Correct setting of the legs ensures the maintenance of the vertical position of the body and a normal gait. Clubfoot is a pathology of the musculoskeletal system, in which the foot is deformed. It deviates from the longitudinal axis of the shin inside at different angles, depending on the severity of the disease.
Clubfoot in children - signs
The symptomatology of this pathology is clearly visible even visually, so an experienced orthopedist will put a correct diagnosis even when examined. How to identify clubfoot in a child:
- turning of the sole inside;
- Both legs are turned towards each other;
- clumsy, swaying gait;
- raised inner and lowered outer edge of the foot;
- limitation of mobility and lack of some functions of the ankle joint;
- inflection, curvature of the foot in the plantar part;
- heel displacement upward;
- an increase in the arch of the foot;
- torsion of the shin bones;
- rapid fatigue, pain when walking.
The degree of severity of the listed signs is different, the child can only have separate clinical manifestations. It is important to detect clubfoot in children in a timely manner, the treatment of foot deformities is easier in the early stages. With proper therapy, the defect can be completely eliminated with the help of conservative methods, without performing surgical interventions.
Why does the child clumsy?
The factors provoking the problem in question are classified according to its origin. The causes of clubfoot in children can be congenital and acquired. In the first case, the symptoms of the disease are diagnosed during the period of intrauterine development, the pathology of the foot is seen with ultrasound. Acquired disease debuts at the age of 1-3 years and is often ignored by parents because of hopes that the child will "outgrow".
Congenital Clubfoot in Children
It is rare to establish the exact origin of deformation of the feet, in 20 cases out of 100. Presumptive causes of congenital clubfoot:
- amniotic bands;
- severe toxemia during pregnancy;
- water scarcity ;
- fusion of the body surface of the embryo with a protective shell (amnion);
- a viral infection suffered by a future mother;
- overpressure of the uterine musculature to the fetus;
- avitaminosis;
- genetic disorders;
- treatment of some potent drugs during pregnancy;
- Smoking, alcohol and toxic substances during pregnancy;
- malposition;
- bad ecological conditions;
- harmful working conditions of the father or mother and others.
Regardless of why the congenital clubfoot developed in children, treatment should begin immediately after the diagnosis is established. With timely therapy, you can completely get rid of the pathology before the baby is 4 months old. If you do not take any measures, changes in bones and joints, foot deformities will become irreversible and require surgical intervention.
Why does a child clum when he learns to walk?
The described situation is not pathology. First, the baby is simply more comfortable to maintain stability by turning the socks inside, due to the position of the knee and hip joints. In this case, treatment is not required, the problem will gradually disappear when the child begins to walk confidently. Therapy is necessary if other causes of clubfoot are found:
- birth defects;
- dysplasia of bones or joints;
- polio;
- acute inflammatory processes in the body;
- suffered rickets, even in mild form.
Why does a child clum in shoes?
If the child's gait changes only when leaving the street, with the locomotor system everything is in order. The cause of clubfoot in children in this situation is incorrectly selected shoes :
- too large or small;
- inconvenient shoe;
- soft toe or back;
- lack of foot support;
- high or low rise;
- narrow or too wide shoes;
- rubbing;
- firm, stiff outsole.
Why would a child clum on one leg?
A common cause of this problem is mechanical damage to the foot. If a child slumps with one foot, you need to check if he has corns, bruises or strains, a wound on the skin. After healing, the baby's gait normalizes itself. It is necessary to be afraid when there is a constant unilateral clubfoot in children, treatment is required in the following cases:
- wrong fusion of bones after fracture;
- hypertension of leg muscles;
- underdeveloped musculoskeletal structures and joints;
- severe flat feet ;
- polio;
- neuralgia;
- tumors of soft tissues and bones.
How to correct clubfoot in a child?
Due to the achievements of modern medicine, the deformity of the foot practically does not occur in school-age children. Effective ways how to cure clubfoot in a child, are practiced from the first days of the baby's life. By 4-5 years or earlier, depending on the degree of curvature, the disease can be completely eliminated. Methods of treatment of clubfoot in children:
- staged plastering ("boots", longs);
- immobilization of joints with tutors;
- conifer baths;
- paraffin applications;
- injections of botulinum toxin;
- kinesiotherapy;
- wearing special orthopedic shoes;
- manual treatment (massage);
- gymnastics.
- surgery ()
In severe cases and when the conservative approach is ineffective, correction of clubfoot in children is carried out with the help of a surgical operation, during which the position of bones, joints and ligamentous tendon apparatus of the foot is corrected. Treatment should be individually selected only by an experienced orthopedic surgeon, independent attempts to normalize the position of the foot can lead to complications.
Footwear for clubfoot in children
To restore the correct gait, it is necessary to fix the baby's feet in the desired position. Antiviral orthopedic footwear with clubfoot in children is called brace. These are specialized high boots (there are summer options), the wearing of which is recommended after treatment with gypsum. Insoles for clubfoot in children should be without a instep, the rest of the braces have the following features:
- uniform distribution of the load on the legs;
- hard back;
- tightly fitting berts;
- Adjustable fasteners, Velcro or laces;
- solid toe;
- fixation of the front and middle arch of the foot;
- wide and stable, but flexible sole.
Massage with clubfoot in children
Manual therapy helps to remove muscle hypertonia and gradually normalize the position of the feet. Only with the help of massage can not eliminate clubfoot in children, treatment should be comprehensive. At the first sessions manual manipulation is performed only by an experienced specialist. If parents remember the technique and can repeat it, treatment at home is allowed. Orthopedists recommend visiting a qualified masseur, because during the session the baby should be in a certain position, with an elevated outer edge.
Exercise therapy for clubfoot in children, exercise
Gymnastics is an auxiliary method of therapy, it fixes the results obtained through the above methods. Physical training additionally prevents repeated clubfoot in children, such treatment can be used as prevention of recurrence and flat feet, the formation of the habit of correctly placing feet when walking. First, gymnastics is performed under the supervision of an orthopedist, after which you can do it at home.
The simplest exercises for clubfoot in children:
- Walking on heels and toes. Socks should be diverted in different directions.
- Soldier. It is necessary to march, raising your knees high parallel to each other.
- Circus artist. Walking along the gymnastic stick (on the floor).
- Clown. Keep your feet together. Clutching the heels, as much as possible take the toes aside. A few steps to go a few meters.
- Collector. Fingers of the foot pick up small items from the floor and shift them to another place.