Foot malposition

introduction

All are called foot malpositions Deviations from the normal position of a human foot. The causes and characteristics can be very different. The most common known misalignments are the Arched feet, of the Flat foot, of the Arches foot and the splayfoot. The misalignments can occur without symptoms and have no consequences, or painful and cause misalignments of the legs. The causes range from congenital malpositions from improper stress to muscle weakness.

At a Arched feet flattens the otherwise hollow underside of the foot, the so-called "longitudinal arch of the foot". Does it come to the point that the Foot bends inwards and the Longitudinal vault Completely flat on the floor comes up, already exists Flat foot. With splayfoot, the metatarsal bones diverge. The symptoms and the causes are different from those of arched feet. The archesus is the exact opposite of the archesus and is often associated with a genetic cause.

root cause

The causes of foot deformities can be very numerous. A distinction must be made between congenital and acquired misalignments. Some of them represent congenital malformations that developed in the womb. Of the Clubfoot and the Sickle foot belong for example, whereby the sickle foot is a reversible defect.
Also a Arches foot is mostly innate. Above all, he is often genetically conditioned.

Another common cause are Muscle weakness, the one permanent incorrect pressure and tensile load exercise on the foot. This is especially the case with Flat and flat feet the case, but also with flat feet. The archesus can also be caused by weak muscles. Muscle weakness do not have to be innate, they can too self-inflicted by lack of training or incorrect loading the feet occur.

Splay feet and subsequently also the hallux valgus are very often with permanent improper load associated with the feet. Especially pointed and high shoes is suspected of permanently damaging the foot with such a foot deformity.

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Who am I?
My name is dr. Nicolas Gumpert. I am a specialist in orthopedics and the founder of .
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Athletes (joggers, soccer players, etc.) are particularly often affected by diseases of the foot. In some cases, the cause of the foot discomfort cannot be identified at first.
Therefore, the treatment of the foot (e.g. Achilles tendonitis, heel spurs, etc.) requires a lot of experience.
I focus on a wide variety of foot diseases.
The aim of every treatment is treatment without surgery with a complete recovery of performance.

Which therapy achieves the best results in the long term can only be determined after looking at all of the information (Examination, X-ray, ultrasound, MRI, etc.) be assessed.

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Further information about myself can be found at Dr. Nicolas Gumpert

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the type of foot deformity. Usually you can use the Deformation of the foot recognize externally, depending on how strong it is. If the patient tries to move or put weight on the foot despite the deformity, it can Movement or exercise-dependent pain cause.

About the Arches foot one recognizes this externally arches too high. Painful pressure points can develop on the back of the foot. In addition, you can Muscleswhose permanent stretching fails due to the misalignment, shorten and the Restrict freedom of movement. A consequence is a unphysiological and unsafe gait.

In the case of a flat arch, the deformities can vary in severity. In the case of a severe form, one speaks of Flat foot. If the soles of the feet are loaded, it can Metatarsal pain come. It is also usually more difficult for those affected to stand on their heels and especially on tiptoe.

The splayfoot, which is not uncommon Wearing high heels arises, rather brings rarely symptoms with himself. He mainly hires cosmetic problem In some cases the splayfoot can cause a so-called "hallux valgus“Arise. The toes pull themselves into a very crooked position. The body weight is shifted to the ball of the foot. Under certain circumstances, this can develop stress-dependent pain.

Forms of foot deformity

hallux valgus

Of the hallux valgus is a foot deformity in which the toes sag permanent, false loads get into an awkward position. Hallux refers to the Big toebecause of that Metatarsal bones is mainly from the Misalignment affected. Hallux valgus is very common Connection with splayfoot. The toes spread apart on the splayfoot and the ball area in the front foot widens. A tendon of the big toe, which originates from the metatarsus, does not expand with the spread of the ball of the foot outwards and pushes the big toe inwards. Due to the permanent tensile load on the central tendon, the bone continues to give way inward.

This, too, is to a large extent the cause of splayfoot and hallux valgus modern footwear. Pointed shoes do not conform to the normal shape of the foot and exercise you permanent pressure on your toes. A heel puts a strain on the ball of the foot and increases the problem.

Sickle foot

A Sickle foot is one common congenital malposition of the foot. Here the arches front foot inward and it comes to one Sickle shape of the feet. The cause is probably one Applying pressure in the womb due to lack of space in the uterus.

Over the years disappears the sickle foot normally through the growth of the child on its own. Deliberate bending of the foot into the normal position can be quite beneficial for regression.

Clubfoot

One Clubfoot can easily be recognized by the position of the feet, which is very different from the normal position. You are in turned down and in, where the The sole of the foot rotates towards the body is. The clubfoot represents one congenital malformation of the extremities which can have multiple causes in the womb.The foot can be deformed to varying degrees, but it must therapy as soon as possible to be started. This usually consists of one minor surgery and mainly conservative therapies, for example the Applying a plaster cast.

