Foot deformities in children: causes and therapy
Foot malpositions should be corrected quickly, because our feet form the foundation of our body. If something is wrong with them, it affects the entire musculoskeletal system. We give you an overview of foot deformities, their causes and how they can be treated.
What foot deformities are there?
Our children’s little feet also consist of 28 bones, 107 ligaments and 19 muscles. The complex structure of these body parts also brings with it many complaints and, above all, foot malpositions. Many also occur in combination with each other. The most common foot deformities are:
- Kneefoot : The heels are slanted, tilting the foot inward.
- Flat feet : The longitudinal arch of the foot is flattened.
- Hollow feet : The longitudinal arch of the foot is elevated.
- Clubfoot : The child walks on the edge of the foot or even on the back of the foot. Complete healing is possible with therapy immediately after birth.
- Heel feet : The back of the foot is pulled towards the shin. The cause is usually a lack of space before birth, which is why healing often occurs spontaneously shortly after birth.
- Sickle feet : Toes and forefoot turned inward. The cause can be babies lying on their stomachs, this foot deformity must be treated.
- Flat feet : The sole of the foot lies flat on the ground due to flattening of the longitudinal arch. Flat feet are congenital but very rare.
- Flat feet : An X-position of the heel and flattening of the inner arch of the foot. They are the most common foot deformity in children, but usually grow together by school age. However, if they are still present in adulthood, they should be treated.
- Claw toes : Hyperextension of the metatarsophalangeal joint with the middle and toe end joints flexed.
- Hammer Toe : Isolated, maximum flexion of the toe pivot.
Causes of foot deformities
A small proportion of foot deformities are hereditary or related to injury, but most problems come from the wrong footwear . Many babies wear shoes that are the wrong size far too early . Since children’s feet are still soft and malleable, the little ones often hardly notice that the shoe doesn’t fit. For example, if the heel has no support, the toes slide forward and become compressed. They try to cling to the shoe. This is how claw toes develop, for example. Even synthetic shoes and socks are of no help here, they promote foot problems such as sweaty feet .
prevent foot deformities
You should start promoting movement as early as possible so that your baby’s feet grow healthily and remain resilient.
- Timing for shoes: Babies should wear shoes as late as possible. So they can walk barefoot a lot and have as many “ground experiences” as possible. So make sure that your child runs over many different surfaces and also trains its muscles, ligaments and tendons on uneven floors. In this way, you can prevent foot malpositions at a very early stage.
- Buying shoes: When buying shoes you have to make sure that the shoes fit exactly . Special measuring devices are helpful here. You should avoid the “thumb test” as it is imprecise depending on the shoe. In general, it is important that at least twelve millimeters are added to the effective length of your child’s foot. You can also just draw the outline of the foot on cardboard, cut it out and take it with you when you go shopping.
Measures for foot malpositions
If you have foot deformities, you should seek advice from a doctor. Orthopedic shoe inserts or playful foot gymnastics often help . Especially with flat feet, which occur very often in children, a so-called “anatomically intelligent movement” can strengthen your child’s mobility and promote well-being. Depending on the severity of the foot malposition, however, corrective plaster casts, splints, custom-made shoes or physiotherapy may also be necessary. Surgery should only be considered if none of these measures help.