Flat foot

the definition
A condition that is normal for most newborns and usually continues through their childhood. The reason for the appearance of this flatness is the flexibility of the bones and ligaments of the child after his birth and during his first years of life, and the foot does not take the form of a bow in its soles until the age of 9 or 10 years, and the lack of full arch formation may extend until the beginning of the teenage years. In addition, the child’s foot is characterized by the presence of a layer of fat concentrated in the soles of the foot, so the arch of the foot disappears, and thus his foot appears flat. Sometimes the arch of the foot appears while raising the child’s foot up, but it disappears and the entire foot touches the surface of the ground when standing.

Types of flatfoot in children

Flexible flat foot, which is the appearance of the arch of the foot when it is raised while the child is sitting or lying down, and its disappearance when standing and walking. As in flatfoot in adults, this type does not need treatment.

Rigid flat foot: It is the disappearance of the arch of the foot completely in all its positions and the foot is completely in contact with the surface of the earth with a feeling of pain while walking and standing and the stiffness of the foot and its lack of response to movement. Diseases affecting the foot. It may appear in one foot or both feet.

Partial flatfoot, which is a slight arch in the child’s foot that appears while standing and walking, and total flatfoot, where the foot completely touches the ground.

Causes of flatfoot in children

There are many causes of flat feet in children, and they are as follows:

– DNA.
– Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis.
Some neurological diseases such as cerebral palsy and polio.
– Bone and joint fractures that lead to a change in the structural structure of the foot.
Injuries to tendons or ligaments.
– muscle atrophy
Knee deformities
Weight gain that puts pressure on the foot and flattens it.
Achilles tendon shortening. This shortness causes the child to have floppy flatfoot.
– A protrusion in the ankle bones in the foot, and it is surgically removed.

Physiotherapy for flatfoot

Stretching exercises: such as a 30-second heel stretch, And repeat the command four times for both legs.

Golf ball exercise: child sitting on a chair, Rolling a golf or tennis ball on the sole of his foot, Focusing on the lower arch of the foot for two to three minutes. The exercise is repeated with the other foot.

Foot arch exercise: This exercise may help strengthen the muscles responsible for forming the arch of the foot. Repeat this exercise 10-15 times in two or three sets.

Core strengthening exercises to increase stability.

Leg raise exercise: This exercise can be done to strengthen the leg muscles. By standing and raising the heels as much as possible for 5 seconds, And repeat it 10-20 times in two or three sets.

Bowed legs (thigh joint)

the definition :
Curvature of the legs is a common problem in children that affects the integrity of the bones of the legs to a large extent. The curvature of the legs appears when the child stands and joins the ankles together, so a large distance appears between both legs or between the knees, leading to an unhealthy and unaesthetic appearance that may affect the child’s psyche.

The curvature and deviation of the legs from each other appears more clearly in walking. Although children usually do not suffer from pain while walking, with time, if the legs continue to bow in children after the age of two years, the bow may be accompanied by lameness while walking and an inability to balance.

Types of curvature
Inward curvature of the legs: It is called Genu Valgum or Knock-knee, as it is difficult for the child to bring his feet together due to the proximity of his knees to each other and the distance of his feet at the same time.

Legs arched outward: It is called in English Genu varum or Bow-legs, where the child can join his feet, but there remains a large distance between his knees.

Pathological symptoms of curvature
Increased curvature after the age of two.
Asymmetry of the legs in terms of appearance
Decreased range of motion in the hips

Limping when walking

An increase in knee or hip and back pain.
Movement imbalance while walking and running

Short stature

Causes of bowed legs

Vitamin D deficiency
Calcium deficiency
Paget’s disease
Fluoride or lead poisoning
Blount’s disease
A knee joint fracture that has not been properly treated
Injury to the growth center around the knee joint
The presence of congenital deformities since birth
Rickets or osteomalacia
Obesity and obesity
Improper healing of fractures, particularly knee fractures
Physiotherapy for curvature patients

After the child undergoes curvature treatment, whether with vitamins or in some cases through surgical intervention, The child undergoes a rehabilitative physiotherapy program to strengthen the muscles and increase their flexibility to return the joint to a normal range of motion through exercises:
Hamstring extension

Groin extension
piriformis extension
exercises to improve balance
Short ligament stretching exercises
Weak muscle strengthening exercises