Foot defects are a significant factor affecting the posture and the overall physical condition of the body. In children, the skeleton of the foot and the shape of joint surfaces usually develop only up to the age of 10, and maximally until the age of 12. Meanwhile, up to 50 percent of children have postural disorders or deficiencies, including those affecting the feet. The most common lower limbs defects include pes planovalgus (flatfoot) and genu valgum (knock-knee).
Postural deformities may be innate, but they can also be acquired. The causes of problems can be found in poor habits such as low physical activity, incorrectly fitted shoes, and even inappropriate lighting. Pen planovalgus is a defect that manifests itself as a lowered arch of the foot and an outwardly turned heel. Patients affected by this problem may experience calf and foot pain as well as tiredness. Genu valgum, or knock-knees can be recognised by X-shaped legs – with the knees resting against each other, and a noticeable gap between the ankles.
Grzegorz Kluz, an orthopodiatrist at Medicover
Orthopaedic inserts for children
Orthopaedic inserts are one solution to lower limb disorders and defects. In adults, orthopaedic inserts, improve walking comfort, eliminate pain, and even help correct uneven limbs. In children, inserts can reduce or stop further development of foot disorders.
With the right type of exercise, active correction of foot posture is possible in children between the ages of four and seven, which should eventually supplement or replace passive correction (inserts and corrective footwear). This will allow in subsequent years to gradually reduce the correction, abandon the need for orthopaedic footwear, and eventually also for orthopaedic inserts. Only in the case of significant defects, inserts that improve the comfort of life are usually used permanently
Grzegorz Kluz, an orthopodiatrist at Medicover
Podoscopic examination, or how to properly assess the advancement of defects
A podoscopic examination allows for the preliminary diagnosis and very accurate anthropometric measurements to detect and assess the severity of the defect, and assess the effectiveness of orthopaedic supplies or therapy. Collaboration between the physician, physiotherapist and parents is fundamental. It is the guardians who are responsible for the young patient's compliance with all recommendations and for regularly changing the supplies
Grzegorz Kluz, an orthopodiatrist at Medicover
[1] Source: EPIDEMIOLOGIA WAD POSTAWY U DZIECI I MŁODZIEŻY [EPIDEMIOLOGY OF POSTURAL DEFECTS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS], author: mgr Katarzyna Maciałczyk – Paprocka, Wrocław 2013.