Exercises for foot deformities

Exercises that can be effective against some of the foot deformities are also called Foot exercise designated. The exercise is aimed primarily at one Strengthening the foot muscles and on the Increase in mobility in the joints. Many of the foot problems start in childhood because the child's foot is still very soft and can easily be deformed. Even the muscles of the arch of the foot are not yet strong and mature in childhood, which is why little movement can lead to early foot deformities. Children's feet also feel less restricted in poorly fitting and unphysiological shoes. It is therefore important to refer to the proper footwear but also to allow the foot as much freedom of movement as possible.

One of the exercises is, on walking barefoot on different terrain. Part of foot exercises, consciously different movements with the feet and toes execute. For example that Gripping objects using the toes strengthens the foot and its muscles. In children's gymnastics but also in some sports, for example ballet, exercises to strengthen the foot muscles are consciously performed. Also so-called "Barefoot parks“Can strengthen the foot by having to adapt to different terrain barefoot.

Consequences of a foot deformity

At congenital malpositions of the feet it depends on the type of deformity which treatment is given. A number of misalignments do not have to be treated, for example the sickle foot. They either recede after a short time or at the latest after they have grown in length, for example at school age. Depending on how serious the misalignment is, kick Pain on, or it comes to Unsteadiness or even to Bad posture of the body and Damage to the spine. Arch arches often go unnoticed until the child takes their first steps, but clubfoot requires treatment immediately after birth. However, the prognosis is very good for all congenital foot deformities. Even the serious form of clubfoot can almost completely remedy the misalignment after therapy.

However, one is regular check-ups by the doctor necessary because deformed feet can worsen again after the therapy.

At Foot malpositions that are not congenital are, is the The prognosis is generally worse. Become common orthopedic insoles prescribed, but the cause of the misalignment must also be corrected. A targeted strengthening of the foot muscles can help. Often, however, those affected complain persistent pain in the course of life. The malpositions also lead to over time Damage to the knee and back. The posture is also influenced. After Treatment of hallux valgus, the patient can usually walk normally with the help of an orthopedic shoe.

Which doctor should I go to?

At acquired foot deformities should be contacted as soon as possible Orthopedists turn. Often the process can be stopped before it gets worse and worse. Also at congenital malpositions can he Orthopedist in consultation with the pediatrician initiate therapy.

Foot malpositions in the baby

Various foot deformities can occur in newborn babies. A distinction must be made here between Limb malformations and deformations in the womb. The maximum likelihood of having a baby with some type of foot deformity is 2%.

Especially frequently it occurs in children harmless flat arched feetthat are not noticed until the child starts running. The longitudinal arch of the foot is flattened and the foot is slightly bent inwards. Often there is also one X position of the legs in front. Mostly are Muscle weakness the cause in early childhood. The usually harmless foot deformity fixes usually up to school age by growing by itself. It can help run the children barefoot as much as possible.

Of the Flat foot is an extreme form of arch arches, but it is rarely congenital. Both foot deformities often occur when the parents were also affected.

Of the Sickle foot occurs as congenital malposition of the foot which, however, can also be classified as rather harmless. It is believed that by Lack of space and other factors in the womb the unborn child's foot remains in a constrained position. The foot arches inwards and appears like a sickle. The sickle position almost always balances itself out in the course of growth. Still should the foot regularly examined by the attending physician become. If this foot misalignment persists, it can lead to unsteady gait.

Of the Equinus foot, hook foot and Clubfoot represent foot deformities that are classified as Result of developmental disorders in the womb have arisen. The causes for this can vary and range from neurological development disorders to mechanical influence on the unborn child.

Of the Clubfoot is a relatively common disorder. The foot is there arched downwards and inwards and often occurs on both sides. Clubfoot is not a simple misalignment of the foot, but lies Deformities of the joints and bony changes in front. This is why it is often discovered in the ultrasound during pregnancy. Because it if left untreated, severe impairment of movement must come after the birth therapy started as soon as possible become. Operations are not always necessary. Treatment mainly consists of the Apply a tight plaster castwhich is changed every week.

At the Equinus and at Heel foot can also Pressure loads may be the cause in the womb, but more common is one Incorrect development of the foot or lower leg. With equinus foot, the foot is clearly hyperextended and the heel hardly touches down when running. With the heel foot, the foot is strongly stretched upwards so that the toe almost touches the shin. Both misalignments can lead to considerable pain, poor posture of the body, unsteady gait, such as Spinal damage to lead. If the misalignments do not resolve on their own, treatment with a plaster cast can also take place here.