self-limiting and may resolve without treatment.

However, there are many methods for treatment: adhesive tape, freezing, laser treatment, local application of acids.

All these methods are mainly aimed at irritating the wart, allowing the body to react to the irritant and recognize the viral infection. In children, wart treatment has a high success rate. As soon as the children grow up and go beyond adolescence warts become more difficult to treat and may require medical and/or surgical intervention.

The arched foot is a pathology characterized by a violation in the formation of the longitudinal arch, an increase in the arch above the norm. A healthy foot acts as a shock absorber, support. Thanks to the anatomical device, a person can be in an upright position, walk, run, play sports. The arched shape of the foot is characterized by the absence of contact between the middle part and the support. The load falls on the thumb, heel of the foot.

Excessively high arch of the foot is rare. Neurological pathologies provoke curvature in children, adults:

• transferred poliomyelitis;
• splitting of the spinal column (spinal dysraphia);
• polyneuropathy;
• cerebral palsy;
• meningitis, encephalitis, meningoencephalitis;
• oncological pathology of the spinal cord with compression of nerve bundles and intervertebral discs;
• after traumatic injury and improper fusion of bone structures;
• when replacing connective tissue elements with scar tissue after massive burn lesions.

The functions of the arched foot are limited. The depreciation protecting joints, a backbone from excessive loadings is broken. Fatigue increases after a short walk, it is problematic to find comfortable shoes. There is pain, convulsions. With the pathology of the arched curvature, there is an increased load on the metatarsal joint, changes the shape of the first toe, and increases the risk of bone callus.

With a long absence of therapy, the fingers are deformed, acquire a claw-like shape. The functional reserve of the body - the support of the standing position of the body and the process of upright walking are violated, the domed arch and claw-like fingers do not allow painless movement. Treatment is required with the use of orthopedic structures, the selection of individual corrective shoes.

The main types of arches of the feet

There are several types. Depending on the deforming factor, further treatment tactics, orthopedic shoes, sole fixators are selected. There are three variations in the structure of the feet. They are formed in the womb or changed under the influence of external factors.

Varieties:

How to determine the arch of the foot

It is difficult to determine on your own, you need to seek help from a specialist. There are methods for determining curvature:

1. Inspection and measurement with a compass, protractor, ruler of the height of the vault. The podometric index is calculated based on the data obtained during the measurements. Allows you to identify violations or norms.
2. The computer technique allows the most accurate calculation of the norm or violations in the anatomical formation of the bone joint of the ankle, the correctness of distribution, the pressure of its own weight, and the determination of fulcrum.
3. X-ray diagnostics is used in two projections - direct and lateral. According to the conclusion of the radiologist, the examination of the orthopedist finally makes the diagnosis, proceed to therapeutic measures.

What results are problematic

When conducting podometry according to the Friedland method, the index is calculated, normally it ranges from 29 to 31. With the development of a hollow, vaulted excavation, the index will be over 31, with a figure below 29, we can talk about the development of flattening, valgus curvature, flat feet.

With a computer technique, the overload zone, the degree of curvature up to millimeters, the location of the lesion are clearly defined, and the selection of a correction scheme is simplified.

On the X-ray image, the curvature or flattening of the vault is determined; when the picture is blurred, computed or magnetic resonance imaging is additionally used.

"Wet test" allows you to visually see the pattern of the foot - normally, the longitudinal arch is not imprinted. In the absence of an imprint of the middle foot, the presence of a toe, a heel, a high domed arch is diagnosed, with an imprint of all structures of the sole, flat feet are diagnosed.

With flattening or elevation, correction is carried out without delay. Otherwise, there is a risk of harming the ankle joints, disrupting many structures of the musculoskeletal system.

Possible Complications

In the absence of treatment for pathologically arcuate bending, complications arise:

• increased load on the metatarsal joint provokes the development of the bone-bumps of the first toe, causes pain when walking;
• with an increase in pressure on the calcaneal tubercle, constant trauma, a calcaneal bone spur occurs. Accompanied by metabolic disorders;
• due to pain, rapid fatigue when walking, the musculoskeletal apparatus weakens, the risk of injuries increases: sprains, bruises, the formation of exudative ankle hygromas, stiffness of the feet, muscle weakness, imbalance of the body in motion;
• frequent corns and corns cause considerable discomfort to the patient;
• load on articular joints with provocation of inflammatory and degenerative processes, exacerbation of chronic inflammation: bursitis, synovitis, arthrosis of the toes. Children develop hallux valgus, gout, arthritis, impaired production of synovial fluid in chronic processes.

The significance of the disease of the arched foot for a person is underestimated. Curvature develops moderately. Changes the anatomy of the feet, redistributing the load on the musculoskeletal system. A low arch carries less risk of disability.

It is necessary to determine the pathology in a timely manner, seek medical help from a doctor in order to prevent a violation of the free movement of a person.