Parents often confuse an extraordinary gait with inward-bent forelimbs and a club foot. However, this usually happens while they are learning to walk, appears in the first years of a child's life and goes away on its own. A real club foot is much more dangerous. The consequences of clubfoot in adolescence are more devastating: muscle atrophy, deformation of the foot and spine, disability. What is Clubfoot? How to treat him in teenagers? What methods are there for prevention?
What is Clubfoot?
This is a deformation of the foot, in which there is an inward deviation from the longitudinal axis of the lower leg. The child also has a rocking gait (resembling a duck), turns the foot inward when running, and foot movement is restricted. The disease is mostly congenital and is most common in men. It is easy to diagnose and, with timely treatment, disappears at the age of 4 to 5 years. The appearance of such a disease in adolescence may be the result of relapse. In addition, clubfoot can be acquired for several reasons:
burns, injuries and bruises;
- incorrectly selected shoes;
- other diseases of the musculoskeletal system;
-Heritage, among others.
Can club foot be treated? It is quite possible even in conditions of an almost formed skeleton. But first, an orthopedic surgeon must make an accurate diagnosis and determine the nature of the disease.
Clubfoot varieties
Modern medicine speaks of the following types:
– varus, in which the foot turns inward;
– equinovarus, in which the whole foot is turned down and in;
– Hallux valgus, where the foot is turned outward.
In addition, it is important to determine the severity of clubfoot:
-with the light knuckle foot, the movement in the joint is not restricted;
– in an average disease, movement is restricted;
In severe cases, there are irreversible deformations of the ankles.
How is clubfoot treated?
Conservative methods can be used for mild and moderate diseases. A severe form can only be treated with surgery, and even then it is not always successful. That's why it's so important to diagnose clubfoot at an early stage. How to solve the problem is determined in more detail by an orthopedist.
After examination with a specialist, the course of treatment may include the following techniques:
fixing with special rails;
- wearing orthopedic shoes;
-special gymnastics;
- physiotherapy treatments;
-Corrective massage;
-Surgical intervention.
A properly selected method of treatment will help cure clubfoot and prevent the subsequent appearance of relapses.
To prevent clubfoot in teens, an orthopedist may recommend a variety of activities, such as active sports or individual massages. The feet can be massaged comfortably at home – various massage devices and foot massage mats are used for this purpose. In the Ortek online store, a wide selection for disease prevention and a variety of high quality products at affordable prices foot massage mats you can find.
Please note that the correct treatment of club foot should always be prescribed by an orthopedist. Be healthy!
Source: https://www.ortek.at/